Glade
← Back✦ Historic site

Roman road over Thorncombe Wood and Black Heath

10 ha

📷 Nigel Mykura · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeHeritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome10 ha

Getting here

50.73024, -2.37213

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦71+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blue Tit and Blackbird
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

7 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Blue Tit, Blackbird, Robin +68 more · last seen 2026; Lowland heathland — Dartford warblers, nightjars and stonechats

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Blue Tit, Blackbird, Robin +68 more · last seen 2026; Lowland heathland priority habitat

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Lowland heathland — silver-studded blue and heath fritillary butterflies; Insects — Rhododendron Leafhopper, Green Tiger Beetle, Minotaur Beetle +16 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 9 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Jubilee Trail (Dorset)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
The Hardy WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Frome Valley WayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Hardy’s cottage to Max GateWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

42 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 2Cycling route

National Cycle Route 2 Christchurch to Axminster

Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Frome Valley Cycle TrailCycling route

Dorset trail

Named routeRef FVTLocal cycle route
Route 26Cycling route
Named routeRef 26National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network Route 26Cycling route
Named routeRef 26National Cycle Network
Purbeck RideCycling route
Named routeRef 6Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route148 m
Named routeRef 26Length 148 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

13 public paths nearby

Public paths
Black Bottombridleway · 950 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 950 mSurface gravelPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Roman Road, Puddletown Forest

📷 Nigel Mykura · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Roman Road, Puddletown Forest

1 / 18

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🦉THORNCOMBE WOODNature reserve1.1 km→✦TOWN WALKS, DORCHESTERHistoric site4.8 km→✦Dorchester Roman wallsHistoric site5 km→✦KINGSTON MAURWARDHistoric site2.4 km→🌱Knighton Reserve SANGUrban park4 km→🌱Fordington GreenUrban park4.4 km→