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St Mary's Church

📷 Mike Searle · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Getting here

50.74823, -2.34337

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking 96m away — 12 car parks within reach

Good to know

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

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Firecrest, Hobby +91 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Firecrest, Hobby +91 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Large White +34 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Large White +34 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Hiking

Named hiking route nearby: The Hardy Way

Free

Heritage

Religious grounds — local heritage

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 8 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

15 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 2Cycling route

National Cycle Route 2 Christchurch to Axminster

Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Lawrence RideCycling route
Named routeRef 4Local cycle route
Purbeck RideCycling route
Named routeRef 6Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route95 m
Named routeRef 2Length 95 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route707 m
Named routeRef 2Length 707 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route70 m
Named routeRef 2Length 70 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

3 public paths nearby

Public paths
Rod Hill Lanebridleway · 2.2 km
Public pathbridlewayLength 2.2 kmPath type: track
Rod Hill Lanebridleway · 54 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 54 mPath type: service

Wildlife to spot

Photos

St Mary's church, Puddletown - the Athelhampton Chantry restoration - finale (9)

📷 Mike Searle · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

St Mary's church, Puddletown - the Athelhampton Chantry restoration - finale (9)

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🦉THORNCOMBE WOODNature reserve3.8 km→✦ATHELHAMPTONHistoric site1.1 km→🌱Thomas Hardy GardenUrban park3.6 km→✦Roman road over Thorncombe Wood and Black HeathHistoric site2.9 km→✦tumulusHistoric site3.6 km→🌱Orchard MeadowUrban park3.7 km→

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