St Mary's Church
Getting here
50.92949, -2.18833
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
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
- ☀️Summer family visits work well here — arrive early and plan for a longer stay
- 🛝Playground 257m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
- ☀️Summer family visits work well here — arrive early and plan for a longer stay
- 🛝Playground 257m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site
Good to know
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
Best for
Wildlife
Very strong match
Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles
Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Woodpigeon, Mallard, Blackbird +60 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Mallard, Blackbird +60 more · last seen 2025
Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Dark-edged Bee-fly, Dotted Bee-fly, Red Admiral +61 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Dark-edged Bee-fly, Dotted Bee-fly, Red Admiral +61 more · last seen 2026
Playgrounds
Strong match
playground
Family friendly
Good match
playground
Dog walks
Good match
Dogs allowed with public access
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶Walking
7 signed routes nearby · 4 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Walking
Fontmell Down walk, Fontmell and Melbury DownsWalking route1.6 km
The down has open access, so you can explore the whole area. The well-used paths and tracks include steep slopes, with uneven surfaces which become muddy and slippery after wet weather.
Melbury Beacon walk, Fontmell and Melbury DownsWalking route3.7 km
The down has open access, so you can explore the whole area. The well-used paths and tracks include steep slopes, with uneven surfaces that become muddy and slippery after wet weather. Dogs are welcome under close control, as livestock grazes the down.
Hod Hill circular walk, Hod HillWalking route1.6 km
Hod Hill is a steep climb to the ramparts of the hillfort, followed by a moderately level walk.
Hod Hill butterfly walk, Hod HillWalking route1.6 km
Easiest approach involves one steep slope, alternative approach is gentler but longer. Site itself is level but uneven with little mud. Dogs welcome, but cattle are on the hill in summer and sheep in winter.
Wessex RidgewayWalking route
🚴Cycling
30 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Cycling
Route 25Cycling route
National BywayCycling route
North Dorset TrailwayCycling route
National Cycle Network 250Cycling route
North Dorset Cycle WayCycling route
National Byway Dorset LoopCycling route
🚵Mountain biking
1 signed route nearby
Signed route nearby
Mountain biking
Wessex Ridgeway TrailMountain bike route
🐴Horse riding
2 public paths nearby
Public paths
Horse riding
No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.
Wildlife to spot
Photos
Weather for this location
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Nearby places
Useful places within 5 km
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