Glade
← Back⛪ Religious grounds

St Thomas's Church

📷 Maigheach-gheal · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Getting here

50.96042, -2.23874

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

  • 🌞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
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

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

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Blue Tit +48 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Blue Tit +48 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Green-veined White +34 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Green-veined White +34 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Bluebell · last seen 2017; Plants — Bluebell · last seen 2017

Free

Heritage

Religious grounds — local heritage

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 16 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
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.

Named routeLength 1.6 kmDuration 00:45Round tripLocal walking route
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.

Named routeLength 3.7 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
Wessex RidgewayWalking route
Named routeRef WRRegional walking route
Stour Valley WayWalking route100 km
Named routeRef SVWLength 100 kmRegional walking route
Bleax Closepublic footpath · 47 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 47 mPath type: service
🚴

Cycling

28 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 25Cycling route
Named routeRef 25National Cycle Network
National BywayCycling route
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
National Cycle Network 250Cycling route
Named routeRef 250National Cycle Network
North Dorset Cycle WayCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
National Byway Dorset LoopCycling route
Named routeRef NB LoopLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route1.4 km
Named routeRef 25Length 1.4 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

1 public path nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Lych gate, St Thomas's Church, East Orchard

📷 Maigheach-gheal · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Lych gate, St Thomas's Church, East Orchard

1 / 16

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦Melbury Beacon and circular enclosure on Melbury HillHistoric site4.4 km→✦Cross dyke and linear boundary on Melbury Hill and Compton DownHistoric site4.8 km→✦Two cross dykes on Fontmell Down, 850m and 880m south east of Gourd's FarmHistoric site4.8 km→⛪St Andrew's ChurchReligious grounds3.3 km→⛪St Peter's ChurchReligious grounds5 km→⛪St Margaret's ChurchReligious grounds1.2 km→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: 336795bf-e40b-4b96-920c-de1aae11b8ca