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← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

The Withy Bed

✦ Ancient woodland11 ha
WildlifeBirdsInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome11 ha

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
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird +70 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird +70 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Small White, Lunar Underwing, Large Yellow Underwing +100 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Small White, Lunar Underwing, Large Yellow Underwing +100 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

14 signed routes nearby · 2 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Ferndown, Stour and Forest TrailWalking route
Named route
Kingston Lacy walk at Holt Heath, Kingston LacyWalking route9.6 km

The bridleways and footpaths can become rutted, with the eastern sector in part on elevated ground crossing the important heathland mire. Grazing of animals is part of the management of this rare habitat, so dogs should be kept under effective control. St

Named routeLength 9.6 kmDuration 03:00Round tripLocal walking route
Walk at Badbury Rings and The Oaks, Kingston LacyWalking route6.1 km

Grass, undulating and rough in parts, gravel tracks, easy ascents and descents.

Named routeLength 6.1 kmDuration 02:00Round tripLocal walking route
Walk at Eye Bridge and Pamphill, Kingston LacyWalking route5.4 km

Grass, undulating and rough in parts, gravel tracks, easy ascents and descents.

Named routeLength 5.4 kmDuration 02:00Round tripLocal walking route
Walk at Pamphill Green and Moor, Kingston LacyWalking route2.8 km

Grass, gravel tracks and a short stretch on a path, undulating and rough in parts, with easy ascents and descents. The walk may be wet in winter.

Named routeLength 2.8 kmDuration 01:00Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

69 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 25Cycling route
Named routeRef 25National Cycle Network
Leigh Road Wimborne RoadCycling route
Named routeRef S5Local cycle route
Kingston Lacy Woodland TrailCycling route
Named route
National Route 256Cycling route
Named routeRef 256National Cycle Network
North Dorset Cycle WayCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Kingston Lacy Woodland TrailCycling route
Named route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Gaunt's House Lodge - Autumn 2007

Gaunt's House Lodge - Autumn 2007

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