DOCSLIB.ORG

Wareham Town Walk 1.5 M

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Wareham Town Walk 1.5 M Saxon Wareham - situated on a low ridge between the Rivers Frome and Piddle The essential 20p and built on a site that was occupied as far back as the Iron Age. visitors' guide to Ages were a period of slow but inevitable decline, as the river silted up and trade transferred to the new port of Poole. The Civil War in the 17th Wareham Century was a turbulent time A Saxon walled town for Wareham. The town changed hands several times and it was Parliamentary forces who removed masonry from the defensive walls and reduced them to half their previous height. St. Martin's Church Like many other towns at that time, Wareham’s centre consisted of a close-packed mass of buildings, many built of timber and thatched. As a result, it suffered from a succession of fires, the worst being in 1762, when over 140 Wareham became established buildings were destroyed. In as an important cross Channel consequence, no new thatched THE port in Saxon times and the buildings were allowed and Quay in those days would have those few thatched roofs still in been a very busy place. In 876 existence mark the boundaries the town was captured by the of the fire. Wareham in Bloom Danes, and as a result of this HILandL similar attacks, was one of Wareham men were involved in a number of Wessex towns that the Monmouth Rebellion of ABBOT’S QUAY were subsequently defended by 1685 and in the aftermath five high walls. rebels were executed at Bloody The Walls Walk Bank, on West Walls, by order This walk describes the history of the walls together After the Norman Conquest, a of Judge Jeffreys. with details of wild flowers and birds to be seen castle was constructed near the bank of the Frome, now only In recognition of its historical along the way. the original mound remains. importance, Wareham has been After the prosperous times of designated an outstanding Saxon England, when Wareham Conservation Area and over The Town Walk was one of the most important two hundred buildings are Discover Wareham by following this walk which towns in Dorset and could listed as being of architectural describes points of interest throughout the town. boast of two mints, the Middle interest. Church Green Explore . The Walls Walk Full of history, river and countryside walks, great pubs and Wareham Town Walls were originally built restaurants, accommodation and lots of interesting shops to in Saxon times to defend the town from browse around. Also in town are grocery stores and butchers so attacks against the Vikings. you can get everything you need whilst shopping locally. The Walls surround the heart of From here there are extensive the town on three sides (the views over the flood plain of fourth side being defended by the River Piddle and beyond The rare Cetti's warbler the River Frome) and date from towards Wareham Forest. Markets The the 9th century. They now form Below the Walls the river Walls there is an area of open (Usually held in the mornings) a delightful walk around the meanders across Wareham space which was used for fairs Town Hall town. Common. The lush vegetation in the 18th century. Here, there Thursdays On the site of the of the river banks provides is a rectangular area Produce & Flower Auction and Market, present Town Hall Park in Streche Road Car Park nesting habitat for water birds surrounded by low banks called Cottees, East Steet there has been the and follow the Walls Walk signs. such as the Cetti’s warbler, the Bowling Green, although it is not known if it was ever used Home Producers Market, Norman Church of St. The walk takes about 45 moorhen and mallard. In for this purpose. The River United Reformed Church, Church Street Peter, a Guild Hall, minutes. See map overleaf. summer, house martins and Town Jail and swifts fly over the water feeding Piddle flows beneath the Walls Farmers Market, Corn Exchange, Town Cross butcher’s shop. The middle section of West on insects and use the historic at this point and continues (Fortnightly) Walls is known as Bloody Bank buildings as breeding sites. downstream to Poole Harbour. The Town Hall was From here walk south to East Saturdays completely rebuilt in after a number of executions Continue along the North Walls which took place there. Today it past the church of St. Edward Street along the top of East Market, Wareham Quay 1870 with funds Walls. entirely contributed is the best place to see wild the Martyr, down Shatters Hill Farmers' Markets flowers. Look out for the and turn right into North Street. by the public. The Cross East Street and continue Look out for Famers' Markets where you can buy The Town Hall purplish-blue flowers of wild From here walk towards the building was designed south along the Walls which fresh produce direct from the supplier, including clary, minute yellow flowers of town centre, cross the road and by the well known fade out into a leafy lane. This the divine Dorset Blue Vinny cheese, scrumptious lady’s bedstraw, white turn left back towards St. architect C R Crickmay to whom Thomas Hardy point marks the end of the Walls. Dorset Apple Cakes and locally produced was articled. Today the Town Hall Council umbrella-shaped flower heads Martin’s Church and the War chutneys and jams. Chamber is still used for Council Meetings and is of wild carrot and many species Memorial. Turn right at the of butterfly. Church and walk along Lady’s To return to your starting point, licensed for Weddings & Civil Partnerships. turn right into Conniger Lane Auction The Corn Exchange is used for social functions Walk. At the end, turn left into Tuesday. Antiques and Collectables Walk along the top of the walls St. Martin’s Lane and then right, which runs between two and Farmers' Markets. For further information Graveyards. From the Graveyard fortnightly at Cottees, East Street. please contact 01929 553006. towards the north end and turn back onto the Town Walls. right onto North Walls. Where North Walls meet East there are impressive views across the Frome Valley towards Redcliffe. Walk towards Lady St. Mary’s Church and from here follow the Town Walk from point 15 to 4. Guided walls walk every Wednesday morning during the school summer holidays starting at the Discover Purbeck Information Centre, South Street, Wareham. Wareham's Saturday Market Council Chamber, Town Hall West Walls, known as Bloody Bank Bere ROAD Regis P Car Parks PO Post Office BERE SANDFORD One Way Streets M Town Walk, (approx. 20 IS ROAD T O mins detailed below) V E Public Houses R R O Walls Walk, (approx. 45 A D Telephone Boxes mins detailed overleaf) PC JOHN’S Public Convenience CAREY ROAD LANE Access points to Two ROAD JOHN’S SANDFORHIBBS D Wareham Museum Rivers Walks, Wareham ROAD M Forest Way, Purbeck Way CL TAXI OSE Taxi ranks and Purbeck Way West TAXI Railway 1 Places of interest Northport Greenway Walk 5 7 Station 3 (detailed below) A P h t u The Wareham Forest Way starts at the Quay, is twelve o Y CLOSE m USEWA miles long and ends in Sturminster Marshall. The Purbeck CA e n r Way also starts at the Quay and offers fifteen miles u o of walking through spectacular landscapes. Leaflets NORTH B / e available at Discover Purbeck Information Centre. l CA o USEW o P A four walks pack showing the routes of these walks is A Y available from the Discover Purbeck Information Centre. t en Tr NORTH r e o North Bridge ddl Pi CA River USEW A Area known as Y Discover Purbeck Information n Bowling Green o n o m m Centre m E DW alks o W m ARD C o CRES C Rivers m CL FOLL Two a m The Library, South Street, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4LU. a MOUNT PLEASANT NUNDICO h h MARTIN’S Y NORTH e e ST. LANE r r S Tel: 01929 552740. (answerphone when Centre closed). a E a Wareham L R t W IL alk C s 6 D , H W ST R e W ’s A Email: [email protected] r Common le ’S EDW BESTW o d R Lady . F Pid E MARTIN’S NUNDICO River T Website: www.visitswanageandpurbeck.co.uk am T W eh A areham War St. Edward Church of ALL F H orest S The Martyr St. Martin Walks Make the most of your holiday! W Church (RC) (C of E) ROAD ay LANE Rivers ASS LANE wo Rugby Call in, telephone or write to the Discover Purbeck Information Centre. -P BRIXEY’S T Y M B Two O Club Rivers CL ’S R W ALLS E Friendly staff will help you with information on where to stay, what to do, alks W T COOPER O N places to visit, entertainment and events. AREHAM NORTH BONNET ’ S W L A DOLLIN’S LANE N Many FREE leaflets and guides available including the Swanage & Purbeck E TINKER LANE Health ’S Holiday Guide. MILL NORTH STREET ROPER LANE Wareham Centre Methodist ’S ORCHARD ’S BELL LANE Church LANE Common • Guidebooks • maps • postcards • greetings cards • stamps • gifts • LANE Wareham ’S CARRION Hospital LANE booking service for accommodation, ferries and local events. W st areham WEST P Purbeck Way We THE OPENING HOURS Evangelical P LANE W Church ’S ARD CROFT SUMMER ALLS PO W HOW BESTWALL ROAD BESTW MONMOUTH Monday 9.30am - 5.00pm. ar W LANE P eh TAXI am Forest W alls ay and Purb COW KNIGHTST ec ALL Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Wareham Two Rivers Walks
    THE WAREHAM Two Rivers Walks TWO RIVERS WALKS The Two Rivers Walks journey through beautiful ecologically-rich areas as they wind alongside the River Frome and the River Piddle. These two rivers flow through Wareham into Poole harbour, one of the largest natural Wareham to Swineham point harbours in the world, and support a wide variety of stunning flora and fauna. Along this walk experience: - Incredible Biodiversity The two rivers walks travel through designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The combination of soil type, wet areas, tidal flooding and land management has supported the rich ecology and biodiversity for which the area is renowned. This area supports 40,000 birds in the winter, and a wonderful variety of birds can be seen throughout the year such as lapwings, redshanks and kingfishers. It is not uncommon to see otters along this route and hear River Piddle fisheries the ‘plop’ of a shy water vole dive into the water before being seen. The rivers also support a variety of fish such as Ragged Robin trout and salmon which spend much of their life at sea but return to healthy rivers to breed. - Archaeological History The stunning landscape that can be viewed along the walk has been shaped by human activity throughout the ages. Excavations have shown that the area has been used by humans for thousands of years, with relics being found that show there were once Bronze Age settlements here. River Frome reed bed The rich natural resources that were in this area, such as clay, stone and chalk were what would have once attracted settlers to Wareham.
    [Show full text]
  • 135. Dorset Heaths Area Profile: Supporting Documents
    National Character 135. Dorset Heaths Area profile: Supporting documents www.naturalengland.org.uk 1 National Character 135. Dorset Heaths Area profile: Supporting documents Introduction National Character Areas map As part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment White Paper,1 Biodiversity 20202 and the European Landscape Convention,3 we are revising profiles for England’s 159 National Character Areas North (NCAs). These are areas that share similar landscape characteristics, and which East follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment. Yorkshire & The North Humber NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform West their decision-making about the places that they live in and care for. The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a East landscape scale, inform the delivery of Nature Improvement Areas and encourage Midlands broader partnership working through Local Nature Partnerships. The profiles will West also help to inform choices about how land is managed and can change. Midlands East of Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features England that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each London area’s characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental South East Opportunity (SEOs) are suggested, which draw on this integrated information. South West The SEOs offer guidance on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future.
    [Show full text]
  • A Thought from the Vicarage
    August 2000 THE PARISHES of BERE REGIS The Venerable Graham Roblin OBE and AFFPUDDLE with The Vicarage, Bere Regis, TURNERSPUDDLE BH20 7HQ Tel: (01929) 471262 August 2000 A THOUGHT FROM THE VICARAGE BARBECUED FOR JESUS Rather selfishly I thank God for perverse things. I thank God for rain on days that I am expected to be in the garden. I thank God for cold threatening evenings in August when otherwise I would be expected to barbecue. My list of perverse hopes is quite extensive, but I keep it close to my heart. To barbecue is American. To barbecue is masculine. (Men do it.) It has even been shortened in conversation to "barbee". It does remarkably little for me, but you would never know this by looking at my face as I tip the charcoal into the rusted receptacle and leap away from the cloud of dust. The granite smile on my face remains constant through the whole excruciating performance. So it was with a slight wryness that I discovered that the patron saint of Affpuddle was barbecued. This indicated that barbecuing was not always "a good thing". I only mention this because this month, on the 10th, we remember this gruesome event. St Laurence was barbecued on 10th August AD 258. Not being influenced by America, they didn't use the word "barbee", but used the expression "roasted on a grid iron". But worse is to come. It was written down that in the middle of his torment, he addressed his torturer, "I am roasted enough on this side, turn me around and eat".
    [Show full text]
  • Wareham Forest
    Useful contacts: Rights of Way/Countryside Access Officer 01305 221000 Wareham Forest Way Discover Purbeck Information Centre (Wareham) 01929 552740 Tourist Information Centre (Wimborne) 01202 886116 Forestry Commission (Wareham Office) 0300 067 4600 Open Access Wareham to Sturminster Marshall - 13 miles (20.8km) Parts of Wareham Forest are mapped as open access land. Look out for the access symbol shown right. For more information visit gov.uk/right-of-way-access-land Footpaths and Bridleways Footpaths are for the use of pedestrians only and will be signposted by: Bridleways are for the use of pedestrians, cyclists and horse River Piddle riders and will be signposted by: Other walking leaflets available: Wareham Two Rivers Walks, Purbeck Way, Purbeck Way West Route and Lawrence of Arabia Trail. Photo credits: Richard Elston - English Nature and Nicholas James. Please note: The representation of a track or path is no evidence of a public right of way. This is not a Definitive Map of Rights of Way and has no legal status. Users of all routes shown in this leaflet do so entirely at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety, and the safety of others using the same route. We cannot guarantee that all routes will be passable, particularly in wet weather. Wareham Common Whilst every care has been taken in the production of this leaflet, Dorset Council cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Large print leaflets are available on request. Please call 01929 557237 for further information. Designed 2010. Updated by Dorset Council 2019.
    [Show full text]
  • PHCI Catchment Plan
    Catchment Plan Update – May 2014 www.pooleharbourcatchment.co.uk t Dorset Fi es she W ri & es le A d s d s i o P c , i e a t i m o o n r F Saving Our Game Fish Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 The Frome and Piddle pilot engagement process 6 3 Catchment background 8 4 Agreed key issues 12 4.1 Nitrogen 16 4.2 Phosphorus 20 4.3 Sediment 24 4.4 Channel and habitat alterations 28 4.5 Water quantity 32 4.6 Additional pressures and opportunities 36 5 Identifying the high risk areas in the catchment 38 6 Solutions 40 6.1 Development of long list 40 6.2 Development of short list 42 6.3 Development of the recommended actions 42 6.4 Development of the Action Plan 45 7 Review and monitoring 49 8 Conclusions 49 9 Action Plan 50 10 Frequently asked questions 52 Acknowledgements 53 Appendicies 54 I. Progress update – 2013 54 II. WFD table 55 • Key abbreviations Catchment Plan Defra Department for Environment, Food and NFU National Farmers Union This document, containing information about the Rural Affairs CLA Country Landowners and Business Poole Harbour Catchment Initiative is due to be Ofwat The Water Services Regulation Authority Association updated every five years or when required. SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest DWT Dorset Wildlife Trust Action Plan Summary document containing the SPA Special Protection Area FC Forestry Commission actions agreed by the Poole Harbour Catchment SAC Special Area of Conservation DWR Dorset Wild Rivers Initiative, is updated annually.
    [Show full text]
  • Wareham Forest Way Wareham Forest Way
    Wareham Forest Way Wareham Forest Way Wareham Forest Way is just over 13 miles long and follows public rights of way and minor roads between Wareham and Sturminster Marshall. Alternatively, you can start the Wareham to Sturminster Marshall - 13 miles walk at the northern end of the route. Wildlife Watching The heathy slopes of Woolsbarrow Hill Fort are an important wildlife habitat, but the species it supports are sensitive to disturbance and tend to be elusive. In spring you may be lucky enough to spot sand lizards basking on the heather and Dartford warblers perching on gorse branches. At dawn and dusk throughout summer, you may catch a glimpse of nightjar hunting for insects and listen for the distinct churring song of the male birds within the wooded section of the forest. You may also see grey squirrels, River Piddle woodpeckers, woodlark, treecreepers, birds of prey and sika Sand Lizard deer during you visit. Horse Riding Horse riders are welcome to use the Wareham Forest Way where bridleways exist on the route. Following the Wareham Forest Way The route is waymarked with various signs and markers, all showing the distinctive pine cone logo shown below. Some Wareham Common sections of the path become muddy in winter. Although this leaflet includes a map, you are advised to take along O.S. Landranger (1:50.000) sheet 195, Bournemouth and Purbeck Wareham Forest map. Sturminster Marshall Wareham Forest Public Transport Information A waymarked walk through some of the less well known landscapes in the north Purbeck area. If you do not want to walk the return journey, why not Green hairstreak walk one way and return by bus via Poole? Designed by Purbeck District Council butterfly on bluebells Purbeck Heritage The Purbeck Heritage Committee was formed in response to the challenge to maintain Purbeck as a healthy and thriving environment Section 1 (approx 7 miles) which can be enjoyed by residents and visitors in years to come.
    [Show full text]
  • RSPB SOUTH DORSET LOCAL GROUP NEWSLETTER No 71 September 2017
    RSPB SOUTH DORSET LOCAL GROUP NEWSLETTER No 71 September 2017 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no.SC037654 The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We also play a leading role in a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations. The RSPB is a member of BirdLife International, a partnership of conservation organisations working to give nature a home around the world. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southdorset 1 MESSAGE FROM THE GROUP COMMITTEE Thank you to all our local group members for supporting the committee through the last year, with a special thank you to those who attended indoor and outdoor events and the Annual General Meeting. We have had an interesting and wide ranging series of talks this season with virtual visits to Australia, France, Islay, Zimbabwe and reviews of English wildlife and bird adaptations. Luckily in this part of the country the mostly successful Outdoor meetings are only sometimes affected by challenging weather; and some favourite sightings have been a group of determined goosanders being mobbed by gulls as they tried to fish at Ferrybridge, and a colourful crossbill at Wareham Forest being lit up by a fleeting ray of sunshine, a definite “wow” moment. If you miss a meeting or outing then a report is quickly posted on the group website.
    [Show full text]
  • Wareham Forest Wa Y Timber Or Repairing Tracks
    Slepe Farm Emergency info Explore our trails Name & grid ref. for key locations: Key to map Sika Trail car park, SY906893 Chitten Hill N Nearest access road: Bere Road Woodlark Trail Car park Road The Sika Trail 3 km (2 miles) Nearest A&E hospital facilities: 11 km (7 miles) Picnic area Forest road Poole Hospital, Longfleet Road, Sherford FarmAllow 45 mins - 1 hour Poole, Dorset, BH5 2JB. Allow 1 hourMorden Park Sherford Viewpoint Public rights of way Cottages Grade:Bridge Easy T: 01202 665 511 0m Grade: Moderate 200 400 In case of an emergency Follow waymarked posts around 600 800 1km Follow blue waymarked a loop which starts and finishes call 999. posts on the ground. This Inform the Forestry Commission. Morden Park at the Sika Trail car park. This T: 0300 067 4600 trail has good surfaces route has good surfaces and and is suitable for most Gore Heath Explore Middle some gentle hills along the way. Bridgecycling abilities. Morden Beg Lawson’s Clump National Nature Reserve Car Park A working Private Land Old Decoy Pond forest... Decoy Please remember we could be Sewage House The Decoy Great Ovens doing potentially dangerous things Works Hill Decoy Heath such as cutting down trees, moving WarehamWareham Forest Wa y timber or repairing tracks. For Morden Heath your own safety, please follow Gore Hill all forestry warning signs. Fort Wareham Forest Woolsbarrow Parsons Forest Pleasure Memorial Forest Sandford Discover the famous heaths and Bridge Old Ran Cycle woods of the Dorset countryside... (BSs) Code Old Ram Plantation Northport Northport Access Don’t rely on others Stroud Bridge Birchwood Can you get home safely? Wareham Forest Heath Explore miles of tracks which take you through Toursit Park Tourist Park Carry the right equipment beautiful and ancient landscapes, where if you and know how to use it.
    [Show full text]
  • Purbeck Heritage Strategy 2010-2015
    Purbeck Heritage Strategy 2010-2015 RBEC U K P H E E R I TA G Thriving communities in balance with the natural environment Purbeck Heritage Strategy Arne • Web: www.purbeck.gov.uk • Reception: 0199 556561 Purbeck Heritage Strategy Message from the Chairman This strategy sets out the framework for action by the Purbeck Heritage Committee over the next five years. It has been produced thanks to the input from a wide range of organisations and individuals, who have contributed to workshops and responded to an early consultation about the key topics to include. Delivery of the strategy requires us all to work together – the role of partners is central to achieving this. The way in which partners have contributed to implementation of the previous strategies demonstrates that we can improve life in Purbeck and keep it special. As new opportunities become available, we need to be able to respond collectively to them in order that Purbeck may benefit. This strategy sets out issues to resolve and opportunities to grasp. It also provides a framework of policy and actions which can ensure that these issues are resolved and the opportunities taken, as well as allowing for adaptation to rapid and potentially unexpected changes in our environment and communities over the next five years. Professor Vincent May Chairman Web: www.purbeck.gov.uk Reception: 0199 556561 Purbeck Heritage Strategy Executive summary This strategy aims to guide the work of partners on the Purbeck Heritage Committee over the next five years, and build on the successes that have been achieved since the previous strategy was published.
    [Show full text]
  • Poole Harbour & Purbeck Catchment Management
    N P ~ i\-S o 0 4 U tAj-aab 3 2-0 P k o r H s - POOLE HARBOUR & PURBECK r v - s . o r CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN CONSULTATION REPORT ... '' NRA National Rivers Authority South Western Region November 1995 NRA Copyright Waiver This report is intended to be used widely, and may be quoted, copied or reproduced in any way, provided that the extracts are not quoted out of context and that due acknowledgement is given to the National Rivers Authority. Published November 1995 Cover Illustration : Corfe Castle and the southern shores of Poole Harbour © Dave Cooling The NRA and the Environment Agency The National Rivers Authority will form the major part of a new organisation which will have responsibilities for the environmental protection of water, land and air. The new Environment Agency starts its work of managing the environment in England and Wales on April 1 1996. >4. Awarded for cxcellcnce POOLE HARBOUR & PURBECK CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN CONSULTATION REPORT YOUR VIEWS Poole Harbour & Purbeck is the third Catchment Management Plan (CMP) produced by the South Wessex Area of the National Rivers Authority (NRA). CMPs will be produced for all catchments in England and Wales by 1998. Public consultation allows people who live in or use the catchment to have a say in the development of NRA plans and work programmes. This Consultation Report is our initial view of the issues facing the catchment. We welcome your ideas on the future management of this catchment: • Have we identified all the issues ? • Have we identified all the options for solutions ? Have you any comments on the issues and options listed ? • Do you have any other information or views which you wish to bring to our attention ? This is your opportunity to influence our future plans.
    [Show full text]
  • H R a O F P U R B E C K P L a N R E V I
    HRA of Purbeck Plan Review HRA of Purbeck Plan Review Date: 23rd January 2015 Version: Issues and Options Recommended Citation: Liley, D. (2014). Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Partial Review of the Purbeck Local Plan Part 1. Footprint Ecology. HRA of Purbeck Plan Review Summary This report provides the Habitats Regulations Assessment of the plan review of the Purbeck Local Plan, being undertaken by Purbeck District Council. The current Local Plan (PLP1) was adopted in November 2012. It is Government policy that local planning documents are continually reviewed in order to remain up to date and informed by current evidence on local economic, social and environmental needs, and national legislation and planning policy. Purbeck District Council is undertaking a review relatively quickly after adoption of the current plan. This is because PLP1 followed a precautionary approach in planning for less housing than was forecasted as needed for the plan period. Initial screening of the draft Partial Review Issues and Options document identified a range of likely significant effects including those options relating to the overall volume of housing, locations for development, meeting employment needs, managing internationally protected heathlands, Morden country park and tourist accommodation. A number of uncertainties and potential risks were identified in the screening table, but which cannot be assessed in detail at this stage. These issues should be noted by the Council to inform the development of the plan, but more detailed assessment will only be possible once further information is available with regard to the options proposed. The preliminary appropriate assessment work has focussed in detail on the seven large housing sites put forward to Purbeck District Council by landowners and developers, and has also considered implications of the employment sites identified and the proposal for a country park and tourist accommodation at Morden.
    [Show full text]
  • Dorset's Heathland National Nature Reserves
    Dorset’s heathland National Nature Reserves Welcome to Dorset’s heathland The Reserves are perfect for a gentle stroll or National Nature Reserves even a longer hike across a landscape that bursts into colour during the summer. And children will This picturesque corner of Dorset is famous love the chance of spotting a carnivorous plant, for the spectacular mosaic of open heathland or catching a glimpse of a rare sand lizard. and bogs which support some of England’s rarest wildlife. Two hundred and fifty years ago, heathland in Dorset covered over 150 square miles in vast There are four separate heathland National tracts divided only by river valleys. Today only Nature Reserves in and around Wareham: around 30 square miles remain, much of it in Hartland Moor, Stoborough Heath, Holton Heath small fragments. (Sandford Heath) and Morden Bog. These sites now represent around 10% of Britain’s © Natural England/ Duncan Cooper © Natural heathland, and 2% of all that remains in Europe as a whole. Together with our partners, Natural England is reconnecting some of these isolated fragments and helping to re-create the landscape of Egdon Heath, so evocatively described in the novels of Thomas Hardy. Seasonal spectaculars April – a great time to see reptiles basking in the early morning sun. May – the hobby, a small falcon that spends the winter in Africa, returns to hunt over the valley mires, often plucking unwary dragonflies from the air. June – Dartford warblers and stonechats are active in the early mornings, while nightjars begin to hunt in the twilight. July – September – this is when Dorset’s heathland is at its most colourful, with the pink and purples of bell heather and ling, and the mustard yellow of dwarf gorse dominating the dry heaths.
    [Show full text]