KINGCOMBE MEADOWS ACCESS The KINGCOMBE DORSET Spanning the full width of the valley of the River WILDLIFE Kingcombe Meadows CENTRE TRUST Hooke, around the hamlet of Lower Kingcombe, There are two marked trails across the reserve which can be lies Kingcombe Meadows, a striking tract of unspoilt followed as a short circular walk in the centre of the reserve or as countryside. Nearby is the equally unspoilt ancient a longer circular walk (see map overleaf). woodland area of Powerstock Common nature There is also an exploration area, suitable for tramper vehicles, reserve. These combined regions total around 300 when ground conditions allow. ha (741 acres) and offer the visitor a wonderful Parking available at The Kingcombe Centre (map ref SY555991 & KINGCOMBE opportunity to explore remote, quiet parts of west map ref SY554990) & Copse Close (map ref ST554006). Dorset. A day visit will give you a taste of the locality but if you wish to stay longer, accommodation is Powerstock Common via Kingcombe Meadows MEADOWS available at The Kingcombe Centre set in the middle The reserve may be reached on foot using both public footpaths of Kingcombe Meadows, together with a café and country lanes. nature reserve serving locally sourced food. (Cafe open Fri - Sun By car from Kingcombe - on the lane between Lower Kingcombe 10am - 4pm and all week in the school holidays). and Toller Porcorum is a signpost for Powerstock. Take this and Check out events, activities, workshops and courses then take the first (unsignposted) lane. At a T junction turn left at The Kingcombe Centre www.kingcombe.org downhill, under a disused railway bridge and Powerstock Common car park is on the right, map ref. SY 547974. and nearby Wildlife interest: Typical wildflowers in woodland & marshy areas. The grassy meadows support many POWERSTOCK common species & also lady’s mantle, corky- fruited water dropwort, pepper saxifrage, COMMON devil’s-bit scabious & knapweed. Butterflies nature reserve include varieties of skipper & fritillaries. Birds abound with visiting summer warblers and woodland birds. POWERSTOCK COMMON GETTING THERE

Powerstock Common nature reserve has a mixture By train: Services are infrequent and require planning ahead. of habitats including woodland with open grassy Useful information can be viewed at www.transportdirect.info. areas along the line of the disused Maiden Newton Train stations: to Bridport railway line as well as interesting 4 miles from Maiden Newton (Bristol to Weymouth line) hedgebanks and numerous small ponds. Superb 12 miles from Dorchester South (London Waterloo to Weymouth line) views can be glimpsed of Dorset’s coastline. Much 9 miles from Crewkerne (London Waterloo to Exeter St. David’s line) of the reserve is accessible for the less able as a By car: from the A356, take the turning to Toller Porcorum. In the wide hard track runs through the centre of the village, turn right, signposted Hooke & Lower Kingcombe. reserve. A nature trail is waymarked (uneven By bicycle: Plans are underway to establish a traffic-free bike/ surface). walkers path along the 10 miles of disused railway line running from Maiden Newton to Bridport. The old line runs along the southern Wildlife interest: Resident woodland bird species edge of Kingcombe Meadows & the northern edge of Powerstock include nuthatch & great spotted woodpecker Common nature reserves. together with a number of migrants such as willow By foot: public footpaths/bridleways cross the reserve including warbler and chiffchaff. Fallow deer may be seen 2 long distance trails, the Wessex Ridgeway & Jubilee Trail. within the woodland. Wildflowers includebluebell , pendulous sedge, bee orchid, rock rose, dyers Dorset Wildlife Trust, Brooklands Farm, greenweed and devil’s-bit scabious. Speckled Forston, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7AA wood and wood white, marsh fritillary and 01305 264620 brown argus butterflies. Superb fornewts and [email protected] Part of a dragonflies in the ponds. nationwide network www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk - Mark7/14 Photos © Front cover Heighes Bates & Nick Dear. Tony all other photos by of Wildlife Trusts Protecting Wildlife for the future KINGCOMBE MEADOWS NATURE RESERVE Maps based upon the Ordnance Survey of Her Maps based upon the Ordnance mapping with the permission of the Controller Copyright infringes Crown Unauthorisedreproduction Copyright. Crown Stationary Office, Majesty’s or civil proceedings. and may lead to prosecution copyright and database right Survey 2012 Ordnance © Crown 29185.

To view the FOXHOLES S W DO EA M BE OM GC trails leaflet for IN K TO Powerstock Common download this QR code.

Y CUTTING BRICK KILN N WA JENNY’S POND IL A RAILWAY R BRIDGE GANGERS HUT i i i P P

E E G N G I A L Y R A D WYTHERSTONE O W IL N A R WOOD O D R WICKER A E D TL COPPICE WYTHERSTON N A FARM M IS D

160 ALDER 135 WOODLAND

105

RESERVE BOUNDARY

LONG MARKED TRAIL (PERMISSIVE PATH)

SHORT MARKED TRAIL (PERMISSIVE PATH)

FOOTPATH (VERY WET IN WINTER) PUBLIC BRIDLEWAY POWERSTOCK FORESTRY TRACK COMMON STREAM PLEASE NOTE GRASSLAND DISMANTLED RAILWAY LINE • Visitors are welcome to walk over fields on the reserve, subject LANDSLIPS POND to restrictions due to haymaking and the presence of livestock. VIEW POINT WHETLEY • Beware of ticks, especially in long grass, bracken and scrub. FARM 160 HEIGHT IN METRES i INFORMATION POINT Please dress appropriately. SCALE: 0.4km P PARKING TUMULUS • Keep away from cattle - cows with calves can be dangerous. • Guard against fire POWERSTOCK COMMON NATURE RESERVE