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Hidden Dorset > Discover > Natural Environment > Wildlife > The Kingcombe Centre
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The Kingcombe Centre
Pauline Lowry
The Kingcombe Centre
Toller Porcorum
Dorchester
DT2 0EQ
Tel: 01300 320684
The Kingcombe Centre Wildlife
The Kingcombe Centre offers education courses, with hospitality and great food surrounded by 450 acres of unspoilt farm/nature reserve immensely rich in wildlife.
The Kingcombe Centre is a unique independent centre situated in one of Dorset's many hidden little treasures. We provide a wide breadth of courses; from local schools discovering the wonders and intricacies of our environment to adult classes flourishing with watercolours or experiencing the ancient technology of flint knapping.
The Kingcombe Meadow Visitor Centre is also situated here and is a great place to gather information about the Reserve or to start your walk from and refresh yourself afterwards. Lower Kingcombe is a very special place. From a distance it stands out from the surrounding countryside because its hedges are wide, spreading and uncut by machinery making parts of them like strips of woodland interspersed with mature trees. The fields are a mosaic of wet rushy pasture, scrubby corners and the myriad of different species present in the fields, up to 150 species make them look like an artist’s palette of greens.
Courses led by experienced tutors, of which many are internationally renowned, take place over weekends to a whole week, however if you fancy a mid week afternoon stroll or a stay in Bed and Breakfast we cater for you too. Alongside we have many special events, meals and socials, throughout the year.
Visitors are fuelled on excellent fresh and local home cooked produce including some produce from the centre itself, and the staff give fine service answering any questions you may have.
Directions
By car: Turn off the Dorchester-Crewkerne road (A356) to Toller Porcorum, turn right in the village, signposted to The Kingcombe Centre, 1 mile to Lower Kingcombe. The Centre is on your right after the Dorset Wildlife Trust Kingcombe Meadows Visitor Centre, just before the road crosses the river. There is ample parking space for cars and minibuses, but coaches are asked to park elsewhere.
Public Transport: The nearest station is Maiden Newton, where a bus is available to the Centre. Please contact us for a public transport information sheet, we can usually arrange to meet you at one of the stations if organised well in advance.
Additional Information
ELECTRIC TRAMPER - An electrically-powered buggy (a ‘Tramper’) for disabled visitors, enabling them to explore. Please book in advance.
FOOD POLICY - We support local producers and suppliers, as well as sourcing organic and fair trade. We use our own organically produced fruit and vegetables, lamb and eggs, buy organic beef and vegetables from our neighbours at Sunnyside Farm, local organic chicken and pork, and milk and cream from the organic dairy farm at Godmanstone. We have a reputation for a high standard of food and are also licensed.
DOGS - Sue Irwin and her husband Bob run a boarding kennels less than 1 mile from the Centre: 01300 320543.
The Old Barn, Sunnyside Farm - A luxury holiday cottage next door in Lower Kingcombe. Sleeps 4/6. Visitors are able to join in courses at the Kingcombe Centre. Contact Mandie Fletcher on 01300 321537.
CAN YOU HELP? - As well as the winter Muddy Wellies weekends, we are always looking for extra help with paper work, serving teas, mowing the lawns, baking cakes, etc. Now that our organic vegetable garden is really productive we are particularly looking for volunteer help in the garden. We can provide free board and accommodation in return for practical assistance. Please get in touch if you would like to help.
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