East Stoke Fen - Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Wildlife

This Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve is an area of reed marsh, wet woodland and oak copse within the River Frome flood plain near Wool.

The reserve is about 4.5 ha in area. Common reed and greater tussock sedge dominate the fen, but skullcap, yellow loosestrife, comfrey, bittersweet and narrow buckler fern may be found. The drier oak woodland supports some of Dorset’s notable plants such as climbing corydalis, hairy woodrush, wood mellick and wood millet. The reserve attracts wintering snipe and breeding sedge & reed warblers. During the summer months both dragon- & damsel-flies will be found and in recent years the scarlet tiger moth has been recorded in large numbers.
Reed fen is a rare and declining habitat in Dorset and this reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Samples from peats found here have provided a complete pollen sequence from about 10,000 years ago until the present, giving important information on vegetation changes.

The best time to visit is in spring (when the bluebells flower) and in early summer.

Opening Times

Open at all times

Costs

No charge

Directions

In Wool turn left after the station onto Bindon Lane; pass Bindon Farm on the bend and access to the reserve is a mile further on the left via a public footpath. Parking is on the roadside.
(O.S. map reference: SY 864 865).

Additional Information

Access via footpath only; disabled access is difficult, due to rough and wet ground conditions. Keep dogs under close control.

Nearest refreshments/pub: Stokeford

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