Greenhill Down - Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Wildlife

This Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve between Milton Abbas and Ansty comprises chalk downland with some unimproved scrubby pasture, a dewpond, veteran trees and coppiced woodland.

The reserve contains good examples of the main vegetation types to be found on chalk downs with a clay cap; the area is about 12 ha. The downland is good for butterflies; wild flowers include wood sage, gorse and foxgloves; rockrose and pyramidal orchid appear on the chalk slopes, and marjoram and toothwort are found in the woods. There is a good mixture of downland and woodland birds; five species of tit breed; woodland bird species include nuthatch and tree creeper, with black cap and garden & willow warblers amongst the summer migrants. Several dragon- & damsel-fly species inhabit the pond.

Any time is good to visit, but go in summer for a display of flowers.

Opening Times

Open at all times

Costs

No charge

Directions

Leave the A 354 at Melbourne St. Andrew and follow signs for Milton Abbas, then Hilton. Park in Hilton village, but please do not obstruct the church access. Walk up the road, directly opposite the church, for about a mile; it then becomes a bridleway.
(O.S. map reference: ST 789 038).

Additional Information

A reserve leaflet is available.
Disabled access is difficult as there are limited paths and the terrain is rough and steep. Keep dogs under close control and on leads where there is livestock.

Nearest refreshments/pub: Ansty

Photos by Tony Bates

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