Kingcombe Meadows - Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Wildlife

This Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve near the River Hooke is managed as a working farm using traditional methods, yielding a patchwork of fields and grassland.

This large reserve (177 ha) is managed without using artificial fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides and with grazing by cattle and sheep. The result is a farm of age-old appearance made up of small fields and unimproved grassland, broken up by thick hedges, streams, ponds, ancient green lanes and wooded areas alongside the River Hooke.
The grassy meadows sustain many common species, and also lady's mantle, corky fruited water dropwort, pepper saxifrage, devil's bit scabious and knapweed. Typical wild flowers are found in the in woodland and marshy areas. Butterflies include varieties of skipper and fritillaries; birds abound, with visiting summer warblers, as well as dippers and grey wagtails.
Visit at any time; the meadows are particularly impressive in the spring and early summer because of the blaze of colour, the insects, butterflies and birds.

Opening Times

Open at all times

Costs

No charge

Directions

From Dorchester take the A37 towards Yeovil; just after the village of Grimstone turn left on the A356. Continue past Maiden Newton and at the top of the hill turn left to Toller Porcorum. Turn right in the village where it is signposted to Lower Kingcombe; after a mile look for the Kingcombe Visitor Centre sign on the right-hand side.
(O.S. reference: SY 554 990).

Additional Information

There are limited tracks across the meadows. There is an information centre at The Kingcombe Centre, where toilets and refreshments are also available.

Nearest refreshments/pub: The Kingcombe Centre and Powerstock.

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