Townsend - Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Wildlife

This Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve is an area of limestone grassland, rich in wild flowers and butterflies, set high above Swanage Bay.

The 13 ha reserve is on the site of old limestone quarries and the ground has settled to form a very uneven landscape of mounds and hollows. The site commands splendid views across the bay towards Ballard Down. In spring and summer the flowers include early spider orchid, bastard-toadflax, kidney vetch and yellow rattle. Marbled white & common blue butterflies can be seen with speckled woods in the scrubby margins. Great green bush crickets, long-winged cone heads and yellow meadow-ants are among the insect species found. Slow worms and adders are occasionally seen, along with badgers, foxes, and roe deer. Much of the reserve is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The best times to visit are from late spring to midsummer for the show of wild flowers.

Opening Times

Open at all times

Costs

No charge

Directions

Coming into Swanage on the A 351, takes the first right hand turning on the bend. After the Spar shop take the first right, then left, then right on to Panorama Road; carry on up the hill; the reserve is on the left-hand side; there is roadside parking.
(O.S. reference: SZ 024 782)

Additional Information

Reserve leaflet available.
Disabled access is difficult because of the sloping & uneven ground.
Keep dogs under close control and on leads where there is livestock.

Nearest refreshments/pub: Swanage

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