Hardy'S Birthplace And Thorncombe Woods

Great to see some positive wildlife news after all the devastating fires on Dorset Heaths. Keep up the great work Team, the Heaths are fabulous because of your work and the extra eyes and ears the public supply in keeping them safe.

While out on site checks this week I have found several new creatures dwelling in the woodland !!!!!

The small amount of last seasons harvest is now available as kindling and campfire wood for donations towards wild bird feed. We still have some of this years Hazel harvest for sale at the centre. This wood is good for garden structures and forest school leaders to use or dare I say Charcoal making if any one is up for that in this heat!

Once again we are delighted to announce we have achieved a Green Flag Award again this year!
This international award, now into its third decade, is designed to showcase greenspaces that boast the highest possible environmental standards, are beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
A big thank you to all our dedicated volunteers and staff that have helped us manage this wonderful woodland reserve for all to enjoy!

Huge Congratulations to our sister site, Durlston Country Park for winning grant money for their 'Durlston Pleasure Grounds' Project! To find out more, check out the link below!

What a lovely day to escape the office and complete a Butterfly Transect around the reserve!

Please please please do not have fires on the ground at the moment, no matter how small and under control you think they are!

Not only is our Woodland really cool and shady but a walk will benefit your physical and mental health in so many ways. We hope to see you out there enjoying it !

Come and find out about Nordic Walking in our lovely shady woodland.

Here is another snippet from our camera at the Woodland Pond....a Stock Dove! Our Stock Doves at Thorncombe are quite elusive, so it was a lovely surprise to catch this one drinking at the pond.
Stock Doves have the same general colouration as Wood Pigeons but are smaller and lack the white collar and white wing bars.

So last night I set up our wildlife camera on the little muddy pond in the woods here at Thorncombe!
What a busy night it was! Too many clips to choose from, so expect to see a few of the highlights over the next few days.
First, lets start with this nighttime visitor, who was seen having a dip at 10.30pm and then again at 5am!

Numerous Spotted Flycatchers have been seen the last few weeks around the woods. They are frequently spotted hawking for flies in the many open glades dotted throughout Thorncombe. This one has taken a liking to one of our waymarker posts as his prime lookout spot!

We are looking forward to seeing the children enjoy the woodland this summer holiday. If you want your child to enjoy a day in the woods then please book with Dorset Forest School

So apparently yesterday was National Take a Selfie Day and today is Bring your Dog to Work day!
So I’m combining the two to introduce, to those who have not met him, our Assistant Ranger Murphy!
Murphy has been part of the team here at Thorncombe since 2015, his main roles include supervising volunteer groups and helping the Countryside Ranger Kath on her daily patrols of the site.
... He tries to set a good example to his other four-legged friends by making sure he is always put on a lead whilst on Black Heath, to help protect the ground nesting birds and reptiles, however his professionalism has been known to slip when he is tempted to chase the odd Grey Squirrel!
See More

It’s always exciting when large parcels get delivered to the Ranger's Office!
Here’s Kath modelling her new Waders ready for summer wildlife monitoring in Rushy Pond and our winter work programme which will include thinning out some of the Willow in the centre!

Fancy working out in the beautiful Dorset Countryside? Why not join us as an apprentice and learn some great skills and knowledge along the way!

The sun is out, therefore it is a great day for our dragonflies and damselflies that inhabit Rushy Pond!
So far this year we have recorded: Broad-bodied Chasers, Four-spotted Chasers, Emperor Dragonflies, Golden-ringed Dragonflies, Azure Blue Damselflies and Large Red Damselflies!
Here is a short clip of a female Broad-bodied Chaser laying eggs in Rushy Pond this afternoon!

Once again, we have some very exciting news to announce!
This week during our weekly butterfly transect, myself and volunteer John, came across two blue butterflies on the heath.
After waiting patiently to let them settle so we could ID and photograph them, we are very pleased to report that they have been confirmed as Silver-Studded Blues!
... The Silver-Studded Blue is a rare species of butterfly restricted in distribution to heathland and coastal habitats. Similarly, to our recent Smooth Snake find, having this butterfly inhabit Black Heath shows that our careful management is creating the perfect mosaic of heathland vegetated stages that these creatures require!
This is also another 'first' for Thorncombe! Thanks to John Locke for the photo!
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Looking for something to do with your little one tomorrow ?

Went to the woods with the dog. Lots of walks, however some on lead but he enjoyed it. Had a drink at the cafe then walked along to the cottage. Didn't go inside as dogs not allowed

Well worth a visit and tie it to a trip to Max Gate a few miles away in Dorchester makes a full day of Hardy!👍

Welcoming staff, who knew about the Hardy's history. Quaint cottage with lovely gardens and orchard and neighbouring woodland. We were blessed with sunshine. The welcome centre was also friendly and the café had good food and drink. Only downside is that the memorabilia from the National Trust is a little pricy- although Hardy's books reasonably priced: £3 for a paperback volume

Took my two little ones 3&1 loved walking round the woods and seeing the ponies was amazing for them 3 year old really enjoyed walking in the mud,the cafe was great too and not too pricey.

Think it has been made into a lovely safe area for families. My grandsons loved it, so exciting a place for learning and letting of steam.

Such a wonderful place, cafe staff are so friendly and it's also dog friendly they provided a dog treat for your dogs. Such a lush place to go for a nice walk either with or without dogs.

Lovely woodland - great cafe and friendly Rangers - in fact, nearly as nice as Durlston ;-)

Lovely circular walk in the woods today with our dog, including a look at Hardy's cottage and followed by coffee and cake in the great cafe and a browse of the local gifts in the shop.

I went with my parents on Sunday, really interesting place, yummy food and beautiful woods to explore. Will definitely be coming back in the summer to explore some more. Definitely recommend a visit.

Hard to find, but enjoyed the walk. It is certainly different.

Beautiful woodland walks and longer hike into Puddletown Forest which our two whippets loved. The cottage is beautiful, we didn't go inside as we had the dogs with us. Nice coffee and cake and not at all crowded on a Thursday.

Beautiful cottage and garden, had a lovely walk up to the pond and saying hello to the ponies, definitely recommend this to all.

A real chance to get up close to some beautiful flowers, trees, ground nesting birds & Dartmoor ponies

Lovely walk through the woods to get there . So beautiful and quiet . Very atmospheric in the cottage . House wardens there to give information . Walked back via the pond and came across ponies grazing, very friendly too . When we arrived in the car the car park was full so we went back out to top road turned left and parked on a grass verge . Good afternoon out . Take a picnic and enjoy the cottage garden

Beautiful thatched cottage with a lovely garden but that's not what it would have been like in Hardys time. Apparently it would have been more like a builders yard! Visitors wouldn't appreciate that. . None of the original furniture survived and a good attempt has been made by NT to furnish it in period style. Enthusiastic and welcoming volunteer staff. Good to look through the same windows that Hardy looked through. Didn't have time to explore the woods except for the walk up to the cottage . That walk is not suitable for people with mobility issues but there is an alternative. Visitor centre up to usual high NT standards. Will return to the woods and enjoy tea in the centre another day.

Went to the woods with the dog. Lots of walks, however some on lead but he enjoyed it. Had a drink at the cafe then walked along to the cottage. Didn't go inside as dogs not allowed

Well worth a visit and tie it to a trip to Max Gate a few miles away in Dorchester makes a full day of Hardy!👍

Welcoming staff, who knew about the Hardy's history. Quaint cottage with lovely gardens and orchard and neighbouring woodland. We were blessed with sunshine. The welcome centre was also friendly and the café had good food and drink. Only downside is that the memorabilia from the National Trust is a little pricy- although Hardy's books reasonably priced: £3 for a paperback volume

Took my two little ones 3&1 loved walking round the woods and seeing the ponies was amazing for them 3 year old really enjoyed walking in the mud,the cafe was great too and not too pricey.

Think it has been made into a lovely safe area for families. My grandsons loved it, so exciting a place for learning and letting of steam.

Such a wonderful place, cafe staff are so friendly and it's also dog friendly they provided a dog treat for your dogs. Such a lush place to go for a nice walk either with or without dogs.

Lovely woodland - great cafe and friendly Rangers - in fact, nearly as nice as Durlston ;-)

Lovely circular walk in the woods today with our dog, including a look at Hardy's cottage and followed by coffee and cake in the great cafe and a browse of the local gifts in the shop.

I went with my parents on Sunday, really interesting place, yummy food and beautiful woods to explore. Will definitely be coming back in the summer to explore some more. Definitely recommend a visit.

Hard to find, but enjoyed the walk. It is certainly different.

Beautiful woodland walks and longer hike into Puddletown Forest which our two whippets loved. The cottage is beautiful, we didn't go inside as we had the dogs with us. Nice coffee and cake and not at all crowded on a Thursday.

Beautiful cottage and garden, had a lovely walk up to the pond and saying hello to the ponies, definitely recommend this to all.

A real chance to get up close to some beautiful flowers, trees, ground nesting birds & Dartmoor ponies

Lovely walk through the woods to get there . So beautiful and quiet . Very atmospheric in the cottage . House wardens there to give information . Walked back via the pond and came across ponies grazing, very friendly too . When we arrived in the car the car park was full so we went back out to top road turned left and parked on a grass verge . Good afternoon out . Take a picnic and enjoy the cottage garden

Beautiful thatched cottage with a lovely garden but that's not what it would have been like in Hardys time. Apparently it would have been more like a builders yard! Visitors wouldn't appreciate that. . None of the original furniture survived and a good attempt has been made by NT to furnish it in period style. Enthusiastic and welcoming volunteer staff. Good to look through the same windows that Hardy looked through. Didn't have time to explore the woods except for the walk up to the cottage . That walk is not suitable for people with mobility issues but there is an alternative. Visitor centre up to usual high NT standards. Will return to the woods and enjoy tea in the centre another day.

Went to the woods with the dog. Lots of walks, however some on lead but he enjoyed it. Had a drink at the cafe then walked along to the cottage. Didn't go inside as dogs not allowed

Well worth a visit and tie it to a trip to Max Gate a few miles away in Dorchester makes a full day of Hardy!👍

Welcoming staff, who knew about the Hardy's history. Quaint cottage with lovely gardens and orchard and neighbouring woodland. We were blessed with sunshine. The welcome centre was also friendly and the café had good food and drink. Only downside is that the memorabilia from the National Trust is a little pricy- although Hardy's books reasonably priced: £3 for a paperback volume

Took my two little ones 3&1 loved walking round the woods and seeing the ponies was amazing for them 3 year old really enjoyed walking in the mud,the cafe was great too and not too pricey.

Think it has been made into a lovely safe area for families. My grandsons loved it, so exciting a place for learning and letting of steam.

Such a wonderful place, cafe staff are so friendly and it's also dog friendly they provided a dog treat for your dogs. Such a lush place to go for a nice walk either with or without dogs.

Lovely woodland - great cafe and friendly Rangers - in fact, nearly as nice as Durlston ;-)

Lovely circular walk in the woods today with our dog, including a look at Hardy's cottage and followed by coffee and cake in the great cafe and a browse of the local gifts in the shop.

I went with my parents on Sunday, really interesting place, yummy food and beautiful woods to explore. Will definitely be coming back in the summer to explore some more. Definitely recommend a visit.

Hard to find, but enjoyed the walk. It is certainly different.

Beautiful woodland walks and longer hike into Puddletown Forest which our two whippets loved. The cottage is beautiful, we didn't go inside as we had the dogs with us. Nice coffee and cake and not at all crowded on a Thursday.

Beautiful cottage and garden, had a lovely walk up to the pond and saying hello to the ponies, definitely recommend this to all.

A real chance to get up close to some beautiful flowers, trees, ground nesting birds & Dartmoor ponies

Lovely walk through the woods to get there . So beautiful and quiet . Very atmospheric in the cottage . House wardens there to give information . Walked back via the pond and came across ponies grazing, very friendly too . When we arrived in the car the car park was full so we went back out to top road turned left and parked on a grass verge . Good afternoon out . Take a picnic and enjoy the cottage garden

Beautiful thatched cottage with a lovely garden but that's not what it would have been like in Hardys time. Apparently it would have been more like a builders yard! Visitors wouldn't appreciate that. . None of the original furniture survived and a good attempt has been made by NT to furnish it in period style. Enthusiastic and welcoming volunteer staff. Good to look through the same windows that Hardy looked through. Didn't have time to explore the woods except for the walk up to the cottage . That walk is not suitable for people with mobility issues but there is an alternative. Visitor centre up to usual high NT standards. Will return to the woods and enjoy tea in the centre another day.

Went to the woods with the dog. Lots of walks, however some on lead but he enjoyed it. Had a drink at the cafe then walked along to the cottage. Didn't go inside as dogs not allowed

Well worth a visit and tie it to a trip to Max Gate a few miles away in Dorchester makes a full day of Hardy!👍

Welcoming staff, who knew about the Hardy's history. Quaint cottage with lovely gardens and orchard and neighbouring woodland. We were blessed with sunshine. The welcome centre was also friendly and the café had good food and drink. Only downside is that the memorabilia from the National Trust is a little pricy- although Hardy's books reasonably priced: £3 for a paperback volume

Took my two little ones 3&1 loved walking round the woods and seeing the ponies was amazing for them 3 year old really enjoyed walking in the mud,the cafe was great too and not too pricey.

Think it has been made into a lovely safe area for families. My grandsons loved it, so exciting a place for learning and letting of steam.

Such a wonderful place, cafe staff are so friendly and it's also dog friendly they provided a dog treat for your dogs. Such a lush place to go for a nice walk either with or without dogs.

Lovely woodland - great cafe and friendly Rangers - in fact, nearly as nice as Durlston ;-)

Lovely circular walk in the woods today with our dog, including a look at Hardy's cottage and followed by coffee and cake in the great cafe and a browse of the local gifts in the shop.

I went with my parents on Sunday, really interesting place, yummy food and beautiful woods to explore. Will definitely be coming back in the summer to explore some more. Definitely recommend a visit.

Hard to find, but enjoyed the walk. It is certainly different.

Beautiful woodland walks and longer hike into Puddletown Forest which our two whippets loved. The cottage is beautiful, we didn't go inside as we had the dogs with us. Nice coffee and cake and not at all crowded on a Thursday.

Beautiful cottage and garden, had a lovely walk up to the pond and saying hello to the ponies, definitely recommend this to all.

A real chance to get up close to some beautiful flowers, trees, ground nesting birds & Dartmoor ponies

Lovely walk through the woods to get there . So beautiful and quiet . Very atmospheric in the cottage . House wardens there to give information . Walked back via the pond and came across ponies grazing, very friendly too . When we arrived in the car the car park was full so we went back out to top road turned left and parked on a grass verge . Good afternoon out . Take a picnic and enjoy the cottage garden

Beautiful thatched cottage with a lovely garden but that's not what it would have been like in Hardys time. Apparently it would have been more like a builders yard! Visitors wouldn't appreciate that. . None of the original furniture survived and a good attempt has been made by NT to furnish it in period style. Enthusiastic and welcoming volunteer staff. Good to look through the same windows that Hardy looked through. Didn't have time to explore the woods except for the walk up to the cottage . That walk is not suitable for people with mobility issues but there is an alternative. Visitor centre up to usual high NT standards. Will return to the woods and enjoy tea in the centre another day.

Went to the woods with the dog. Lots of walks, however some on lead but he enjoyed it. Had a drink at the cafe then walked along to the cottage. Didn't go inside as dogs not allowed

Well worth a visit and tie it to a trip to Max Gate a few miles away in Dorchester makes a full day of Hardy!👍

Welcoming staff, who knew about the Hardy's history. Quaint cottage with lovely gardens and orchard and neighbouring woodland. We were blessed with sunshine. The welcome centre was also friendly and the café had good food and drink. Only downside is that the memorabilia from the National Trust is a little pricy- although Hardy's books reasonably priced: £3 for a paperback volume

Took my two little ones 3&1 loved walking round the woods and seeing the ponies was amazing for them 3 year old really enjoyed walking in the mud,the cafe was great too and not too pricey.

Think it has been made into a lovely safe area for families. My grandsons loved it, so exciting a place for learning and letting of steam.

Such a wonderful place, cafe staff are so friendly and it's also dog friendly they provided a dog treat for your dogs. Such a lush place to go for a nice walk either with or without dogs.

Lovely woodland - great cafe and friendly Rangers - in fact, nearly as nice as Durlston ;-)

Lovely circular walk in the woods today with our dog, including a look at Hardy's cottage and followed by coffee and cake in the great cafe and a browse of the local gifts in the shop.

I went with my parents on Sunday, really interesting place, yummy food and beautiful woods to explore. Will definitely be coming back in the summer to explore some more. Definitely recommend a visit.

Hard to find, but enjoyed the walk. It is certainly different.

Beautiful woodland walks and longer hike into Puddletown Forest which our two whippets loved. The cottage is beautiful, we didn't go inside as we had the dogs with us. Nice coffee and cake and not at all crowded on a Thursday.

Beautiful cottage and garden, had a lovely walk up to the pond and saying hello to the ponies, definitely recommend this to all.

A real chance to get up close to some beautiful flowers, trees, ground nesting birds & Dartmoor ponies

Lovely walk through the woods to get there . So beautiful and quiet . Very atmospheric in the cottage . House wardens there to give information . Walked back via the pond and came across ponies grazing, very friendly too . When we arrived in the car the car park was full so we went back out to top road turned left and parked on a grass verge . Good afternoon out . Take a picnic and enjoy the cottage garden

Beautiful thatched cottage with a lovely garden but that's not what it would have been like in Hardys time. Apparently it would have been more like a builders yard! Visitors wouldn't appreciate that. . None of the original furniture survived and a good attempt has been made by NT to furnish it in period style. Enthusiastic and welcoming volunteer staff. Good to look through the same windows that Hardy looked through. Didn't have time to explore the woods except for the walk up to the cottage . That walk is not suitable for people with mobility issues but there is an alternative. Visitor centre up to usual high NT standards. Will return to the woods and enjoy tea in the centre another day.