Corfe Mullen Meadows
Know before you go
Dogs
Dogs must be on leads as orchids are in flower (May/ June or as directed by on site signage) and there are grazing animals on the site. Please remove all dog mess from site. See above for more information about dogs on nature reserves.
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
May (orchids) & mid-summerAbout the reserve
Corfe Mullen Meadows is a beautiful reserve featuring two important wildflower meadows supporting a large population of green-winged orchids which flower in May and June; an important habitat for pollinators, with bees, moths and bugs all thriving in this tranquil environment
The nature reserve is managed as a traditional hay meadow, with grazing following the cutting of the hay in mid to late summer.
Visitors love to come and see the good population of green winged orchids. These near threatened species flower in May and June and are a lovely pink-purple colour. It is the green-veined hoods of the flowers that give them their name. They are pollinated by bumblebees.
May is a great time to visit Corfe Mullen Meadows as the orchids form a beautifully lush pink carpet across the fields.
In summer the flowers and grasses grow taller and taller, coming alive with butterflies, bees, day flying moths and grasshoppers.
Thick, bushy hedgerows with plenty of large, old oak trees shelter the field and provide additional habitat for birds, mammals and invertebrates of shrubby places.
Useful Information
From the A350 Poole to Blandford Road, take the Old Wareham Road at the traffic lights to head east towards Corfe Mullen. After 1.5 kilometres, turn left onto Waterloo Road by the Naked Cross Nursery. The reserve is 1.5 kilometres along this road on the right.
Species
Contact us
Part of The Great Heath Living Landscape