Haydon Hill
Know before you go
Dogs
Please remove 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
Spring, summer and autumnAbout the reserve
Visiting our headquarters at Brookland’s Farm near Dorchester? Then you won’t want to miss out on a hidden gem of a nature reserve just next door.
Haydon Hill nature reserve is a north-facing slope of unimproved chalk downland and a large haymeadow, which overlooks the River Cerne and is home to variety of plants and insects.
Birds of prey enthusiasts will be pleased to know that buzzards, kestrels and barn owls have known to frequent the reserve, hunting for the numerous shrews and voles that thrive in the tussocky grasslands.
Tread carefully and you might spot red clover, autumn gentian, squinancywort and harebell underfoot. Those wondering how squinancywort got its name will be interested to know that in medieval times it was used for gargling as a cure for quinsy, a severe form of tonsillitis.
The haymeadow is also home to a diverse range of butterflies including the common blue and marbled white.
On the flatter part of the reserve the haymeadow has undergone some agricultural improvement. Using restoration management, the nature reserve is gradually diversifying again with increasing species wildflowers being recorded.
Useful Information
he reserve is located north of Charminster on the A352 Dorchester to Cerne Abbas road. About 3 kilometres from Charminster, look for a small pull-in car parking area on the lef