About the reserve

This stunning downland nature reserve is high on the chalk ridge running west/east across the Isle of Purbeck and has far-reaching views across the Wareham Forest, with Poole Harbour to the east.  On a clear day the spectacular views go on for miles.  

The short, chalk downland here is home to a profusion of flowers including horseshoe vetch, chalk milkwort, common rock-rose, carline thistle and hairy violet. Common spotted, early purple and bee orchids speckle the down in early summer while autumn ladies tresses and autumn gentian can be found from late August.

Lulworth skipper and Adonis blue butterflies are occasionally seen, with more regular sightings of brown argus, dingy skipper and small heath. The open, dry grassland also supports a number of rare and notable insects including the two coloured mason bee and the limestone snipefly.

Not to be outdone, the woodland also offers a show of primroses and ramsons early in the year below a mixed canopy of ash, field maple, birch and hazel with some large oak. The woodland and scrubby areas of the open down provide habitat for birds such as bullfinch, song thrush, common whitethroat, stonechat, meadow pipit and wheatear.

Useful Information

Heading south from Wareham, turn off the A351 for Springfield Country Hotel and continue straight along this road. Take the second left signposted to East Creech and follow to the top of the hill. Access is at the top of the hill opposite Creech Barrow.