Higher Hyde Heath

Sunday 10th September 2023

10.00 am start

There is an information board at the car park entrance with a map of the site, along with a surfaced path to a bird hide with viewing area overlooking a pond. This path continues around the pond /hide and leads out over a stile onto the heath. A path also leads down into the wood before reaching the hide which is one of the routes we will take, this eventually leads out onto the open heath through a pedestrian gate. Any unsurfaced paths may be wet and muddy and uneven in places so wellington boots are a strongly advised! Although the site is open access, year round please be aware that sensitive heathland species, including ground nesting birds, may occur throughout. The ground is generally rough and uneven away from the paths, and several ponds and wet boggy areas are present on site. Ponies are used to graze a large part of the site all year, so please keep your distance if you encounter any, and observe any signs. Adders and ticks are also present.

The location for the reserve is 4km north of Wool, access is from Puddletown Road, between Bovington (Gallows Hill area) and Wareham. From the Wareham direction, the car park is on the right (north side of the road) 50m or so after the right turning signposted East Dorset Golf Club and Hyde. There is a gate to access the car-park but there is still plenty of room for vehicles just outside of this gate if need be.

The exact parking area can be found HERE