WALKS IN DORSET

Walks in Dorset: Introduction | Coney's Castle | Champernhayes Woods | Lambert's Castle | Langdon Wood and Golden Cap | Morcombelake to Charmouth | Pilsdon Pen | Bluebell Photographs (2009 Season)

CHAMPENHAYES WOODS

Champernhayes woods are a beautiful working woodland in west dorset and can easily be accessed from either the A35 or B3165.

• Location: Latitude: 50.768629N Longitude: 2.916441W
• Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer 116 (ISBN 0-319-23536-X) Scale: 1:25 000
• Grid Reference: SY355969
• Walk Distance: Less than 2km (Allow an hour)
• Rating: Easy
• When to Go: Late April/Early May (for the Bluebells); Otherwise any summers day

INFORMATION

Champernhayes Woods are managed by the forestry commission. Most of the old woods were replaced with pine during the 1960s, although the earthed banks are still lined with beautiful old beach trees and a few oaks. There is a small car park just off Champernhayes Lane. As always, don't leave anything in your car that you don't want to be stolen.

From the car park there are various tracks that take you off into the woods. Please refer to the map for exact routes. The woods are at their most beautiful at the end of April and beginning of May when the bluebells are out. It is also very pleasant to walk through the woods along Champernhayes Lane, but watch out for cars.

THINGS TO DO

Champernhayes Woods is a great place to have a picnic during the summer months. I would recommend the field on the western side of the road (the opposite side to the car park).

WILDLIFE

The resident wildlife includes numerous deer, Foxes, and also Badgers. Badgers and Foxes are often best viewed in the late evening or early morning.

PHOTOGRAPHY

You can get some great photographs of the Bluebells in late April and Early May. You are best advised to bring a tripod.

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT NEAR BY

The Iron age forts of Lambert's and Coney's castle lie a few kilometres east of Champernhayes woods and can easily be accessed by driving or walking through Fishpond Bottom. You could even try walking over the top of Lambert's Castle and into Marshwood village to visit the Bottle Inn.

Other walks include: Introduction | Coney's Castle | Champernhayes Woods | Lambert's Castle | Langdon Wood and Golden Cap | Morcombelake to Charmouth | Pilsdon Pen | Bluebell Photographs (2009 Season)

LINKS

• The Met Office - Check out the weather for Chamerpnhayes Castle.

MAP

To get directions to and from Champernhayes Woods car park please click on the icon and follow the instructions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This page was written by Jonathan Tolhurst whilst job hunting in the summer of 2008. The page was last updated in August 2008.

If you would like to contribute further information regarding this or any other walk please contact me for further information.

You are free to use any photograph on this page for non commercial purposes as long as you acknowledge the photographer. Please contact me if you would like to use my photographs for commercial use.

ENGLAND 2008 PHOTOGRAPHS

Quick links to all my recent photographs: Rebekah and Tim's Wedding (2010) | Lands End to John o Groats 1 (2010) | Lands End to John o Groats 2 (2010) | Lands End to John o Groats 3 (2010) | Lands End to John o Groats 4 (2010) | Lands End to John o Groats 5 (2010) | Lands End to John o Groats 6 (2010) | Bluebells and Family Fun (2010) | The Big Paddle (2010) | Spring (2010) | Thailand 2 (2010) | Thailand 1 (2010) | Fishpond in Winter (2010) | Tolhurst Family Christmas Celebrations (2009) | The Plough Inn | GWH Christmas Party Photographs (2009) | November in England (2009) | Tolhurst Family Photographs (October 2009) | Cirencester | Cannington Viaduct | Emily Roy's Birthday Weekend | Bristol Balloon Fiesta (2009) | Inverness (2009) | Trans-Scotland Canoe Trip (2009) | Fort William (2009) | Edinburgh (2009) | Tolhurst Family Photographs (January-June 2009) | World Nettle Eating Championship (2009) | David and Yvonne's Wedding (2009) | David's Stag Weekend (Porthcawl) (2009) | Plymouth, Saltash and Truro (2009) | Bluebell Woods (2009) | Fishpond Bottom | Swindon (2008-2009) | Gloucester | Bath Spa | Dorset's Jurassic Coast | Avebury | Stonehenge | Marrakesh (2008) | Bristol (2008) | Candles on the Cobb (2008) | Weymouth and Portland (2008) | Tolhurst Family Photographs (September-December 2008) | Tolhurst Family Photographs (June-August 2008) | My Australian Family | Joe Dryburgh | Canberra (2008) | Goosepond's Croc Photographs (2008) | Tipi Photographs (2007) | Whale and Dolphin Photographs (2007) | Tully River Rafting (2007) | Lundy Island Photographs (2006) | Percy Island Island Photographs (2005) | Sarina Beach Photographs (2005) | Boating Accident (2005) | East Coast Australia Kayaking Photographs (2004) | Trekking in the Wet Tropics Photographs (2004) | Sydney Photographs (2004-2008) | Clowning Around Photographs (2004-2009) | My Canine Friends (2001-2009) | Bird Photographs (2001-2009) | My Music | Making News