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

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

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: Shave Cross Inn | Lyme Regis | Week Ending 30 June 2008 | Tolhurst Family Photographs | Week Ending 06 July 2008 | Week Ending 13 July 2008 | Bristol | Cinderford and Kingsland | Week Ending 20 July 2008 | Week Ending 27 July 2008 | Loughborough | Week Ending 03 August 2008 | Weymouth | Week Ending 10 August 2008 | Basingstoke | Week Ending 17 August 2008 | Exeter | Week Ending 24 August 2008 | Candles on the Cobb | Week Ending 31 August 2008 | Tolhurst Family Portraits 1 | Tolhurst Family Portraits 2 | Week Ending 07 September 2008 | Fishpond | Week Ending 14 September 2008 | Clifton | Churches in Bristol | SS Great Britain and Bristol Waterfront | Week Ending 21 September 2008 | West Bay and Charmouth | Colmer's Hill and Bridport | Week Ending 28 September 2008 | Portland Bill | Church Ope Cove | Week Ending 05 October 2008 | Marrakesh (1) | Marrakesh (2) | Week Ending 12 October 2008 | Random Objects | Week Ending 19 October 2008 | Stonehenge | Week Ending 26 October 2008 | Avebury | Week Ending 2 November 2008 | Week Ending 9 November 2008 | Week Ending 16 November 2008 | Holly's 5th Birthday | Week Ending 23 November 2008 | Week Ending 21 December 2008 | Week Ending 28 December 2008 | London Portraits