West Bexington

West Bexington © Tony Bates
West Bexington © Steve Masters

West Bexington © Steve Masters

Chris Gomersall/2020VISION

Reed bunting - Chris Gomersall/2020VISION

A coastal reserve, attracting a wide range of migrant bird species

Location

West Bexington
Bridport
Dorset
DT2 9DG

OS Map Reference

SY5284586650
A static map of West Bexington

Know before you go

Size
15 hectares
z

Entry fee

N/A
P

Parking information

West Bexington public car park (fees apply)

Bicycle parking

No

Grazing animals

Cattle in spring - autumn.

Access

Across shingle beach and through pedestrian or field gates. No surfaced paths but fairly level in the upper part of the reserve but grass is wet and marshy closer to reedbed. The reserve is easily reached but walking on the shingle is not easy. There are no marked paths but visitors may wander through the open areas of the reserve. A circuit of the fields can be achieved but the ground is likely to be very wet during the winter or after a heavy rain.

Please be aware that winter storms can cause flooding and that there is a network of ditches on site which may be hidden by tall vegetation in the growing season. Livestock graze the site for parts of the year and adders may be present.

Dogs

No dogs permitted

Dogs allowed on beach only. See above for more information about dogs on nature reserves.

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Anytime for birdlife.

About the reserve

A small coastal reserve, offering a welcome resting place for a wide range of migrant bird species, and a permanent home for a host of interesting wildlife.

Nestled behind the shingle beach, our West Bexington reserve includes a stretch of reedbed with grazing marsh and mixed coastal scrub behind, and is jointly managed with a local farmer. As well as grazing to keep the wet grassy meadows in good condition, we cut the reedbeds and scrub blocks on rotation to maintain a diversity of age growth and structure. Along with the surrounding sympathetically managed land this area offers a first resting and re-fuelling point for arriving migrant birds as well as the resident wetland and scrub species such as Cetti's warbler, reed bunting, and linnet. The scrub also provides for habitat for dormouse and shelter for reptiles while the reedbed and ditches support water vole, great-crested newt and a good range of dragonflies.

The reserve also includes the section of shingle directly in front of the reedbed, with plants like yellow horned-poppy and sea kale.

Useful Information

Take the road for West Bexington and The Manor House Hotel opposite the Bull Inn on the B3157 coast road at Swyre, (about seven miles east of Bridport). Follow road for a mile to its end at the (fee paying) public car park and head west along a footpath over the shingle beach and a small bridge to the reserve entrance.

Contact us

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
West Bexington Nature Reserve Map

West Bexington Nature Reserve Map