Loscombe

Loscombe © Neil Gibson
Loscombe © Neil Gibson
Loscombe © Steve Masters

Loscombe © Steve Masters

Loscombe nature reserve

Alastair Cook

A hidden, steep sided valley bounded by river and hedgerow.

Location

Bridport
Dorset
DT6 3TL

OS Map Reference

SY5015497903
A static map of Loscombe

Know before you go

Size
10 hectares
z

Entry fee

N/A
P

Parking information

In summer and dry conditions, go through gate into field. At other times, there is very limited roadside parking at north-western end of reserve.

Bicycle parking

None

Grazing animals

Sheep are used to graze the reserve all year round.

Access

Uneven ground, steep slopes and deep mud in parts. Access via stiles and field gates. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the lower fields can be very wet. 

The fields at the western end of the reserve are accessed from the main entrance. Please be aware that the lower parts of these fields can be extremely wet, and access to the Bean Close field on the southern side of the stream is not advised. The main part of the site, accessed via the footpath which leaves the lane before Sunnyside Farm, or from field gates off the green lane, is mainly on steep slopes, with numerous anthills. A footpath also runs along the bottom of the valley.

The site is grazed by sheep and there may be ticks present - please check yourself and your dog at the end of your walk. 

Dogs

On a lead

Please remove all dog mess from site. See above for more information about dogs on nature reserves.

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

spring and summer

About the reserve

A hidden valley in which to immerse yourself in the sounds of buzzards, bullfinches and babbling streams.

The reserve covers part of the upper reaches of this magical valley where geology reacts to produce interesting mosaic of neutral to acidic grasslands. The steep slopes are covered in yellow meadow anthills, nestling amongst these are plants such as wild thyme and bird’s-foot-trefoil. There are pockets of gorse and other scrub which support breeding linnets and many invertebrates. The slopes are bound to the north by a deeply sunken green lane, with old arching hazel stools on either side, which are home to bullfinch and dormouse.

A small stream winds its way down through pockets of wet woodland, dominated by alder with opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage, and ringing with the calls of marsh tits. The lower, flatter fields give rise to a mix of wet marshy ground and a drier areas traditionally cut for hay. Here you can see southern marsh orchids and a small population of snakes head fritillary.

Useful Information

Turn right off the A3066 just outside Bridport heading for Mangerton and West Milton. At the start of West Milton village turn left onto Ridgeback Lane and then take first left to Loscombe down the narrow road to the bottom of the hill bearing right at the stream to head slightly uphill into the hamlet of Loscombe. The main reserve entrance gate and information board are on the right-hand side opposite Rose cottage. Parking in the field through the gate here in dry conditions (summer). At other times it may be possible to park one car at the bottom of the hill before the road climbs to the hamlet. By foot this reserve is accessed from a number of points from public rights of way.

Contact us

Dorset Wildlife Trust West Team
Contact number: 01305 264620

Environmental designation

Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI)
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Loscombe Nature Reserve Map

Loscombe Nature Reserve Map