Sutton Holms

Sutton Holms © Andy Fale
Sutton Holms © Jane Franklin

Sutton Holms

Traditional unimproved pasture with a small pond, wet grassland, oak woodland and hedges with a stream running through the reserve.

Location

Sutton Holms
Verwood
Dorset
BH21 8NQ

OS Map Reference

SU0583810044
A static map of Sutton Holms

Know before you go

Size
1 hectare
z

Entry fee

N/A
P

Parking information

Car park for two cars

Bicycle parking

No

Grazing animals

Cattle grazing in spring/ summer.

Access

Field gate at entrance but locked when livestock on site and then access via a stile only. Grassland is very wet with ditches to cross, but drier just inside the entrance giving some access to view pond. Ground conditions in woodland are drier and fairly flat but with narrow path and bridge, possible roots across path. 

Cross the stile to enter the meadow (the gate will be unlocked if no stock are present) or follow the small path  just to the left of the gate to head into the woodland. The meadow itself is wet in places and is criss-crossed by a series of ditches that may be partly obscured when the meadow is tall and the pond is unfenced. Take care crossing the small bridge in the woodland, especially after rain when it may be slightly slippery. Please be aware of the risk of falling branches in or after strong winds.

Cattle graze the grassland for a short time during the spring and summer and there may be ticks on site. 

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 for wildflowers and butterflies

About the reserve

Traditional unimproved pasture with hedges, pond and a small flower rich copse. Although small, the reserve contains an interesting mixture of habitats, perfect for a shorter but interesting visit. The rich community of plants in the meadow is typical of grasslands in damp neutral to mildly acidic conditions that were once widespread but are now very uncommon, due to agricultural improvement. Wildflowers present in the meadow, which is quite wet in parts, include devil's-bit scabious, lady's smock, oxeye daisy, ragged-robin, meadowsweet, spotted and southern marsh orchid. The meadow provides an attractive habitat for butterflies such as the orange tip butterflies early in the year, and marbled whites in mid summer, so keep an eye out for these species flitting around the reserve.

The woodland, with oak, hazel, holly and sallow also has a rich spring ground flora with early purple orchid, wood anemone, snowdrop, sanicle and moschatel. A small stream runs through the copse with signs of otters sometimes seen. A real treat in spring, when the nature reserve really comes to life. 

Useful Information

Heading west from Verwood on the B2081, after Romford, take the second left to stay on the B3081 (signposted for Shaftesbury and Wimborne St. Giles). Follow the road round the bend and, just as the road is straightening up, look for a track to the right. Follow this for about 100m to a parking area for one or two cars by the gate to the reserve.

Contact us

Environmental designation

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

Sutton Holms Nature Reserve Map

The Great Heath Living Landscape

The Great Heath Living Landscape

Part of The Great Heath Living Landscape