Nunnery Mead

A tranquil nature reserve on the former water meadows of the River Frome with two sites of archaeological interest.

Location

Notton, Maiden Newton

Dorchester

Dorset

DT2 0BY

OS Map Reference

SY6147395247

Know before you go

Size

6 hectares

Entry fee

N/A

Parking information

No allocated parking. Park on roadside in village.

Bicycle parking

Grazing animals

Cattle and sheep grazing from spring through to winter

Walking trails

Permissive open access and a rough path along the river bank adjacent to bridleway and cycle routes.

Before you visit, please read our reserve safety and visitor information

Access

Access to main fields through field gate with stiles and narrow footbridges leading to river banks. No formal paths and mostly flat but grass areas may be wet and uneven with quite long grass. Site is muddy in parts.

The reserve can be wet so caution and wellies are essential, especially in winter. Ditches can have deep mud in them, so cross only at the bridges. Caution is advised when using the riverside section of the reserve, as the water can be deep and fast flowing in places, especially when the river is in flood.

The site is grazed for part of the year and may support ticks - see our visitor information pages for more on these general countryside hazards.

Dogs

On a lead

Please click here for more information and guidance about dogs on Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserves.

Please remove all dog mess from site.

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

spring and summer

About the reserve

With a mixture of low-lying former water meadows, historical sites of archaeological interest and a wending wooded section of the River Frome, there’s plenty to discover and enjoy in this peaceful setting.

With seasonal flooding and historical agricultural improvement, the meadows have become rich in nutrients. You may catch a glimpse of snipe, who feed along the ditch edges and waterlogged soil over the winter. Throughout the year you may also hear the fluty song of the song thrush, carrying across the meadows. The thick hedgerows with ancient field maples support dormice amongst many other species.

For those who like a spot of history with their wildlife, there are two archaeological sites of interest here. The first, an old Roman villa, which had some of the 'richest' Roman mosaics in Britain, and the second the site of a medieval settlement.

The River Frome flows along the northern boundary of the reserve, nestled within a thin strip of woodland. The wood is a veritable mix of species with ash, sycamore, beech, poplar and alder. Beneath the canopy where the dappled light dances on the frisky waters of the Frome, kingfisher and grey wagtail may be found. The river plays host to eels and brown trout, which breed further upstream, both of which help to feed the otters which also call the Frome their home.

Location
Direct access on foot or by bike only. Follow the bridleway (part of Cycle Route 26) which runs north west from the end of the road at Southover (SY6186 9499) for about 0.5km and you will find the reserve entrance on your right-hand side. No vehicle access from Notton end (north of reserve).