Corfe Mullen Meadows

A traditional hay meadow with an abundance of wildflower species.

Location

Wimborne

Dorset

BH21 3SN

OS Map Reference

SY9792196740

View on What3Words

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Know before you go

Size

5 hectares

Entry fee

N/A

Parking information

Parking in layby close to entrance

Bicycle parking

Grazing animals

Cattle or ponies from mid or late summer through the winter.

Walking trails

Circular path around larger hay meadow.

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

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

Access

Main entrance has RADAR key-accessible gate. Bench by entrance.

Enter the main meadow through the gate to follow a mown grassy path around the edge of the field. Currently no access to the smaller field but we are hoping to add a gate in the near future. Grazing animals will be on site from mid to late summer until winter.

Dogs

On a lead

Dogs must be on leads while orchids are in flower (May/ June or as directed by on site signage) and with grazing animals. 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

May (orchids) & mid-summer

About the reserve

Corfe Mullen Meadows is a beautiful reserve featuring two important wildflower meadows supporting a large population of green-winged orchids which flower in May and June; an important habitat for pollinators, with bees, moths and bugs all thriving in this tranquil environment

The nature reserve is managed as a traditional hay meadow, with grazing following the cutting of the hay in mid to late summer.

Visitors love to come and see the good population of green winged orchids. These near threatened species flower in May and June and are a lovely pink-purple colour. It is the green-veined hoods of the flowers that give them their name. They are pollinated by bumblebees.

May is a great time to visit Corfe Mullen Meadows as the orchids form a beautifully lush pink carpet across the fields.

In summer the flowers and grasses grow taller and taller, coming alive with butterflies, bees, day flying moths and grasshoppers.

Thick, bushy hedgerows with plenty of large, old oak trees shelter the field and provide additional habitat for birds, mammals and invertebrates of shrubby places.

Useful Information

From the A350 Poole to Blandford Road, take the Old Wareham Road at the traffic lights to head east towards Corfe Mullen. After 1.5 kilometres, turn left onto Waterloo Road by the Naked Cross Nursery. The reserve is 1.5 kilometres along this road on the right.