Happy Bottom

Happy Bottom Nature Reserve is a safe environment where wildlife can thrive, with a rich and varied history, spanning Roman roads, nearby ancient barrows, Victorian railways and 20th century farming. It forms part of the Corfe Barrows Nature Park.

Location

Merley Park Road
Ashington

Wimborne

Dorset

BH21 3EA

OS Map Reference

SY9951497963

Know before you go

Size

19 hectares

Entry fee

N/A

Parking information

Parking pull in off Merley Park Road

Grazing animals

Grazing animals on some of the site

Walking trails

This idyllic valley can be discovered by following a new path and boardwalk from Merley Park Road to the old railway line.

Please click here for a downloadable leaflet with a map of suggested walking routes in the Corfe Barrows nature park.

Please click here for more information and guidance about dogs on DWT nature reserves.

Access

There is a variety of access, public rights of way and marked trails with some kissing gates, slopes and board walks. Moderate terrain.
RADAR large mobility kissing gate at parking pull-in.

Dogs

On a lead

Remove all dog mess from site, please. See above for more information about dogs on nature reserves.

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Summer is best for flowers and insects, Spring for birdsong, Autumn and Winter for migrant and winter visiting birds.

About the reserve

Happy Bottom Nature Reserve is part of the Corfe Barrows Nature Park partnership of landowners who have come together to create a special place for local communities and visitors to explore and enjoy the local countryside, its history and its wonderful wildlife.

Happy Bottom Nature Reserve includes the stream valley that flows through the nature reserve towards the River Stour to the north
Near the centre of the nature reserve is what is left of Cottage Farm. The restored milking parlour is almost all that remains. The farm used to support a small dairy herd and the cows grazed the adjoining meadows before the days of fertilizers and pesticides. We are traditionally managing the pastures with grazing animals for the benefit of biodiversity.