Sovell Down © Andy Fale
Marbled White at Sovell Down © Andy Fale
Location
OS Map Reference
ST9930510805
Know before you go
Entry fee
N/AParking information
Limited roadside parking.Bicycle parking
NoGrazing animals
Pony grazing at some times of year.Walking trails
Grassland is Permissive Open Access. Links to public rights of way along the Ackling Dyke and across the reserve towards Gussage St Michael.
Please click here for more information and guidance about dogs on DWT nature reserves.
Access
Difficult access for those with limited mobility - rough, grassy track goes uphill to access reserve. Currently access to open areas only over stiles. Rough track from stile across bottom of larger field. Otherwise slopes and uneven ground.
A rough grassy track follows the course of the Ackling Dyke up to and along the edge of the reserve. The access point from this into the chalk grassland, is as the track branches off to the right by the reserve sign, with a rough track along the bottom of the first field. Elsewhere the ground can be a little rough and uneven under foot and is variously sloped so you will need to take care as you work your way between the fields.
Ponies graze the site at times and there may be ticks on site. For more information on these general countryside hazards and other aspects of visiting our nature reserves please see our visitor information page.
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
Spring & SummerAbout the reserve
A small oasis of flower-rich grassland and scrub offering shelter for wildlife in an intensively managed agricultural landscape. With its two fields of unimproved, chalk grassland, scrubby patches and thick hedgerows, this reserve is a key linking point for wildlife in an area of improved grassland and arable fields. As well as providing a permanent home to species such as grizzled skipper, marbled white, bullfinch and yellowhammer the site provides foraging and commuting for birds and bats passing through the area, with recent surveys showing that greater horseshoe bat flight routes pass through the site.
The downland is grazed to encourage an open sward with an annual programme of rotational scrub cutting to stop it from smothering the grassland. There are at least four species of rose in the scrub and a range of typical chalk grassland flowers throughout the slopes; including cowslip, bird's-foot-trefoil, greater knapweed, clustered bellflower, rock rose and wild basil.
A Roman road, the Ackling Dyke, connecting Exeter with London, runs along the length of the reserve, while there is evidence of ancient ditches and chalk extraction over the rest of the reserve, so there is plenty of history to explore, as well as the wildlife!
Useful Information
Heading towards Salisbury on the A354 from Blandford, turn right at signpost to Gussages/Horton. After 1/2 mile turn left to Gussage St. Michael. At junction in village turn right. The reserve is approximately 1/2 mile along road. Park on roadside by water pumping station & take footpath uphill to the reserve.
Species
Habitat
Contact us
Environmental designation
Sovell Down Nature Reserve Map