A magical woodland pocket

Thorncombe Woods is hidden away, just 5 minutes from the town of Dorchester. The mixed woodland is famed for inspiring the young poet and novelist Thomas Hardy, who was born here and would often wander the wood, visiting places like ‘Black Heath’ and ‘Rushy Pond’.

The 26 hectare woodland and heath site has a range of trees with mature oaks, sweet chestnut, beech and hazel and is home to the much loved hazel dormouse. The site is a wildlife haven with dormice, bats, butterflies and a huge variety of songbirds and raptors.

Watch these videos to experience how the woodland comes alive with the noises, sights and, by proxy, smells of all the animals and plants. Claire, Thorncombe Woods ranger, spots things of interest as she wanders the woodland and explains more about them.

The story behind the videos

In Spring 2020, during the first lockdown, Thorncombe Woods rangers Claire and Kath, created some virtual walks and talks as a result of all our public events being cancelled. It was their innate urge to share the arrival of spring and so were keen to share their excitement as things continued life in the woodland. The comments and responses were so positive that it drove them to make more. They hope to bring a little bit of ‘wild inside’!