Ham Down Copse

Wood, Forest in Dorset

England

Ham Down Copse

Footpath by Piddles Wood A view from the path along the edge of the wood. The Darknoll Brook, a short tributary of the Stour, flows at the base of the slope.
Footpath by Piddles Wood Credit: Des Blenkinsopp

Ham Down Copse is a tranquil woodland located in the picturesque county of Dorset, England. Covering an area of approximately 20 hectares, this copse is a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The copse is primarily composed of native broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and ash, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. The dense canopy provides ample shade, allowing a rich undergrowth of ferns, bluebells, and wildflowers to thrive beneath. The forest floor is a tapestry of mosses and fallen leaves, offering a soft and delicate carpet to explore.

A network of well-maintained footpaths winds its way through the copse, inviting visitors to explore its natural wonders. The paths meander alongside babbling brooks and small clearings, providing opportunities for peaceful moments of reflection and observation. The sound of birdsong fills the air, with a variety of species such as robins, blackbirds, and woodpeckers calling this woodland home.

Ham Down Copse is not only a haven for wildlife but also a site of historical significance. The presence of ancient earthworks and burial mounds suggests that the copse has been inhabited and utilized by humans for centuries. These archaeological remnants add an air of mystery and intrigue to the already enchanting surroundings.

Overall, Ham Down Copse is a treasured natural gem in Dorset, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of a diverse woodland ecosystem while exploring the rich history of the area.

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Ham Down Copse Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.918569/-2.2580206 or Grid Reference ST8113. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Footpath by Piddles Wood A view from the path along the edge of the wood. The Darknoll Brook, a short tributary of the Stour, flows at the base of the slope.
Footpath by Piddles Wood
A view from the path along the edge of the wood. The Darknoll Brook, a short tributary of the Stour, flows at the base of the slope.
Lodge Farm A large house with sheds. One of three named farms in this square.
Lodge Farm
A large house with sheds. One of three named farms in this square.
Steam Engine at Shillingstone At Shillingstone Station which is the home of a long term restoration project by the North Dorset Railway. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk/pastevents.php" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk/pastevents.php">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Steam Engine at Shillingstone
At Shillingstone Station which is the home of a long term restoration project by the North Dorset Railway. LinkExternal link
Weighing Machine on the Platform At the restored Shillingstone Station. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk/pastevents.php" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk/pastevents.php">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Weighing Machine on the Platform
At the restored Shillingstone Station. LinkExternal link
Engine on the move, Shillingstone Station This little shunter was trundling slowly along the short length of track available for use at the restored Shillingstone Station.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk/pastevents.php" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk/pastevents.php">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Engine on the move, Shillingstone Station
This little shunter was trundling slowly along the short length of track available for use at the restored Shillingstone Station. LinkExternal link
The Tea Train A smartly restored carriage in use as a tea room at Shillingstone Station
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk/pastevents.php" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk/pastevents.php">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
The Tea Train
A smartly restored carriage in use as a tea room at Shillingstone Station LinkExternal link
Arriving at Platform 2 Another picture at the restored Shillingstone Station.
Arriving at Platform 2
Another picture at the restored Shillingstone Station.
River Stour at Fiddleford Mill The weir pool below the mill race.
River Stour at Fiddleford Mill
The weir pool below the mill race.
Weir at Fiddleford Mill The main River Stour drops over the weir while the mill race continues off to the left.
Weir at Fiddleford Mill
The main River Stour drops over the weir while the mill race continues off to the left.
Sluice gear at Fiddleford Mill A bit rusty looking but seemingly still in working order these sluices control the weir between the mill stream and the main river.
Sluice gear at Fiddleford Mill
A bit rusty looking but seemingly still in working order these sluices control the weir between the mill stream and the main river.
Wildflowers on the steps, Fiddleford Mill A disused stairway on one of the outbuildings.
Wildflowers on the steps, Fiddleford Mill
A disused stairway on one of the outbuildings.
Fiddleford Manor Part of a  Manor House built for the Sheriff of Somerset & Dorset in about 1370.
This part of the building is in the care of English Heritage and is open to the public. Another range of buildings behind is still lived in and isn't open.
Fiddleford Manor
Part of a Manor House built for the Sheriff of Somerset & Dorset in about 1370. This part of the building is in the care of English Heritage and is open to the public. Another range of buildings behind is still lived in and isn't open.
Bridleway by the Hedge Another right of way in an area quite well off for public access.
Bridleway by the Hedge
Another right of way in an area quite well off for public access.
Stour Valley Way near Hammoon The map and these signposts show the Stour Valley Way leaving the Trailway along the old rail route and diverting up to the hamlet of Hammoon about 1km to the north. Then it comes back again on the other side of the road and rejoins the Trailway about 250 metres further along.
The reason for this isn't clear as the Trailway is open all along anyway.
Stour Valley Way near Hammoon
The map and these signposts show the Stour Valley Way leaving the Trailway along the old rail route and diverting up to the hamlet of Hammoon about 1km to the north. Then it comes back again on the other side of the road and rejoins the Trailway about 250 metres further along. The reason for this isn't clear as the Trailway is open all along anyway.
Gate onto the Trailway Access from the lane to Hammoon onto the old railway track, now a footpath and cycleway.
Gate onto the Trailway
Access from the lane to Hammoon onto the old railway track, now a footpath and cycleway.
Trailway towards Shillingstone Between Sturminster Newton and Shillingstone, which were the stations at either end of this section of old railway line. The route is now a pleasant and useful cycleway.
Trailway towards Shillingstone
Between Sturminster Newton and Shillingstone, which were the stations at either end of this section of old railway line. The route is now a pleasant and useful cycleway.
Looking better than it did Last pictured looking a bit the worse for wear <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1173771">ST8212 : Barn at Bere Marsh Farm, Shillingstone</a> a small barn has had some refurbishment done. Holes have been made in the far wall to encourage barn owls to nest here.
Looking better than it did
Last pictured looking a bit the worse for wear ST8212 : Barn at Bere Marsh Farm, Shillingstone a small barn has had some refurbishment done. Holes have been made in the far wall to encourage barn owls to nest here.
Restored for Barn Owls A small building along Newmans Drove has been restored as a nesting place for barn owls.
Restored for Barn Owls
A small building along Newmans Drove has been restored as a nesting place for barn owls.
Show me another place!

Ham Down Copse is located at Grid Ref: ST8113 (Lat: 50.918569, Lng: -2.2580206)

Unitary Authority: Dorset

Police Authority: Dorset

What 3 Words

///seaweed.staging.ethic. Near Child Okeford, Dorset

Related Wikis

Hammoon

Hammoon is a small village and civil parish in the English county of Dorset, sited on a river terrace of alluvial silt by the River Stour, about two miles...

Child Okeford

Child Okeford (sometimes written Childe Okeford) is a village and civil parish in the county of Dorset in southern England, 3 miles (5 kilometres) east...

North Dorset Railway

North Dorset Railway (previously known as the Shillingstone Station Project, the North Dorset Railway Trust and the Shillingstone Railway Project) is a...

Shillingstone railway station

Shillingstone railway station was a station on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR), serving the village of Shillingstone in the English county...

Fiddleford

Fiddleford is a hamlet in the county of Dorset in southern England. Fiddleford is situated between Sturminster Newton and Okeford Fitzpaine in the North...

Fiddleford Manor

Fiddleford Manor (also known as Fiddleford Mill) is a medieval manor house located near Sturminster Newton, Dorset. It is thought to have been originally...

Girdlers Coppice

Girdlers Coppice is a nature reserve of the Dorset Wildlife Trust, near Sturminster Newton, in Dorset, England. It is an ancient woodland, adjacent to...

Shillingstone

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.918569,-2.2580206
Ham Down Copse
Place: locality
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Lat/Long: 50.9182918/-2.2584782
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.9205847/-2.2597705
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.9203015/-2.2642779
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.9197283/-2.2616628
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.9205627/-2.2580686
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.9204968/-2.2552617
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.920452/-2.2538428
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.9204131/-2.2527498
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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