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Compton Withy Bed

Wood, Forest in Dorset

England

Compton Withy Bed

Eggardon Hill Eggardon Hill is a prehistoric hill fort built on chalk uplands. The highest point stands at 252 metres above sea level and offers outstanding views to the Jurassic Coast. The southern half of the site is owned by the National Trust.
Eggardon Hill Credit: Mark Percy

Compton Withy Bed is a small woodland area located in the county of Dorset, England. Situated near the village of Compton Abbas, it covers an approximate area of 1.5 hectares. The woodland is part of the larger Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Compton Withy Bed is predominantly composed of deciduous trees, with species such as oak, beech, and ash being prevalent. The woodland floor is covered in a rich carpet of ferns, mosses, and wildflowers, providing a diverse habitat for various plant and animal species.

The forest is crisscrossed by a network of winding paths that allow visitors to explore its natural beauty. These paths lead to a small clearing in the center of the woodland, where a wooden bench is placed, offering a peaceful spot for visitors to rest and take in the tranquil surroundings.

Compton Withy Bed is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, and tawny owls. Small mammals like squirrels and rabbits can also be spotted darting among the trees. The woodland is also known for its rich insect life, with butterflies and dragonflies being particularly abundant during the summer months.

The site is managed by the local council, which ensures that the woodland remains accessible to the public and maintains its natural beauty. Compton Withy Bed is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers seeking to immerse themselves in the peaceful ambiance of this picturesque woodland retreat.

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Compton Withy Bed Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.750513/-2.6246944 or Grid Reference SY5694. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Eggardon Hill Eggardon Hill is a prehistoric hill fort built on chalk uplands. The highest point stands at 252 metres above sea level and offers outstanding views to the Jurassic Coast. The southern half of the site is owned by the National Trust.
Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill is a prehistoric hill fort built on chalk uplands. The highest point stands at 252 metres above sea level and offers outstanding views to the Jurassic Coast. The southern half of the site is owned by the National Trust.
Looking east along the Roman Road at Two Gates The thick fog in this photo was coming in from the sea (to the right) and making driving on this narrow (but straight) road quite difficult. It had been sunny only a few hours earlier, which shows how quickly the weather can change on this high ground (238m above sea level). The Roman road eventually leads to Dorchester.
Looking east along the Roman Road at Two Gates
The thick fog in this photo was coming in from the sea (to the right) and making driving on this narrow (but straight) road quite difficult. It had been sunny only a few hours earlier, which shows how quickly the weather can change on this high ground (238m above sea level). The Roman road eventually leads to Dorchester.
Eggardon hillfort Rampart of hill fort visible by minor road running north west to Powerstock
Eggardon hillfort
Rampart of hill fort visible by minor road running north west to Powerstock
View from Shatcombe Lane towards Eggardon Hill Farm Looking southeast from Shatcombe Lane, with Eggardon Hill Farm in the valley below. According to the map this field has 'celtic field systems' i.e. the earthwork remains of Bronze Age farming. Now it is home to some white bullocks.
View from Shatcombe Lane towards Eggardon Hill Farm
Looking southeast from Shatcombe Lane, with Eggardon Hill Farm in the valley below. According to the map this field has 'celtic field systems' i.e. the earthwork remains of Bronze Age farming. Now it is home to some white bullocks.
Road junction and signpost on Eggardon Hill This junction marks the higher end of Shatcombe Lane. The Eggardon Hill trig point can be seen on the horizon, left of centre. The top of the directional signpost features the number "548948" which I only later realised was the OS grid reference for this sign.
Road junction and signpost on Eggardon Hill
This junction marks the higher end of Shatcombe Lane. The Eggardon Hill trig point can be seen on the horizon, left of centre. The top of the directional signpost features the number "548948" which I only later realised was the OS grid reference for this sign.
Glaciated chalk landscape, Eggardon Hill Looking south from the south-east entrance to Eggardon iron-age hillfort, this glaciated chalk escarpment is beautifully contoured and reminiscent of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/25255">SU2986 : The Manger, north of Uffington Castle</a>. A few sheep can be seen perched on the edge of the steep slope, to the left of the photo.
Glaciated chalk landscape, Eggardon Hill
Looking south from the south-east entrance to Eggardon iron-age hillfort, this glaciated chalk escarpment is beautifully contoured and reminiscent of SU2986 : The Manger, north of Uffington Castle. A few sheep can be seen perched on the edge of the steep slope, to the left of the photo.
Interior of Eggardon hillfort This view is looking southeast from the centre of Eggardon iron-age hillfort. The trig point on Eggardon Hill can be seen on the horizon in the entrance gap of the hillfort's ramparts. The interior of the hillfort is divided in two by this fence which marks an ancient boundary; at the present time the land to the left is privately owned (with a footpath alongside the fence) and the land to the right is in the care of the National Trust.
Interior of Eggardon hillfort
This view is looking southeast from the centre of Eggardon iron-age hillfort. The trig point on Eggardon Hill can be seen on the horizon in the entrance gap of the hillfort's ramparts. The interior of the hillfort is divided in two by this fence which marks an ancient boundary; at the present time the land to the left is privately owned (with a footpath alongside the fence) and the land to the right is in the care of the National Trust.
Flytipping at Shatcombe Lane picnic Area, Eggardon Hill A nearby sign (not pictured) asks visitors to PLEASE LEAVE THIS AREA AS YOU WOULD HOPE TO FIND IT. Someone obviously hoped to find it containing a broken fridge and washing machine. Why bring it up here to the top of a remote Dorset hill?
Flytipping at Shatcombe Lane picnic Area, Eggardon Hill
A nearby sign (not pictured) asks visitors to PLEASE LEAVE THIS AREA AS YOU WOULD HOPE TO FIND IT. Someone obviously hoped to find it containing a broken fridge and washing machine. Why bring it up here to the top of a remote Dorset hill?
View from Eggardon Hill to the sea
View from Eggardon Hill to the sea
Eggardon Hill Interior The barren flatness that is the present-day interior of the Iron Age hill fort at Eggardon Hill.
Eggardon Hill Interior
The barren flatness that is the present-day interior of the Iron Age hill fort at Eggardon Hill.
West Compton: parish church of St. Michael Although the village is immediately west of Compton Valence, the name West Compton actually refers to Compton Abbas, some 20 miles away – to which parish it was originally a detachment.
West Compton: parish church of St. Michael
Although the village is immediately west of Compton Valence, the name West Compton actually refers to Compton Abbas, some 20 miles away – to which parish it was originally a detachment.
House on the road southwest of Wynford Eagle
House on the road southwest of Wynford Eagle
Hillfort slopes and broad view From the top of Eggardon Hill, looking out across the slopes of Eggardon hillfort to the west Dorset countryside.
Hillfort slopes and broad view
From the top of Eggardon Hill, looking out across the slopes of Eggardon hillfort to the west Dorset countryside.
Eggardon Hill: lush slopes and sea view
Eggardon Hill: lush slopes and sea view
Green view from Eggardon This is a view across south Dorset from Eggardon Hill (exact position uncertain). Where the horizon dips about ⅓ along from the left-hand edge, Portland is just recognisable.
Green view from Eggardon
This is a view across south Dorset from Eggardon Hill (exact position uncertain). Where the horizon dips about ⅓ along from the left-hand edge, Portland is just recognisable.
Isolated farm building Isolated farm building as viewed from the north east on Jubilee Trail. Building currently used to shelter sheep.
Isolated farm building
Isolated farm building as viewed from the north east on Jubilee Trail. Building currently used to shelter sheep.
New tree planting Looking south along the bridleway, there are many acres of newly planted trees to the east.
New tree planting
Looking south along the bridleway, there are many acres of newly planted trees to the east.
Toller Porcorum: Barrowland Lane This lane goes straight down the western edge of this gridsquare, and the picture looks north right from where it enters the next square west. The Rampisham radio masts can be seen in the background, as they can from many vantage points in this area.
Toller Porcorum: Barrowland Lane
This lane goes straight down the western edge of this gridsquare, and the picture looks north right from where it enters the next square west. The Rampisham radio masts can be seen in the background, as they can from many vantage points in this area.
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Compton Withy Bed is located at Grid Ref: SY5694 (Lat: 50.750513, Lng: -2.6246944)

Unitary Authority: Dorset

Police Authority: Dorset

What 3 Words

///withdraws.speak.explored. Near Maiden Newton, Dorset

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.750513,-2.6246944
Ford: yes
Lat/Long: 50.7516654/-2.6204533
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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