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Ash Bed

Wood, Forest in Dorset

England

Ash Bed

Lane to Playfield A view along the lane (Puddle Hole) towards Redway
Lane to Playfield Credit: Adrian Stone

Ash Bed is a well-known wood located in Dorset, England. It is a part of the larger Dorset Forest, which covers a vast area of approximately 42,000 hectares. The wood is situated in the eastern region of the county, near the village of Ashmore.

Ash Bed is renowned for its picturesque beauty and diverse range of flora and fauna. The wood is predominantly composed of ash trees, hence the name, but it also features a mix of other tree species such as oak, birch, and hazel. This variety of trees creates a rich and vibrant canopy that offers a haven for numerous bird species, including woodpeckers, thrushes, and nuthatches.

The forest floor of Ash Bed is covered with a thick layer of leaf litter, providing a fertile ground for a plethora of plant species to thrive. Bluebells, primroses, and wild garlic are just a few examples of the colorful blooms that can be found in the wood during the spring months.

Ash Bed is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and walkers alike. Several well-marked trails wind through the wood, allowing visitors to explore its natural wonders at their own pace. The wood also offers opportunities for wildlife spotting, with deer, rabbits, and squirrels commonly seen in the area.

Overall, Ash Bed in Dorset is a captivating woodland that showcases the beauty of nature in its purest form. Its tranquil atmosphere, diverse array of plants and wildlife, and accessibility make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat or an opportunity to reconnect with the natural world.

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Ash Bed Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.699997/-2.6203695 or Grid Reference SY5689. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Lane to Playfield A view along the lane (Puddle Hole) towards Redway
Lane to Playfield
A view along the lane (Puddle Hole) towards Redway
The Kingston Russell stone circle The Kingston Russell stone circle (also known as the Gorwell circle, from a nearby farm) is about 2.5 km due north of Abbotsbury in Dorset. There are 18 sarsen stones arranged in an almost-circular oval shape about 25m in diameter. It is the largest circle, by diameter, in Dorset although others have larger stones. Several paths meet close to the circle, so it is easily visited: this is best done when the grass is short, as otherwise the stones can be hidden.
The Kingston Russell stone circle
The Kingston Russell stone circle (also known as the Gorwell circle, from a nearby farm) is about 2.5 km due north of Abbotsbury in Dorset. There are 18 sarsen stones arranged in an almost-circular oval shape about 25m in diameter. It is the largest circle, by diameter, in Dorset although others have larger stones. Several paths meet close to the circle, so it is easily visited: this is best done when the grass is short, as otherwise the stones can be hidden.
Late January Green Valley Taken from the northern slope of the Bride Valley looking south towards Ashley Chase. Late afternoon sunshine created dramatic shadows and impressive highlights.
Late January Green Valley
Taken from the northern slope of the Bride Valley looking south towards Ashley Chase. Late afternoon sunshine created dramatic shadows and impressive highlights.
Pond northwest of Lower Kingston Russell Farm This pond is alongside the Macmillan Way footpath, a few hundred metres northwest of Lower Kingston Russell Farm. One of the west Dorset chalk ridgeways dominates the background - with Long Barrow Hill on the far left and Whatcombe Down on the right.
Pond northwest of Lower Kingston Russell Farm
This pond is alongside the Macmillan Way footpath, a few hundred metres northwest of Lower Kingston Russell Farm. One of the west Dorset chalk ridgeways dominates the background - with Long Barrow Hill on the far left and Whatcombe Down on the right.
View north from Tenants Hill Descending from Tenants Hill on the Macmillan Way footpath, this is the view northwest towards Pitcombe Down. In the middle distance is a dairy herd from Lower Kingston Russell Farm, and on the right is what looks like a freshly dug chalk pit (it's bright white and it's not marked on the most recent OS map).
View north from Tenants Hill
Descending from Tenants Hill on the Macmillan Way footpath, this is the view northwest towards Pitcombe Down. In the middle distance is a dairy herd from Lower Kingston Russell Farm, and on the right is what looks like a freshly dug chalk pit (it's bright white and it's not marked on the most recent OS map).
Spreading sycamore on the slopes of Tenants Hill Descending Tenants Hill on the Macmillan Way footpath, this huge spreading sycamore grows on the chalky slope with few other trees for company.
Spreading sycamore on the slopes of Tenants Hill
Descending Tenants Hill on the Macmillan Way footpath, this huge spreading sycamore grows on the chalky slope with few other trees for company.
Lower Kingston Russell farm Labelled on the 1940s OS map as "Kingston Russell Dairy" this farm still maintains a large dairy herd depastured on the chalky northern slopes of Tenants Hill.
Lower Kingston Russell farm
Labelled on the 1940s OS map as "Kingston Russell Dairy" this farm still maintains a large dairy herd depastured on the chalky northern slopes of Tenants Hill.
Hazel coppice near Lower Kingston Russell Farm The Macmillan Way footpath passes through this hazel coppice east of Lower Kingston Russell farm. A few bluebell flowers persist in the undergrowth, although now its June they are past their best.
Hazel coppice near Lower Kingston Russell Farm
The Macmillan Way footpath passes through this hazel coppice east of Lower Kingston Russell farm. A few bluebell flowers persist in the undergrowth, although now its June they are past their best.
Recumbent stones at Kingston Russell stone circle The stones at this stone circle are all recumbent (lying down) which is unusual in the south of England, so it is assumed that they have fallen since the site's construction in the late neolithic/early bronze age. The site is run by English Heritage and the lush grass in this hilltop pasture has been strimmed away from around the stones.
Recumbent stones at Kingston Russell stone circle
The stones at this stone circle are all recumbent (lying down) which is unusual in the south of England, so it is assumed that they have fallen since the site's construction in the late neolithic/early bronze age. The site is run by English Heritage and the lush grass in this hilltop pasture has been strimmed away from around the stones.
Pink Lake Coppice, Ashley Chase Looking south at Pink Lake Coppice from the bridleway to Gorwell Farm. The hill in the distance is Abbotsbury Castle and the wooded area running down the coombe to the right is Limekiln Coppice.
Pink Lake Coppice, Ashley Chase
Looking south at Pink Lake Coppice from the bridleway to Gorwell Farm. The hill in the distance is Abbotsbury Castle and the wooded area running down the coombe to the right is Limekiln Coppice.
Open with care Field gate on the bridleway to Gorwell Farm - the bolt came off in my hand when I tried to open the gate, the retaining spring and pin were missing.
Open with care
Field gate on the bridleway to Gorwell Farm - the bolt came off in my hand when I tried to open the gate, the retaining spring and pin were missing.
Bridleway northwest of Ashley Chase Dairy This private road and public bridleway leads to a lane that eventually leads to Rowden Bridge over the River Bride. The steep chalk hills are not well suited to arable farming, and so there are plenty of dairies in this area.
Bridleway northwest of Ashley Chase Dairy
This private road and public bridleway leads to a lane that eventually leads to Rowden Bridge over the River Bride. The steep chalk hills are not well suited to arable farming, and so there are plenty of dairies in this area.
Long Bredy surroundings View from the end of the lane in this grid square towards Long Bredy. The hill behind the church is Long Barrow Hill.
Long Bredy surroundings
View from the end of the lane in this grid square towards Long Bredy. The hill behind the church is Long Barrow Hill.
Little-used footpath south of Lower Farm The footpath through this field looks like it is little used. The stile was overgrown with nettles and there was little evidence of a route through the long grass. There is a likely explanation - the path does not actually join up with the road at Lower Farm, it turns sharply to the east. The path is effectively a "long cut".
Little-used footpath south of Lower Farm
The footpath through this field looks like it is little used. The stile was overgrown with nettles and there was little evidence of a route through the long grass. There is a likely explanation - the path does not actually join up with the road at Lower Farm, it turns sharply to the east. The path is effectively a "long cut".
Footpath to Lower Farm, Long Bredy On the map the footpath crosses the field, in reality there is an electric fence around the field so the track at the edge is a better route. Annoyingly the footpath doesn't actually join with the public road at Lower Farm.
Footpath to Lower Farm, Long Bredy
On the map the footpath crosses the field, in reality there is an electric fence around the field so the track at the edge is a better route. Annoyingly the footpath doesn't actually join with the public road at Lower Farm.
Open air altar of the ruined St Luke's chapel among trees This is still a consecrated church, despite only one arch remaining standing. In a bluebell wood, surrounded by streams. Only accessible by footpaths. A secret treasure to be guarded.
Open air altar of the ruined St Luke's chapel among trees
This is still a consecrated church, despite only one arch remaining standing. In a bluebell wood, surrounded by streams. Only accessible by footpaths. A secret treasure to be guarded.
Ford and bridge near Watergate House A high class ford with concrete tracks for most vehicles, with a well-constructed bridge for pedestrians, gives access to Watergate House.
Ford and bridge near Watergate House
A high class ford with concrete tracks for most vehicles, with a well-constructed bridge for pedestrians, gives access to Watergate House.
Ford and access to Watergate House This ford gives access to Watergate House. It is also on the Macmillan Way long distance path from Lincolnshire to Dorset.
Ford and access to Watergate House
This ford gives access to Watergate House. It is also on the Macmillan Way long distance path from Lincolnshire to Dorset.
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Ash Bed is located at Grid Ref: SY5689 (Lat: 50.699997, Lng: -2.6203695)

Unitary Authority: Dorset

Police Authority: Dorset

What 3 Words

///wallet.obey.basically. Near Maiden Newton, Dorset

Nearby Locations

Long Bredy Ash Bed

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.699997,-2.6203695
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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