Bishop's Wood

Wood, Forest in Dorset

England

Bishop's Wood

Bridehead Lake, Little Bredy Credit: Gary Rogers

Bishop's Wood is a picturesque woodland area located in the county of Dorset, England. Covering an expansive area of approximately 200 hectares, this woodland is known for its tranquil beauty and diverse flora and fauna. Situated near the village of Bloxworth, Bishop's Wood is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

The woodland is predominantly made up of native broadleaf trees such as oak, beech, and birch, creating a rich and varied ecosystem. These trees provide a habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including deer, badgers, foxes, and numerous bird species. Visitors to Bishop's Wood can often spot woodpeckers, owls, and various woodland birds amidst the dense foliage.

The woodland offers a network of well-maintained footpaths and trails, allowing visitors to explore its beauty at their own pace. These paths wind through the trees, offering glimpses of enchanting clearings and meandering streams. The peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty of Bishop's Wood make it an ideal location for walking, picnicking, and photography.

Managed by the Forestry Commission, Bishop's Wood also serves as an educational resource, providing opportunities for school groups and individuals to learn about woodland management and conservation. The area is regularly monitored and protected to ensure the preservation of its unique environment.

Overall, Bishop's Wood in Dorset offers a serene and captivating experience for nature lovers, showcasing the beauty and importance of woodland ecosystems. Whether for relaxation, exploration, or education, this woodland provides a haven for all who visit.

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Bishop's Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.702978/-2.5866072 or Grid Reference SY5889. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bridehead Lake, Little Bredy

Gary Rogers

St. Michael and All Angels

Little Bredy

Gary Rogers

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.

David Purchase

Junction of a minor road with the A35 at the Poor Lot barrow cemetery

Looking southeast at the junction, with the largest of the Poor Lot bronze-age barrows behind. Part of the barrow cemetery is an English Heritage site, but there is no safe or convenient place to park.

Jim Champion

Black Down and the Poor Lot barrows, Winterbourne Abbas

Looking northeast across Black Down: the A35 is hidden in the valley below and the concave remains of round barrows can be seen in the ploughed fields on the opposite hillslope.

Jim Champion

Verdant pasture south of the A35 between Martin's Down and Black Down

The feature just the other side of the fence on the far side of the valley is a badly mutilated round barrow with a capstone, which lies just within this grid square.

Jim Champion

Church of St Michael and All Angels, Little Bredy

Bob Ford

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.

Jim Champion

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).

Jim Champion

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.

Jim Champion

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.

Jim Champion

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.

Jim Champion

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.

Jim Champion

Fallow field south of New Close Coppice

This large field south of New Close Coppice (visible in the background) has been left fallow. Amongst the thistles and yellow flowers (?) there is the odd trace of previous crops e.g. barley, rape.

Jim Champion

Kingston Russell Stone Circle

Paul Snelling

Barrows at Black Down

The barrows in this picture are two of many in the area, along with a multitude of dents, bumps and tumuli. These are in an area called the Poor Lot Barrows. The road at the T-junction is the A35. I am submitting further pictures of the area in this square and in SY5990.

Stephen Williams

Poor Lot Barrows, Black Down

A view of the barrows from further up the road. More pictures around this site can be seen in square SY5990.

Stephen Williams

Mysterious tumulus near Broad Stone

Misty spring view of an ancient circular feature on a hillside overlooking the A35 west of Winterbourne Abbas. There is a similar feature among the tumuli on the other side of the road at Poor Lot Barrows.

Stephen Williams

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Bishop's Wood is located at Grid Ref: SY5889 (Lat: 50.702978, Lng: -2.5866072)

Unitary Authority: Dorset

Police Authority: Dorset