Punchbowl Coppice

Wood, Forest in Dorset

England

Punchbowl Coppice

Bridehead Lake, Little Bredy Credit: Gary Rogers

Punchbowl Coppice is a picturesque woodland located in the enchanting county of Dorset, England. Nestled within the larger expanse of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this captivating forest covers an area of approximately 100 acres.

As its name suggests, Punchbowl Coppice is situated within a natural bowl-shaped depression, creating a unique and idyllic setting. The woodland is predominantly composed of native broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and ash, which create a lush and vibrant canopy overhead, providing a haven for an array of flora and fauna.

Walking through Punchbowl Coppice is a truly immersive experience, with a network of well-maintained trails and footpaths winding their way through the forest. Visitors can expect to encounter an abundance of wildflowers, ferns, and mosses carpeting the forest floor, adding to its ethereal charm. The dappled sunlight filtering through the tree canopy creates a delightful play of light and shadow, further enhancing the serene atmosphere.

The forest is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including numerous bird species such as woodpeckers, owls, and warblers. Mammals such as deer, foxes, and badgers also find sanctuary within the boundaries of Punchbowl Coppice.

With its tranquil ambience and natural beauty, Punchbowl Coppice is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, photographers, and those seeking solace in the great outdoors. The forest offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and provides ample opportunities for walking, birdwatching, and simply immersing oneself in the wonders of nature.

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Punchbowl Coppice Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.700258/-2.5820421 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

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

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

Minor road and Poor Lot barrows.

This minor road is signposted to Compton Valence from the A35, but at its top end on the edge of SY5991 & SY5992 it is simply marked 'Main Road'. Not 'A35', not 'Dorchester, Bridport' but just 'Main Road'. Just after the bend the road drops into SY5890, and beyond the T-junction can be seen the ancient Poor Lot Barrows, complete with another one of those weird round features.

Stephen Williams