Dorset Walks

2017 Programme of wildlife walks with Bob Ford



Unless otherwise stated, all walks are for 90 minutes over a distance of 1 - 2 miles and cost £4.00 - no booking required.

Click on the map reference to see a map showing each starting point.

Walks are never cancelled due to bad weather, but sometimes this list does have to be changed - so please check the latest version of this web site before you leave!

For more information or telephone 01305 750118 or 07980 967473


links:
walks archive ...
birdbreaks archive ...
last year's walks ...
rodwell trail ...
video blog ...


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walks that have already taken place:

Friday December 29th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday December 22nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)



Tuesday December 19th
Portland Bill - Westcliffs - Tout Quarry  see trip report

Monday December 18th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Beachcombing walk on Weymouth Beach
  see trip report
Meet at the Pavilion car park,
map reference SY683788 (click to see map)


Friday December 15th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday December 11th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Newton's Cove
  see trip report
Meet in the Barrack Road car park opposite the Nothe Tavern,
map reference SY683787 (click to see map)


Friday December 8th - Sunday December 10th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday December 8th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday December 4th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Abbotsbury Beach
  see trip report
Meet at the Abbotsbury beach car park,
map reference SY561847 (see map)


Friday December 1st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday November 27th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Tidmoor Point
  see trip report
Meet on Chickerell Road just west of Putton Lane,
map reference SY650794 (click to see map)

Friday November 24th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday November 20th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Beachcombing walk on Weymouth Beach
  see trip report
Meet at the Pavilion car park,
map reference SY683788 (click to see map)


Friday November 17th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday November 13th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Thorncombe Woods, Higher Bockhampton
  see trip report
Meet at the car park for Hardy's Cottage,
map reference SY726922 (click to see map)


Friday November 10th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday November 6th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve
  see trip report
Meet at the car park before the Civic Amenity Site, Preston Beach Road,
map reference SY687809 (see map)


Friday November 3rd - Sunday November 5th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday November 3rd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday October 30th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Chesil Beach, Cogden
see trip report
Meet in the National Trust car park,
map reference SY503883 (see map)


Friday October 27th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday October 23rd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Lorton Meadows
see trip report
Meet at the Dorset Wildlife Trust car park,
map reference SY826675 (see map)

Friday October 20th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday October 13th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)



Monday October 9th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Ferrybridge
 see trip report
Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre,
map reference SY668755 (see map)

Friday October 6th - Sunday October 8th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday October 6th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday September 29th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday September 25th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Rodden Hive
 see trip report
Meet at the layby just west of Langton Herring on the Rodden road,
map reference SY610827 (click to see map)


Friday September 22nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday September 18th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Radipole RSPB Reserve, Weymouth
  see trip report
Meet at the reserve car park, near the visitor centre,
map reference SY675796 (click to see map)


Friday September 15th - Sunday September 17th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday September 15th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday September 11th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Hartland Moor
  see trip report
Meet on the high section of the road between Norden and Middlebere,
map reference SY962847 (click to see map)


Monday September 4th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Moreton Gravel Pits
  see trip report
Meet at Redbridge,
map reference SY789884 (see map)


Friday September 1st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday August 28th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Eggardon Hill
  see trip report
Meet at the pull-in by the crossroads,
map reference SY547945 (see map)


Friday August 25th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday August 21st 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Moreton Forest
  see trip report
Meet at the Forestry Commission entrance a mile east of Waddock Cross,
map reference SY811912 (see map)


Monday August 14th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
East Chaldon
  see trip report
Meet in the car park just east of the village (also known as Chaldon Herring),
map reference SY796834 (see map)


Friday August 11th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday August 7th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Morden Bog, Wareham Forest
  see trip report
Meet in the Sika Trail car park on the Wareham - Bere Regis road,
map reference SY906893 (see map)


Friday August 4th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday July 31st 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Higher Hyde Heath, Bovington
  see trip report
Meet at reserve car park on the N.E. side of the Puddletown Road, between Bovington & Wareham,
map reference SY854899 (click to see map)

Friday July 28th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday July 24th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Culpepper's Dish
  see trip report
Meet at the picnic area,
map reference SY814924 (click to see map)

Friday July 21st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday July 17th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Came Woods
  see trip report
Meet in the layby opposite the woods,
map reference SY697853 (click to see map)


Friday July 14th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday July 10th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Alner's Gorse
  see trip report
Meet in the Butterfly Conservation car park on the north side of the Hazelbury Bryan road, a mile east of King's Stag,
map reference ST737100 (click to see map)

Friday July 7th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday July 3rd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Badbury Rings, Wimborne
  see trip report
Park in the National Trust car park,
map reference ST959030 (click to see map)

Friday June 30th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday June 26th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Stubhampton Bottom
  see trip report
Meet at the Forestry Commission entrance on the Ashmore road,
map reference ST898168 (click to see map)


Friday June 23rd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday June 19th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Sares Wood
  see trip report
Meet in the car park just east of the crossroads,
map reference SY804924 (click to see map)


Friday June 16th - Sunday June 18th
Butterflies and Wild Flowers Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday June 16th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday June 12th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Creech Heath
  see trip report
Meet in the car park for Furzebrook Village Hall,
map reference SY930843 (click to see map)

Friday June 9th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday June 5th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Cerne Abbas
  see trip report
Meet at the picnic site car park under Giant Hill,
map reference ST664015 (click to see map)


Friday June 2nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday May 26th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday May 22nd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Bincombe Down
  see trip report
Meet at the car park above the Weymouth Relief Road approx 1 km west of Came Woods,
map reference SY672859 (click to see map)


Friday May 19th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday May 15th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Yellowham Wood
  see trip report
Meet at the layby on Yellowham Hill, a minor road parallel with the A35 between Dorchester and Puddletown,
map reference SY730933 (click to see map)
.
Friday May 12th - Sunday May 14th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday May 12th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday May 8th - Thursday May 11th
Dorset - Coastal migrants and heathland specialities
  see trip report
A 3-day break based at The Heights Hotel, Portland, (click to see map)
Please book with The Travelling Naturalist.

Friday May 5th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday May 1st 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Tyneham
  see trip report
Meet in the village car park,
map reference SY883803 (click to see map)


Friday April 28th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday April 24th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Swyre Head, Kingston
  see trip report
Meet at the car park approx 1 mile west of Kingston,
map reference SY943793 (click to see map)


Friday April 21st - Sunday April 23rd
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday April 21st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday April 17th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Tadnoll Heath
  see trip report
Meet at the reserve entrance on Redbridge Road between East Knighton and Crossways,
map reference SY791877 (click to see map)

Friday April 14th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday April 7th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday April 3rd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Powerstock Common
  see trip report
Meet at the reserve car park,
map reference SY547974 (click to see map)


Friday March 31st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday March 27th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Stoborough Heath NNR
  see trip report
Meet in the reserve car park at Sunnyside Farm on the road to Arne,
map reference SY938863 (click to see map)

Friday March 24th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday March 20th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Thorncombe Woods, Higher Bockhampton
  see trip report
Meet at the car park for Hardy's Cottage,
map reference SY726922 (click to see map)


Friday March 17th - Sunday March 19th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday March 17th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday March 13th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Great Ovens Hill, Sandford
  see trip report
Meet in the car park on the left side of Morden Road, about 1 mile north of Sandford,
map reference SY923904 (click to see map)

Friday March 10th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday March 6th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Bere Wood
  see trip report
Meet in Bloxworth near the church,
map reference SY881947 (click to see map)


Friday March 3rd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday February 27th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Durdle Door
  see trip report
Meet at the pay and display car park near the caravan park,
map reference SY812809 (click to see map)


Friday February 24th - Sunday February 26th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday February 24th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday February 20th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Meet in the pull-in a half-mile along the road to Holton Lee,
map reference SY956916 (click to see map)

Friday February 17th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday February 13th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Wyke Down
  see trip report
Meet at the layby on the left-hand side half a mile along a minor road running south-east from the A354, half a mile before the Sixpenny Handley roundabout,
map reference SU005151 (click to see map)


Friday February 10th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday February 6th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Upton Country Park
  see trip report
Meet in the main car park near the toilets,
map reference SY992929 (click to see map)

Friday February 3rd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday January 30th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Maiden Castle
  see trip report
Meet at the English Heritage car park,
map reference SY669889 (click to see map)

Friday January 27th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday January 23rd 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Abbotsbury
  see trip report
Meet at the Swannery car park,
map reference SY577846 (click to see map)


Friday January 20th - Sunday January 22nd
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday January 20th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday January 16th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Radipole RSPB Reserve, Weymouth
  see trip report
A visit to see the new birdwatching screen - if it's finished!
Meet at the reserve car park, near the visitor centre,
map reference SY675796 (click to see map)


Friday January 13th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday January 9th 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Newton's Cove
  see trip report
Meet in the Barrack Road car park opposite the Nothe Tavern,
map reference SY683787 (click to see map)


Friday January 6th - Sunday January 8th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)



Friday January 6th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
 The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday January 2nd 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Two Mile Coppice
  see trip report
Meet at the start of Greenway Road,
map reference SY672817 (click to see map)




For more information or telephone 01305 750118 or 07980 967473.

Details on this site are subject to change - check the latest update before you leave!