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Main Instructor:

Chris Pole

Hosted By:

Chris Pole

Walk Description:

The walk starts at Parley wood, a natural woodland of around 16 acres.

Both Parley wood and Parley Common come under SSSI status. It is where the Smooth snake was first discovered in 1852 in the UK. The common is managed by ARC but the majority is owned by the Canford estate. It is an important area for rare invertebrates such as sand lizards.

The common is an important example of lowland heath and supports many species of birds, the silver studded blue butterfly and rare plants.

From the wood the walk goes onto Parley Common (two small area can be very wet).

We will take a circular walk around the nature reserve which has lovely views over Ferndown Golf course.

The paths vary from wide to narrow in places.

Our return loop comes through the wood on a different route then across the recreation ground to the carpark.

This is an easy walk taken at a sociable pace.

Option afterwards for refreshments at In Excess garden centre which has the nearet toilets.

Please bring water as the route is exposed, we will stop for a drink at intervals.

The turning into the carpark is opposite a large Nursing home called Parley Place care home. Go past the Memorial hall into the back carpark. There is a building there called Parley Sports FC. Free parking.

Location Notes:

Free carpark. Nearest toilets at In Excess garden centre nearby. This walk can be muddy and one wet area entering the heath.