Thorncombe Woods, Black Heath and Hardy's Birthplace

This magical Local Nature Reserve is a mixed woodland and heathland listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory. The 26 hectare site is home to a great diversity of trees including mature Oaks, Sweet Chestnut and Beech. The woodland gives way to Black Heath, an area of heath in restoration with its own herd of Dartmoor ponies. Running through the site is a well preserved Roman Road. This Scheduled Ancient Monument, would have stretched from Dorchester to Badbury Rings. Rushy Pond, famous from Thomas Hardy works, is home to amphibians, dragonflies and is the hunting ground for resident grass snakes as well as being a watering hole for the ponies and other wildlife. The site is adjacent to Hardy's Cottage, birthplace of novelist and poet Thomas Hardy. Hardys Birthplace Visitor Centre at the entrance to the site hosts information, café, shop, toilet facilities and a ranger workshop