Things to do in Bear Cross, Dorset

Happy Bottom Nature Reserve is a safe environment where wildlife can thrive, with a rich and varied history, spanning Roman roads, nearby ancient barrows, Victorian railways and 20th century farming. It forms part of the Corfe Barrows Nature Park.

A surviving area of Dorset heathland with views across Poole Harbour, Corfe Castle and the Isle of Purbeck. A beautiful nature reserve to visit at any time of the year.

A traditional hay meadow with an abundance of wildflower species.

A mixture of meadows and woodland with a range of interesting waterloving plants

Internationally important area of Poole Harbour managed in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation; part of The Great Heath Living Landscape.

Dry and wet heath, bordered by woodland

Species-rich meadows at the heart of Verwood in the east of the county.

Traditional pasture with a small pond, wet grassland, oak woodland and hedges

Ancient hazel and ash coppice which is carpeted in bluebells in the Spring

COVID 19:The hides at Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve are OPEN daily, 9am-4.15pm. We want to keep everyone feeling confident and safe when using the hides and are therefore asking you to help us to achieve this by:- wearing a face covering when in the hide- opening sufficient windows to establish air circulation- maintaining at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance from persons with whom you are not connectedThe Education Centre (including the toilets) will remain closed to the public for now, but we will keep this under review. In the meantime we will continue to provide accessible and standard portable toilets for our visitors convenience and comfort.The footpaths are open as normal with the following exceptions:- There is currently no access beyond Ivy South Hide to the Ellingham Lake/Wild Walk while the connecting boardwalk is replaced.- Due to longstanding difficulties with the leasehold outside of our control the closed footpath between Tern and Goosander Hides remains closed.