Hambledon Hill NNR
Hambledon Hill NNR is an area of dramatic chalk grassland that rises steeply between the Stour and Iwerne valleys.
County: Dorset
Main habitats: Lowland Grassland
Area: 73 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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The hilltop is encircled by an Iron Age earthwork and there are extensive and complex Neolithic features, making it a site of major archaeological importance.
The grassland provides the main wildlife interest at the site but there are also areas of mixed scrub and a small yew wood.
The reserve's thin infertile soils provide ideal conditions for a variety of fine grasses, sedges and flowering plants, particularly on the steep south and west facing slopes. Common plants found here include milkwort, salad burnet, horseshoe vetch, squinancywort, pyramidal orchid and wild thyme. Rarer species include bastard toadflax, meadow saxifrage, early gentian and dwarf sedge.
Local butterflies include dingy skipper, grizzled skipper, chalkhill blue and adonis blue.
Location and access
The reserve is 15 km south of Gillingham and 7 km north of Blandford Forum, between (and almost immediately adjacent to) the villages of Child Okeford and Iwerne Courtney.
By car, access to the reserve is via minor roads from the A357 and A350. There is a car park on the minor road from Child Okeford immediately to the south of the reserve.
The nearest train station is in Gillingham served by South West Trains. Regular bus services run along the A350 from Gillingham to Blandford Forum, within 2 km of the reserve. There are less frequent services from Gillingham to Child Okeford. For details go to the Travel Search website.
Two major trails cross the reserve, the Stour Valley Way and the Wessex Ridgeway. Child Okeford is also at the junction of Route 25 and the Route 41 link of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in local towns and villages.
Leaflets are available at the site for visitor information.
