The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of a family of protected landscapes in the UK, working to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of almost half of Dorset's countryside.
Rather than just one beautiful landscape to shout about, the Dorset AONB is a collection of beautiful landscapes - each with different histories, ways of working and stories to tell.
Join us for a circular walk from Poundbury to Maiden Castle on Wednesday 14 January and get your New Year resolutions off to a good start! Fresh air, gentle exercise, great views and great insights in the company of Steve Wallis, Dorset County Council Senior Archaeologist. For more information or to book a (free) place please contact Jill Hearing j.hearing@dorsetcc.gov.uk or tel: 01305 228273
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED BUT WE HOPE TO ARRANGE A REPEAT EVENT THE FOLLOWING WEEK: if you would like to add your name to a waiting list and be kept informed when details are confirmed please contact Hayley on 07706 442 377 or email: HRoberts@bournemouth.ac.uk
Portesham is a special place - but do you know just how special? The village lies at the heart of what has been described as one of the most important prehistoric landscapes in Europe, where our ancestors commemorated their dead in barrows high on the Ridgeway. Join Hayley Roberts, an archaeologist at Bournemouth University, for an illustrated talk exploring the field systems, settlements and burial monuments which are all clues hidden in the landscape. There will also be an opportunity to get involved in discussions about the future of archaeology in Portesham and how you can get involved in new research - this place was very special indeed to our ancestors and we need your help to make sure it remains so for future generations to celebrate and enjoy. For more information please contact Hayley on 07706 442 377 or book your ticket at Eventbrite - Portesham Archaeology Talk
Join us on Sunday 22 February on William Barnes' birthday for a circular walk from Dorchester exploring the life and landscape of Dorset's own pastoral poet. For more information and to book a place please contact Jill Hearing j.hearing@dorsetcc.gov.uk or tel: 01305 228273
Join our South Dorset Ridgeway Ranger, Russell Goff, for a day out (or two) to get stuck in helping us clear areas of encroaching scrub with bowsaws and loppers and managing the bonfire. No skills or experience needed as full training and protective clothing will be provided.
Join our South Dorset Ridgeway Ranger, Russell Goff, for a day out (or two) to get stuck in helping us clear areas of encroaching scrub with bowsaws and loppers and managing the bonfire. No skills or experience needed as full training and protective clothing will be provided.
Come and join us for a day of traditional hedge laying at Moignes Court in Owermoigne. You will be given the opportunity to learn the traditional techniques of hedge-laying using hand tools such as the billhook and bowsaw and some re-planting of new trees will be necessary to fill in the gaps in the hedge.
Traditional hedgerows are an important part of our cultural heritage, landscape and history of a place and they often mark parish boundaries and ancient monuments, creating rich and varied patterns in the countryside. Many hedges contain beautiful old veteran trees that have been preserved by pollarding and hedges have great value to wildlife. They provide food, shelter and refuge for the majority of farmland wildlife and a number of rare or threatened species such as the brown hairstreak butterfly and the tiny dormouse.
No skills or previous experience is necessary as training, tools and protective clothing will be provided. Please bring a packed lunch and hot drinks and snacks will be provided.
Join us on Friday 20 March for a guided walk on the South Dorset Ridgeway and find out more about The Chalk, the Springs and how they helped form this landscape. For more information and to book a place please contact Jill Hearing j.hearing@dorsetcc.gov.uk or tel: 01305 228273
Join us for International Dawn Chorus Day on Sunday 3 May and experience the joyous sounds of our songbirds in spring. Don't treat yourself to a lie-in - just this once, get up with the larks and treat yourself to nature's daily miracle of sound, which so often goes unheard. For more information and to book a place please contact Jill Hearing j.hearing@dorsetcc.gov.uk or tel: 01305 228273
