Higher Hyde Heath Nature Reserve

Heathland stretches as far as you can see here, broken only by patches of silver birch and the odd gorse bush blazing yellow. Higher Hyde Heath Nature Reserve sits between Wareham and the Purbeck Hills, covering several hundred acres of classic Dorset heath that feels wonderfully wild despite being so accessible.

This is proper walking country. The terrain varies from boggy hollows where cotton grass waves in the breeze to drier ridges where heather dominates. Bird watchers get a real treat - I've spotted stonechats, linnets and the occasional hobby hunting overhead. The reserve forms part of the larger Dorset Heaths, so it connects with miles of similar habitat.

Families with older children who don't mind a proper ramble will love it here. Younger ones might find the landscape a bit samey after an hour, though the variety of wildlife keeps things interesting. The paths aren't always clearly marked, so bring an OS map if you're planning to explore properly.

From Wareham Forest Tourist Park or any of the other nearby sites around Wareham, it's a cracking day out that shows off Dorset's wilder side. The reserve works well combined with a trip to nearby Corfe Castle - completely different landscapes but both quintessentially Dorset. Allow at least two hours if you want to do it justice, longer if the weather's good and you fancy a proper trek across the heath.