Families are being invited to enjoy a free summer day out at Canford Heath.
The 344 hectare site is the biggest area of urban heathland in Dorset and the largest lowland urban heath in the UK, giving visitors the chance to spend several hours exploring paths and bridleways.
The heath is home to rare wildlife, including dragonflies, damselflies, Dartford warblers and nightjars, with visitors asked to respect the habitat and keep dogs on leads where required.
It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and supports all 6 of the UK’s native reptiles, including grass snakes, adders, smooth snakes, slow worms, common lizards and sand lizards.
Bryony Jenner, a Heathland Mitigation Ranger at BCP Council, said Canford Heath is a place for “getting out, looking at nature and getting away from the concrete”.
She said: “There’s lots of trails and walks,” adding that visitors could see reptiles beside the paths and that it is “rare to have all six in a single site”.
Councillor Andy Hadley said council teams help maintain and protect the habitat, and asked people to treat the area with care while enjoying the sunshine this summer.
Visitors are asked to stick to designated footpaths and trails, take litter home, and use the bridleway network if cycling. Dogs must be kept on leads during bird breeding season, from 1 March to 31 July.
Picnics are welcome, but fires and barbecues are strictly forbidden because of the risk of wildfires.
See more here.
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