Hartland Moor
This walk visits the splendid Hartland Moor National Nature Reserve near Wareham in Dorset. It follows the Hartland Way and Poole Harbour Trail around the woodland and heathland. It's a peaceful and attractive area with a number of bird hides where you can look out for the wide variety of birdlife which visit the heath. Look out for osprey, hen harriers, hobbies, woodlark, stonechats, meadow pipits and avocets from the hide at Middlebere Lake. There's also great views to the nearby Middlebere Heath and Corfe Castle. You can start the walk from the roadside parking near Middlebere Farm.
The area has strong associations with the Wessex of Thomas Hardy Novels. The fictional Egdon Heath, setting for The Return of the Native, is based on the area.
You can extend your walking in the area by visiting Arne Nature Reserve which is a couple of miles to the north of Hartland Moor. Just to the south you can enjoy a walk around Corfe Castle and Corfe Common. You can also pick up the The Hardy Way here and further explore the Purbecks.
Postcode
BH20 5BN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsHartland Moor Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Hartland Moor Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Hartland Moor OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Hartland Moor Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Explore the Area with Google Street View 
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
For more walking ideas in the area see the Dorset Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
View looking east towards Middlebere Heath
Hartland Moor NNR (National Nature Reserve) is a superb example of an extensive heathland site. The NNR covers an entire drainage basin and is unique in having a Y-shaped bog system which includes both acid and alkaline drainage systems. Heathland is a rare and threatened habitat, and many of the species of plants and animals found on Hartland are equally rare.
Middlebere Plateway. Trackbed of Dorset's first railway, albeit horse-drawn. Building started in 1805, and the railway was used to transport clay from workings near Corfe Castle to Middlebere Creek on Poole Harbour.
Pond at Hartland Moor
The moor is one of the finest and most extensive surviving examples of Hardys "Egdon", where a real sense of the open heathland landscape can still be experienced.
View across Hartland Moor towards Corfe Castle. A fine view over open moorland, with the distinctive remains of Corfe Castle a prominent backdrop.