Radipole Lake RSPB Nature Reserve

Radipole Lake nature reserve is located in the centre of Weymouth less than 10 minutes walk from our B&B and is considered to be one of the most important areas for migrating birds on the whole of the south coast of England. It was declared a bird sanctuary in 1929 and has been managed by the RSPB since 1976. It is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The reedbeds at Radipole Lake are now home to many rare birds, including Cetti's warblers, bearded tits and bitterns.

Call in at the visitors centre to find out about the exciting new developments taking place now and in the future.

More information is available from the RSPB Website.

What to see in Spring

• Migrant birds from Europe and Africa setting up territories and building nests
• Brimstone butterflies feeding on buckthorn
• Chattering song of hundreds of warblers in the reeds
• Blossom in the hedges along the paths

What to see in Summer

• Emperor and migrant hawker dragonflies hovering over the reedbeds
• Marsh orchids and other wild flowers in the meadows
• Little and great crested grebe chicks by the visitor centre
• Flocks of swallows and martins feeding over the lagoons

What to see in Autumn

• Thousands of starlings roosting in the reedbeds
• Bearded tit flocks feeding on reed seeds
• Kingfishers on posts outside the visitor centre
• Wrynecks along the reserve paths

What to see in Winter

• Large flocks of pochards and scaups on the open water
• Overwintering bitterns in the reeds
• Water rails and snipe along the edges of the reedbeds
• Roosting little egrets at the North Hide

Lodmoor RSPB Nature Reserve

Located just east of Weymouth about 20 minutes walk from our B&B, Lodmoor contains a mixture of habitats including reedbeds, open water, wet grassland and saltmarsh. The reserve provides a safe refuge for large numbers of ducks and plovers during the winter and its saltmarsh areas attract rare and unusual wading birds from Europe and further afield.

It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

What to see in Spring

• Swallows and martins, newly arrived from Africa, feeding over the reeds
• Wading birds such as the little ringed plover passing through
• Speckled wood butterflies along the hedgerows
• Early spring flowers along the paths

What to see in Summer

• Common terns diving for fish
• Sedge warblers calling from the scrub
• Broods of young ducks, including gadwalls, shelducks and shovellers, on the open water
• Hundreds of swallows, martins and wagtails flying in for food

What to see in Autumn

• Arrival of unusual wading birds from Europe and Africa
• Wood and green sandpipers on the saltmarsh
• Water pipits at Overcombe
• Visiting rarer herons

What to see in Winter

• Large flocks of lapwings and golden plovers
• A variety of ducks, including widgeons, feeding on the saltmarsh
• Little egrets feeding in the ditches
• Birds of prey such as peregrines hunting over the reserve

Portland Bird Observatory

Portland is a great place to see migrating birds as they stop off on their long journeys.

Find out more at the Bird Observatory website

Kingston Maurward Gardens & Animal Park

Set in a classical 18th century Capability Brown style parkland just outside Dorchester with majestic lawns sweeping down from the Grade 1 listed Georgian house to a beautiful ornamental lake. Kingston Maurward has formal Edwardian gardens, a Japanese style garden and houses the National Collection of Penstemons and Salvias. The Animal Park contains a wide and interesting collection of small, medium and large animals which will be of interest to all ages. These include donkeys, miniature Shetland ponies, rabbits, sheep, pigs and calves.

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Llama Trekking

West Dorset has been voted the most popular area of outstanding natural beauty by the readers of National Country Walking Magazine. So why not discover rural Dorset in the company of our lovely Llamas with personalised guided Trekking, Rambling and Walking Tours designed to suit your individual requirements and pace.

Walking with Llamas is a relaxing and very special experience. Great fun for all ages, an adventure you will never forget at a very reasonable cost.

For over 5000 years Llamas in the mountainous Andes of South America have provided food, shelter, wool and above all, the ability to carry heavy loads.

These hardy, extremely agile and elegant animals are gentle, easy to handle and great fun to be with.

• Personalised treks arranged
• Llama sales - We specialise in trained pack Llamas
• Llamas available for TV and Film work
• Learn with Llamas
• Gift vouchers available
• Early booking advisable

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