Includes Sites of Special Scientific Interest because of rare heathland wildlife.

Bourne Valley nature reserve is made up of parts of Bourne Bottom and Bourne Valley Park.

The area is renowned as one of the best sites in Dorset for dragonflies, which thrive in the small acidic pools on the wet heath.

There are excellent walking and cycle links along the Bourne Valley Greenway between the north Poole and Bournemouth area.

News and events are available on the Poole's heathlands Facebook page.

Entrance

There are entrances on Evering Avenue, Bloxworth Road and St Brelades Avenue. The nearest postcode is BH12 4JP.

Parking

There is limited parking on roads near the reserve.

Dogs

Dogs must be on a short lead when livestock is near and during the bird breeding season from 1 March to 31 July. At other times dogs must be under close control.

Habitats

The wide variety of habitats at Bourne Valley comprise:

• dry acid dwarf shrub heath
• wet heath
• valley mire
• flush
• bog pools
• ponds
• running water
• willow carr
• secondary oak and birch woodland
• acidic, pasture and amenity grassland.

Look out for

Dragonflies, sand lizards and Dartford warblers.