Parley Common
Parley Common is where the Smooth Snake was first discovered in the British Isles. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its internationally important Lowland Heath. The site represents a remnant of the once continuous swathe of heath which flowed from the New Forest to Purbeck.
Grid reference: SZ 092 005
Size: the heath is 145 Ha in size, although not all of this is SSSI
Look out for: All six species of British reptile. Grass snakes are often found in the stream as well as several species of dragonfly. The birds most often seen or heard on site are green woodpeckers, stonechats, Dartford warblers, nightjars, buzzards and kestrels. Butterflies that are often sighted include the silver studded blue, marbled white, painted lady, white admiral, orange tip, peacock, grayling and many more. Many badger setts can be found among the trees, some of which are still active, and roe deer can often be spotted in the woods around the common.
Habitats: there are several different habitat types at Parley Common. There are areas of dry heath, humid heath, wet heath and mire. There are also areas of deciduous broad-leaved woodland and pine plantation.
History: Parley Common has been the site of some interesting firsts. In Heathlands (Collins, 1986) Professor Nigel Webb says that Parley Common is 'renowned for the numerous rare species that have been found there.' It was at Parley Common in the late nineteenth century that the now extinct Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus) was first discovered. The Large Bagworm (Pachythelia villosella) and the Ringed Carpet (Cleora cincaria) were also first discovered here, as was the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), which was first recorded in Britain on Parley Heath in 1853. But it was the discovery of the Speckled Footman (Coscinia cribraria) in 1820 that really put Parley Common on the map.
Site designations:
Owner: The majority of Parley Common is owned by the Canford Estate. A Glebe strip is owned by the Diocese of Salisbury. Dorset County Council owns part of the heath near the Heatherland's Centre at Trickett's Cross, and East Dorset District Council own part of the heath in the Northwest. There are a few private individuals who own small areas within the SSSI.
Managed by: Most of the heath is managed by the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC). East Dorset Countryside Management Service manage the area owned by East Dorset District Council and and Dorset Countryside manage the area owned by Dorset County Council.
Nearest town: Ferndown
Nearest bus stop: Ringwood Road, Wilts and Dorset bus route
Nearest train station: Poole (10 miles)
Parking: On Street.
Accessibility: Open Access Area
Facilities: Bench and good riverside bird watching.
How to get there
From the north: follow the A31 Ringwood Road towards Ferndown, then take the A348 Ringwood Road towards Trickett's Cross and West Parley. Bear left at the Sainsbury's roundabout (keeping on the A348), then turn left at the Trickett's Cross roundabout onto Turbary Road. Turn right at the T-junction on to Lockyers Drive, follow the road round to another T-junction, turning right again onto Barns Road. The entrance to Parley Common is alongside the Heatherlands Community Centre on the bend of Barns Road.
From the south: follow the A348 Ringwood Road north towards Ferndown. Turn right at the Trickett's Cross roundabout onto Turbary Road. Turn right at the T-junction on to Lockyers Drive, follow the road round to another T-junction, turning right again onto Barns Road. The entrance to Parley Common is alongside the Heatherlands Community Centre on the bend of Barns Road.
Management Plan
A perimeter fence has been installed around the entire site to stop access to motor vehicles and prevent fly tipping. Grazing has also been successfully re-introduced to control scrub growth as part of an ongoing traditional management plan.
