Owner: East Dorset District Council

Managed by: East Dorset Countryside Management Service

Grid reference: SU 087 081

Nearest town: Verwood

Size (Ha): 0.3 Ha

Nearest bus stop: Junction of St Michaels Road and Manor Road, Wilts and Dorset bus route

Nearest train station: Bournemouth (15 miles)

Habitats: mixed woodland of oak, birch, ash and Scots pine, with a bramble and holly understorey. The copse also has dense laurel and rhododendron around its boundaries.

Look out for: woodland birds

Parking: no parking

Accessibility: access to site is through squeeze stiles

Facilities: dog bins

How to get there:

From Verwood village centre: follow Manor Road (B3072) to the Morrisons roundabout. Turn right down the unmade road running alongside Harley's Chip Shop (Springfield Road). At the T-junction turn left to take you to the entrance to the copse.

From Three-Legged Cross: follow signs for Verwood (Manor Road, B3072) to Morrisons roundabout. Turn left down the unmade road alongside Harley's Chip Shop (Springfield Road). At the T-junction turn left to take you to the copse entrance.

Management plan:

Management responsibility was handed to the East Dorset Countryside Management Service in 2001, when the Rangers sought the involvement of local residents in tidying up the copse and beginning some conservation management works. The response and enthusiasm from the residents was excellent, and there have been several productive work days since, installing new formal entrance points, improving footpaths, clearing some laurel, and creating a small glade. Through continued care and attention we hope to increase the wildlife value of the copse, whilst retaining its amenity value for the enjoyment of local people.

If you would like to find out more about future management plans for Springfield Copse, please contact Matt Reeks at Moors Valley Country Park on 01425 470721, or e-mail mreeks@eastdorset.gov.uk