Hartland Moor

Hartland Moor is a national nature reserve in Dorset spanning approximately 300 hectares of lowland heathland with varied plant communities. The landscape includes dry heath areas alongside wetter valley mires with walking trails and wildlife viewing points distributed across the site.

The site was home to Dorset's first railway in 1805, which transported clay from nearby mines to Poole Harbour. This industrial connection shaped the area's development and later influenced its conversion to a nature reserve.

Local Red Devon cattle graze across the moor as part of active land management, helping to maintain the open heathland landscape. Visitors can observe this traditional farming method while walking through the reserve.

The reserve is accessible via marked walking trails that guide visitors through different areas of the moor. Wear sturdy footwear since parts of the terrain can be damp and boggy, especially during or after wet weather.

The moor features a Y-shaped drainage system where the northern branch creates acidic soil conditions while the southern branch produces alkaline environments. This geological quirk generates two distinct ecosystems side by side in a relatively small area.

Location: Dorset

GPS coordinates: 50.66600,-2.07100

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:03