East Dorset: Tricketts cross surgery Route 1

Buses from Ringwood/Ferndown (No 38) pass through the Heatherlands Estate hourly. No X6 operates hourly from Poole/Bournemouth.

Parking is available on Bolton Crescent alongside Hope Church.

[1] Leaving the Health Centre turn left on Corbin Avenue. Take first left down Lockyers Drive passing Turbary Road on right. Cross road  to enter Dugdell Close on right.

[2] About half way down the slope take road on left and follow as it bears right to end of cul de sac. Cross grassy verge and follow road to end at Playground.  

[3] By road.  The heath can be avoided by turning left just before the playground up concrete path. After two shallow steps turn left onto tarmac path and right into Petwyn Close.  Follow to end of Close and turn left up Barnes Road. Continue with point [4] below.

Or [3] via heath.  Go to right of playground and through wicket gate onto heath.  There may be animals grazing on the heath. If so, be careful not to walk between cows and their calves. Take a wide berth. At first path junction turn sharp left onto a track and follow (ignoring side tracks), pass a wide grassy path on left and then bear left to wicket gate to Heatherlands. Go ahead to main road and bear left to pass Petwyn Close. 

[4] Continue up Barnes Road to take next left into Lockyers Drive to rejoin outward route at Dugdell Close. 

Continue ahead on Lockyers Drive to reach Corbin Avenue on  right. Turn right to start of walk at the Health Centre.

A   Parley Common is a beautiful and varied heathland site. The Common is home to a wide variety of species, including all 6 native reptiles and birds like the Dartford Warbler and stonechat, Butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies also abound. It was the first place in Britain where the Smooth Snake was found and several other rare species were first discovered  here.

The site is managed by ARC (Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Trust – formerly HCT), East Dorset District Council’s Countryside Service and Dorset Countryside (Dorset County Council’s countryside service).

Arson and illegal vehicle use have damaged the site in the past. The site is carefully managed for the special wildlife and for the many local people who enjoy walking on the site, with grazing animals helping to conserve the heath.

B   The Community Centre was founded in 2001 and changed its name to Heatherlands in 2009 when the mural at the back of the building was commissioned. The mural is said to depict the responsibilty of youngsters in safeguarding the heath against arson attacks. The Centre is managed by John Hanrahan who is also manager of the Jitsu Club which is housed there.

After rain the heath may be wet underfoot with the occasional pool of water. It can be avoided by adopting the Alternative Route. Although there are two shallow steps on the alternative route it should be able to accommodate wheeled chairs.

Using the Alternative Route the walk becomes Easy Access (as opposed to Easy).