A rich, well-managed reserve with a proper waymarked circuit — genuinely one of the better organised walks in this list — but it's prime ground-nesting bird and reptile habitat, so short leads are the rule March to July, adders included. Ground-nesting Dartford warblers and nightjars mean dogs need to stay on the main tracks (or on a lead) through the spring and summer nesting season.
Part of Dorset Wildlife Trust's Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath reserve, an internationally important 181-hectare mix of dry heath, boggy valley mire and the meandering Tadnoll Brook, designated Ramsar, SSSI, SPA and SAC. Dry heath here supports Dorset heath and marsh gentian, while the wet meadows hold marsh cinquefoil and meadow thistle; a circular marked trail runs from the reserve entrance, with the linear David Limb Trail linking through to Winfrith Heath.