Our verdict
A proper wildlife reserve within a town's edge, and dog-friendly with a traffic-light system for cattle fields — read the gate signs, since 'no dogs' fields are strictly enforced when livestock or ground-nesting birds are present.
A patchwork of unimproved meadows, hedgerows and copses on the edge of Weymouth, managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust since 1998 with a network of nature trails including the start of the Legacy Trail to Portland Bill. Marbled white and holly blue butterflies and orchid-rich meadows in summer; grazing cattle year-round.
Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve — free to explore on foot; some are dog-free or on-lead to protect wildlife.