Barrie Wilkinson

Dave Vandome

Belinda Moncaster

Dole Wood

Dole Wood is a fragment of the formerly extensive primary woodland cover of South Kesteven.

Location

Obthorpe Lane
Thurlby

Bourne

Nearest postcode PE10 0ES

OS Map Reference

TF 094 161

Know before you go

Size

8 hectares

Parking information

Roadside parking along Obthorpe Lane

Walking trails

The track to the reserve lies to the west of Obthorpe Lane, about 500m from the village; it is a further 500m walk down the track to the entrance; visitors are requested to keep to the perimeter pathway

Access

Access via rough grass path and squeeze gate, uneven woodland terrain with visible tree roots, may not be suitable for wheelchair users

Dogs

No dogs permitted

Assistance dogs only

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to July

About the reserve

The wood consists mainly of oak standards with hazel coppice. There are also ash, field maple, wych elm and wild service tree. Both common and midland hawthorns can be seen in the understorey. Bluebell, wood anemone and stitchwort are the most abundant species in the ground flora. Wood-sorrel, false brome, enchanter's-nightshade, bugle, yellow archangel and sweet woodruff can also be seen.

Birds include great spotted woodpecker, treecreeper, whitethroat, blackcap and willow warbler. Over 120 species of moth have been identified within the reserve. Management consists of bramble control, re-establishment of a coppice rotation and maintenance of some permanent glades.

An extension to Dole Wood in 2005 was bought covering around 13 acres of woodland, grassland and disused railway. Like the existing nature reserve, which is leased from a local landowner, the new four acre woodland extension is ancient deciduous woodland of old coppice-with-standards and includes some fine specimens of small-leaved lime. The grassland and disused railway are good for nesting birds and many wildflowers.

Nearest postcode PE10 0ES. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.