A remarkable wilderness
Colin Varndell celebrates Godlingston and Studland Heaths, an internationally important nature reserve
Published in July ’21
The Agglestone (also known as the ‘Devil’s Anvil’) is a large, iron-rich sandstone rock, perched on the highest point of Godlingston Heath. It is estimated to weigh 400 tonnes and is part of a band of rock crossing the heath.
GODLINGSTON and Studland heaths together comprise the largest area of unspoiled lowland heath remaining in Dorset. These two areas are divided only by the road from Studland to the Sandbanks ferry. It is an expanse of wilderness where the habitats include wet and dry heath, peat bog, sand dune, alder and willow carr woodland, acidic ponds and freshwater lagoons. It supports both nationally and internationally rare plants and animals and is managed by the National Trust as…
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