Penningtons Copse and Alder Bed are coppiced areas of woodland in West Moors.
Penningtons Copse has existed as a wooded area possibly as far back as 1339, and was a part of West Moors Farm from the early seventeenth century until recent times.
The Alder Bed area is not listed as ancient woodland, but was probably managed as a water meadow in the past. It is thought that the alder bed was planted, or regenerated naturally, in the late eighteenth century in order to be managed as coppice woodland.
| Nearest Town | West Moors |
|---|---|
| Look out for | The woodland supports dozens of bird species, a vibrant flush of wild flowers (particularly bluebells in spring), deer and badger populations. |
| Habitats | Coppiced woodland with hazel, birch and ash flourishing under the mature oaks and dense stands of alder in the wetter areas. |
| Site designations | |
| Nearest bus stop | Station Road, Wilts and Dorset bus route |
| Nearest train station | Poole (11 miles) |
| Grid reference | SU 076 025 |
| Size | 12.1 hectares |
| Parking | No parking at site |
| Accessibility | Unsurfaced narrow paths |
| Facilities | Dog bins at entrances to site |
| Owner | Dorset Council (Previously East Dorset District Council) |
| Managed by | Dorset Council Countryside Team |
| How to get there: |
From West Moors village centre, follow Station Road north, turn left onto Farm Road (by the doctor's surgery) and follow the road round to Birch Grove on the left. Penningtons Copse main entrance is off the mown patch of amenity grass. From Three-Legged Cross direction, follow signs to West Moors, along West Moors Road (B3072) and Station Road. Turn right onto Farm Road (by the doctor's surgery), follow the road round to Birch Grove on your left, and Penningtons Copse main entrance is across the grassed area. |