Heath Week 2026
25 July to 2 August
A week of events celebrating our amazing and precious heathlands.
2026 is our 6th year of teaming up with partners and colleagues to bring you a series of fun activities, to engage and educate about our heathland and its wildlife.
Heath Week 2026!
Day(s)
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Hour(s)
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Saturday 25th July
Wildlife Walk – Canford heath
Location: Canford Heath
Time: 10am – 12pm
Join Poole’s Heathland for a relaxed walk spotting Canford Heath’s unique wildlife and discover what’s living right on our doorstep.
You’ll take a gentle walk through the heath, spotting birds, insects and plants, and share facts and stories with you about what makes this area so special.
All ages welcome, just wear comfortable sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Meet at the entrance gate at the very end of Francis Avenue (BH11 8NX) – W3W: ///sunset.succeed.stirs
Book your slot on the walk via Eventbrite here.
Sunday 26th July
Warmwell Village Fete
Location: Warmwell House (Warmwell, Dorset, DT2 8HQ)
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Head down to the Warmwell Village Fete for a day of family fun, raising money for local charities.
The Dorset Heaths Partnership will be there so come and have a chat with us, and even have a go at our much loved Heathland Hero bean bag game!
Monday 27th July
Wildlife Walk – Canford heath
Location: Canford Heath Nature Reserve (Steeple Close, Poole)
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Join Poole’s Heathland for a relaxed walk spotting Canford Heath’s unique wildlife and discover what’s living right on our doorstep.
You’ll take a gentle walk through the heath, spotting birds, insects and plants, and share facts and stories with you about what makes this area so special.
All ages welcome, just wear comfortable sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Meet at the entrance gate on Steeple Close (W3W ///wizard.loving.worker)
Book your slot on the walk via Eventbrite here.
Tuesday 28th July
reptile Walk with ARC
Location: Great Ovens, Wareham Forest (Morden road, BH20 4ER)
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Learn about the secret and fascinating world of the reptiles that live amongst our beautiful heathlands here in Dorset.
Led by ARC (Amphibian and Reptile Conservation), you will meet at Woodlark car park (Morden road, BH20 4ER – W3W ///lentil.fancy.spurring) and will last around 2 hours. Boots are recommended, as the terrain can be tricky in some places!
Book you slot on the walk here. Hurry, only ten spots available!
Nature and Nibbles guided heath walk
Location: Hengistbury Head (Hengistbury Head Centre, Broadway, Bournemouth BH6 4EN)
Time: 10am – 12pm
Join rangers at Hengistbury Head for a nature walk across Hengistbury’s heathland starting at the visitor centre at 10:00.
Finishing with some tea and biscuits to celebrate out heathland.
Book your free slot on the walk via the Hengistbury Head website here.
Reptile Survey and Heathland Species Guided walk
Location: RSPB Arne (Arne Rd, Wareham BH20 5BJ)
Time: 8:30am – 10:30am
Join the expert guides at RSPB Arne for a rare chance to step behind the scenes at this beautiful reserve on a walk that combines a live reptile survey with an exploration of their special heathland wildlife.
This exclusive experience takes you into an area of the reserve not normally open to the public, and offers an exclusive opportunity to deepen your understanding of one of the UK’s rarest habitats, meet its most charismatic residents, and see conservation in action.
Find out more and book your slot on the walk via the RSPB Arne website here.
Wednesday 29th July
Summer Wildlife Discovery Day
Location: Upton Country Park (Upton Country Park, Poole Rd, Upton, Poole BH17 7BJ)
Time: 10am – 4pm
Celebrate Heath Week by joining our team at Upton Country Park for a fun wildlife discovery day!
Get involved in bird watches, guided walks, bug hunts in the meadows, or have a go at lots of other identification & wildlife activities with a range of organisations in the Walled Garden.
We will be there with crafts, fun activities and bug hunting for a wildlife extravaganza!
There’s something for every nature lover, and it’s all FREE!!
Find out more about Upton Country Park on their website here.
Wildlife Walk at Kingcombe meadows
Location: Kingcombe Nature Reserve (Kingcombe Visitor Centre, Lower Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, Dorchester, DT2 0EQ)
Time: 10:30am – 12pm
Discover the beautiful, rich habitats of Kingcombe Nature Reserve and the stunning wildlife it holds with Dorset Wildlife Trust!
These relaxed, informative walks are ideal for anyone with an interest in nature, whether you’re a beginner or a regular wildlife enthusiast. You’ll gain insight into conservation at Kingcombe Meadows while enjoying time outdoors in a beautiful setting.
Find out more and book your place on the walk on the Dorset Wildlife Trust website here.
Thursday 30th July
Marvellous Moth Morning
Location: Hengistbury Head (Hengistbury Head Centre, Broadway, Bournemouth BH6 4EN)
Time: 10am – 12pm
Celebrate heath week by joining the rangers at the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre for a fun and educational event where you can get up close and personal with some fascinating moths! Learn all about these mysterious insects, their lifecycles, and why they are so important to our ecosystems.
You’ll have the chance to see a variety of species up close and even participate in some hands-on action. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to discover the beauty of moths!
Find out more and book your free slot via the Hengistbury Head website here.
Friday 31st July
Heathland Crafts
Location: Hengistbury Head (Hengistbury Head Centre, Broadway, Bournemouth BH6 4EN)
Time: 10am – 12pm
Celebrate Heath Week by getting creative with some heathland-themed crafts at Hengistbury Head!
This is a great opportunity for you and the family to unleash your artistic side, whilst learning about Dorset.s incredible heathland habitats and wildlife.
The free event will run in the visitor centre courtyard, at the front of the visitor centre. Drop in at any time!
Find out more about Hengistbury Head on their website here.
HEATH WEEK ACROSS THE SOUTH
