The key characteristics of the Dorset Heaths are . . .

135. Dorset Heaths

The key characteristics of the Dorset Heaths are . . .

• An exposed, open, broad-scale landscape forming a strong contrast with the adjacent character areas.

• Undulating lowland heath with tracts of heather, stunted pines and gorse scrub.

• Blocks of conifers forming locally-prominent landmarks.

• Mosaics of heathland, farmland, woodland and scrub.

• Much is sparsely populated with scattered settlements and a few small villages and towns but the extensive conurbation of Poole-Bournemouth forms a major influence in the south and east.

• Flat-bottomed, open valleys with floodplain pastures and willows.

• An outer edge of low, rolling hills with an irregular patchwork of pasture, woodland and dense hedges marking the transition to the chalk.

For further details on this character area and for an introduction to the region, please see the PDF documents in the box at the top right hand side of this page.