A Kinson website devoted to old Kinson and modern Kinson
Kinson Review of 2012
Enjoying local history through Communigate
Isaac Gulliver
Old Maps of Kinson and the surrounding district
Unusual sunsets in Kinson
Kinson Astronomy Photo diary
Kinson Wild Flowers Botany & Blooms picture diary
Kinson Common Wild Orchids
Mr. Archibald Hedge Hog`s column
Looking around the historic Kinson Church
About this website
Kinson Common, Local Nature Reserve, SSSI, SACs site
Kinson Smugglers
Kinson & Kinson Common, 1066 to modern times
Kinson Local Astronomy monthly
Poems about Kinson
History of Kinson in Dorset
Natural history files for Kinson, Longham, Millhams, Turbary
A Naturalist`s Millennium & Kinson Nature Diaries
Kinson Heritage buildings
Kinson Common Virtual Tour
Local Views
Glimpses of Old Kinson
Kinson Monthly Nature Diary
Butterflies
Moonfleet mono photo gallery
Moonfleet colour photo gallery
Moonfleet cartoon photo gallery
Nature Gallery
Kinson Seasons
Insects and Spiders
All named areas of Kinson Common
Kinson Walks 2013
Cuckoo Woods
Kinson News 2013
Moonfleet Kinson Wild Birds Photo Gallery
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A "virtual tour" of the Kinson Common Nature Reserve
 | Welcome to our latest virtual tour which depicts Summer on the Kinson Common Nature Reserve.
There are a number of Borough of Bournemouth infomation boards on the reserve. These identify areas of interest and highlight some of the Common`s history, flora and fauna, fully reinforcing the Borough`s commitment to being Britain`s Coastal Garden. |
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The lower Kinson Road entrance
 | | Close by the entry gates stands one of the oldest and most ancient oak trees in Kinson. Even on the northern perimeter of the Common, one is often close to nature. It can be butterflies, bats and foxes, or an interesting migrant bird or simply just a humble sparrow which is considered to be a conservation species these days! |
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Follow the trackway
 | This man-made track leads down directly to the Nature Reserve and to Pepin`s Pond. The Fryer Close properties dating to the mid 1980`s are on your right and on your left are those relating to Glenmeadows Drive which came into being during the late 1970`s.
Much of the land in this area was originally farmland known as Barn Close and Redgate Hill, and some of it was later used for private allotments and even horse grazing before being sold for housing purposes. |
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The pond railings come into view
 | | There is always much to see at Pepin`s Pond during all seasons of the year. On our virtual tour we enter a natural trackway which is shown on the left of our photograph. Part of the trackway is tree-lined and good views of the pond can be obtained from this vantage point. During the summer it is possible to see mallards and the occasional blue flash of a kingfisher as it streaks away towards the upper valley on the Common. Shoals of three-spined sticklebacks can sometimes be observed in the stream region around the pond. |
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Proceed along this natural trackway
 | This natural trackway leads directly to the Kinson Waterfall. On your left will be Glenmeadows, named after the housing development.
Glenmeadows contains 14 species of trees and shrubs; 32 species of wildflower; 2 types of dock; 10 grass species, common rush and fern.
This whole area is well shaded by an assortment of trees including willows. In some years conservation work is undertaken and the region quickly regenerates. The area immediately above Pepin`s Pond and to your immediate right is aptly named Dragonfly Hollow. |
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Dragonfly Hollow
 | As you walk along the trackway, the area on your immediate right, now fenced, affords excellent views across into Dragonfly Hollow. The basin of the "Hollow" is always wet and is the only area of marsh on the Common. During times of natural flooding , usually in the autumn and the winter periods, stream water backs up into Dragonfly Hollow and disperses slowly and naturally via a system in place at Pepin`s Pond, thus preventing flooding of roads and properties in the lower regions of central Kinson.
Dragonfly Hollow contains 4 tree species, some tending to invade the valley bottom; 29 wild flower species including orchids; 5 grass species; at least 3 moss species; 7 varieties of rushes and sedges; bracken, horsetails and liverworts.
It really is a botanical wonderland and heath and southern marsh orchids flower to perfection here each June and this is the ideal location to see butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies. If you are not afraid of creepy crawlies, one might be lucky to glimpse the large and impressive raft spider. Occasionally, common lizards and slow-worms can be observed in this part of the Common. |
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Approaching Gover`s Glade
 | | The trackway narrows here slightly. Ahead will be seen a wooden seat, part of which was constructed from a storm-damaged tree, stored and put to very good use at a later date. Willow trees offer more shade here and campions and stitchworts and numerous other wild flowers add a welcomed dash of colour throughout the Summer season. |
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At Gover`s Glade seat
 | One can pause here for a while, many people due during the course of a season. The Millennium Steps on your left, created in the Summer of 2000, lead to Glenmeadows Drive and to the Kinson Road area.
The old gnarled tree behind the seat is one of a number which still mark an ancient boundary line dating back to the 1760`s. |
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Looking into Gover`s Glade
 | From the wooden seat one can obtain good views of the Glade (named to honour the memory of the late Doreen Gover) and this fenced area provides much interest throughout the year. During June, scores of heath spotted orchids flower here and even when they have died back, botanical interest will be sustained in this very tiny corner of the Common until September and sometimes beyond this time.
Gover`s Glade contains 8 tree species; 23 wild flower species, including orchids; 8 grass species; 3 moss species; 9 species of rushes and sedges; bracken and horsetails.
Many species of butterflies visit this area. These range from the humble whites to the glorious purple hairstreaks who occasionally land on low ferns and then soak up the sunshine. Common lizards sometimes scurry through the undergrowth, foxes know the area well and even roe deer have peered at walkers who were blissfully unaware of their presence.
Good numbers and an assortment of wild birds are always present here. Blackcaps and chiffchaffs, dunnocks and wrens often reveal their presence. Buzzards do include this area as part of their hunting ground and the fast flying and impatient sparrowhawk often rushes through to claim some easy pickings. |
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Follow the lower natural trackway by Gover`s Glade
 | This leads to the Kinson Waterfall and stream.
No.1
A raised boardwalk is in place and is much appreciated by all users. Always take care when using this raised boardwalk during the Summer. Always expect the unexpected, for even the kingfisher and the grey wagtail do visit the waterfall area.
At the end of the boardwalk there is a gravelled area and there is a crossing point over the Kinson stream which leads directly past Blanchard`s Copse and into Poole Lane Meadows. This crossing point is worth remembering when you actually walk the site and visit this area.
No.2
In our virtual tour we remain on the same bankside, always keeping the stream on our right, and follow this footpath which eventually leads to the former Kinson Baths region of the Common. |
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Follow the natural trackway by the stream
 | | Please keep following the natural trackway upstream. You are now in the Central Sallows area. |
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Central Sallows
 | This area leads directly to the fallen oaks. Central Sallows contains 17 tree and shrub species; 28 wild flower species (sadly heath spotted orchids now gone); 8 grass species; 6 species of rushes and sedges; 4 liverwort and moss species; 4 fern species including royal fern; also docks including wood dock.
Back in the 1830`s, This area probably formed a part of Ridgak or Redgate Moor, also a part of another area once known as Furzy ground in the 1700`s. Although difficult to determine now, its original use was probably as meadowland.
The stream which enters the Kinson Common by the former Kinson Baths site has always flowed through this region. A side-stream which joins the main stream above the Kinson Waterfall, does not appear on very early maps and is a more modern addition to the Common. |
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The Fallen Oaks
 | | Both oaks survived a great storm many years ago. In Summer, walk carefully around the sloping area by the unsupported oaks and the trackway continues onwards to Great Oaks bridge. |
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Walk by Great Oaks bridge
 | Walk by the bridge and follow the natural trackway upstream.
Some of the ancient oaks are probably older than Bournemouth and the name is a lasting tribute to them.
During the 1760`s, the area known today as Great Oaks formed a large area of Redgate or Ridgak (arable). During the mid 1800`s the area was known then as Lower Captain Kings (arable) and was farmed by tenants who rented the land from the Canford Estate.
During the last century, the area was known for a time as Buttermead.
Great Oaks contains 14 tree and shrub species; 18 wild flower species; 3 grass species, ferns and rushes.
It only takes a short period of time to reach the former Kinson Baths area. |
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Trackway through Great Oaks to the former Kinson Baths site
 | | Our photograph shows the view you will see when reaching the exit point out onto Kinson Road. Walking up the road, it only takes a few steps before metal gates and the empty site of the former Kinson Baths will be seen. |
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Old Kinson Baths entrance to the Kinson Common Nature Reserve
 | | Enter via the metal gates and follow the Main track next to the course of the natural stream. The area in front of you supports a wealth of flora and fauna. On summer evenings, when the conditions are right, this is where excellent sightings of common and other bat species can sometimes be observed. |
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This track way leads to Poole Lane
 | | Kinson cemetery is on your left and Great Oaks is on your right. This is a pleasing area to walk through. Nuthatches and tree creepers can often been seen scampering around the oak trees in or close to the cemetery perimeter. Occasionally, the buzzard puts in an appearance in this region of the Common. There is a wealth of flora and fauna to be seen. |
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Keep following the Main trackway
 | Continuing along the Main track another footpath leading from the Great Oaks footbridge will be noted on the right. Keep walking straight ahead and this will take you through the heart of some of the oldest parts of the Kinson Common. Cattle fencing will be observed and to your immediate left, Two Barrow Heath, a dry heathland habitat of ancient origin.
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The Stone seat
 | This seat has stood here for many years now and is a very good place to rest awhile and to look into Central Bog.
Cattle, when present on site, graze this area which is still a good example of a wet heath and heather bog with pools, some man-made.
The former Long Moor still survives relatively intact as an ancient relic and reminder of centuries now gone, albeit with a new name given to it back in the 1980`s. In the 1760`s, it was a long rectangular shaped area, just over 6 acres in size which was mainly used for heath and pasture purposes.
During the mid 1800`s, the term "Long Moor" also took into account two additional areas defined as furzy ground. In recent times, certainly up to the 1970`s, it is easy to see why the name for the Kinson Common was then Trinacria, meaning three-legged.
Central Bog contains 5 tree species; over 19 wild flower species including 3 types of orchids; 12 species of rushes and sedges; at least 15 liverwort and moss species; also ferns and grasses.
Behind the seat is Two Barrow Heath. Just like Central Bog, this area is also a very ancient and important part of the Kinson Common. |
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Continue along the Main trackway
 | Along the route, cattle grazing regions will be observed.
Bog pools in this region support whole communities of annually breeding frogs, newts and toads, also some very impressive damselflies and dragonflies.
The dry heathland on your left contains two ancient Bronze Age barrows and is named Two Barrow Heath.
Two Barrow Heath contains 7 tree species; 22 species of wild flowers; 3 species of rushes and sedges; 11 grass species and 2 moss species, also bracken.
There is a wooden seat on the left hand side of the Main track. Walk past this seat and keep on the lower track you are on for this leads directly through the Poole Lane Sallows region. Ahead of you on the right hand side is a lengthy well-constructed board walk known as the Jubilee Walkway. |
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The Jubilee Walkway
 | It is an all-weather board walk which crosses a natural stream allowing access through Poole lane Sallows and Poole Lane Heights. The idea for this originated back in the late 1980`s and the scheme became a reality thanks to Awards for All and a valued input by Bournemouth Borough Council during the Queen`s Golden Jubilee.
The area on the left hand side of the boardwalk is known as Poole Lane Sallows. Back in the 1800`s, This area probably formed a part of Ridgak or Redgate Moor, also a part of another area once known as Furzy ground in the 1700`s. Although difficult to determine now, its original use was probably as meadowland.
Poole Lane Sallows contains 17 tree and shrub species; 38 species of wild flowers; 2 dock species; 4 species of fern; 4 liverwort & moss species; 6 species of rushes and sedges; 8 grass species.
In 2013, a small area of natural grasses with water-filled pools still survive with hints of boundaries adjoining the ancient Long Moor, now known as Central Bog. |
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The way ahead
 | Some of the land on the higher ground on the left hand side once formed a part of an old gravel pit which was probably filled in when its useful working life ended and natural regeneration then took place.
The wired boardwalk crosses a natural stream which enters the Kinson Common at Poole Lane and exits at the lower end of the valley via a culvert by Kinson Primary School, Kinson Road. The all-weather boardwalk ends by an old oak stump. |
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A slight uphill climb
 | | The way forward involves a gentle uphill climb and it only takes a few moments to reach Poole Lane Heights. Do take care when climbing if the pathway is wet during the Summer. |
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Poole Lane Heights
 | Ahead of you is stock fencing for cattle. Walk through the metal gate to enter the grassland. A cattle trough is located to the immediate left of the gate.
Throughout its long and interesting history, Poole Lane Heights has been used for heath, arable and probably pasture purposes.
Over a long period of time, the land has been referred to as Rak or Ridgak/Redgate and a recent interpretation of old documents perused now suggests that the name Peak (arable), must also be considered for the whole of the triangular shaped area forming one small part of Howe Farm.
This is an interesting grassland area. Poole Lane Heights contains 9 tree and shrub species; 23 species of wild flowers; 10 grass species; bracken and a number of moss and rush species.
Ahead of you are 3 gates. All these lead directly out onto Poole Lane Meadows. On our virtual tour we take the first gate on our left as we walk through Poole Lane Heights through which you can see an updated play-area development and Poole Lane Meadows. |
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Poole Lane Meadows
 | Known as Long Close well before 1800, and later as Scull Pit, this large open close has remained relatively intact since the 1800`s. Its primary use was for arable purposes and cereals have been grown here.
Horses, cattle and pigs were kept here in the recent past, before the land was acquired by the Borough of Bournemouth from the Canford Estate.
During the 1980`s, the close was renamed Poole Lane Meadows.
One half is kept as a short sward for recreation purposes and local children have play facilities housed within a circular fenced-off area where dogs are not permitted.
The lower, sloping half of the close, has been managed as a hay meadow for flora and fauna and is now stock fenced and grazed by cattle. A recently laid down hedgerow is gradually developing.
Poole Lane Meadows contains over 7 tree and shrub species; 25 species of wild flowers including orchids; 10 grass species; also ferns, mosses, rushes and sedges. |
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A distant view of Blanchard`s Copse
 | As you walk through Poole Lane Meadows, the tall stand of oaks on your far right is Blanchard`s Copse. This ancient area was known as Wood and Furze in 1769, or Scull Pit Wood in the 1839. It`s present acreage represents a 50% loss in woodland since the 1880`s.
Blanchard`s Copse contains 12 species of trees and shrubs; 20 species of wild flowers; 5 species of grasses; 3 sedge species; docks and ferns.
Stock fencing was erected around a part of this region. |
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Exit point from Poole Lane Meadows
 | This is easy to find and is located by the side of the former NHS area home. 3 wooden seats will be to the left of your exit point.
After walking a short distance the single track divides into two. Take the natural trackway to your right. This leads downwards through Pond Scrub and directly towards the Pepin`s Pond area.
Pond Scrub obtained its modern name in 1982, previously being known for several hundred years as Hill Close, a florishing arable area.
Part of the close survives now as grassland with scrub. |
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Pepin`s Pond
 | Now regenerating after dredging, there is always much to see here. Although a man made feature, mallards, moorhens, wagtails and kingfishers, and a whole host of other interesting wildlife including dragonflies and damselflies can often be seen here during the Summer.
Constructed as a holding pond at the extreme northern tip of the original and ancient Redgate Moor (mostly gone now).
The Kinson Common Stream enters the Pond in its south-west corner, flowing out northwards over an artificial dam. The Pond was named as a simple tribute to the late Cecil Pepin, a respected naturalist, who died in the 1980s, by the original Kinson Common Management Group.
The Pepin`s Pond region contains 3 tree species and over 19 wild flower species.
2013 marks the 36th anniversary of conservation and people working in partnership with the Borough of Bournemouth on the Kinson Common. |
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The pond railings
 | Once past the railings, take the trackway you originally came down and this will take you back to the Kinson Road .
This is the end of our virtual Summer tour of the Kinson Common Local Nature Reserve and we thank you for looking at this section.
If you belong to an organisation that has its own public liability insurance, we would be pleased to hear from you and to take you on a future guided tour of the site. |
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