Discover Broadstone: Heathland, Nature Trails and Local History

Broadstone is a destination for travellers who want to combine heathland, trails, local history and practical places to visit when planning a trip. Its connection with nature is particularly distinctive: Broadstone Heath preserves remnants of the extensive heathlands that once covered most of the Poole Basin. There are also publicly accessible natural areas, a recreation ground on Charborough Road and bus connections towards Poole and Wimborne. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Broadstone, you can therefore first decide whether landscape, history or a mixture of both should be the main focus of your trip.

Heathland, Woods and Open Countryside

The Corfe Barrows Nature Park encompasses publicly accessible areas around Corfe Mullen and Broadstone, including woods, heathland, meadows and pasture. These areas are connected by footpaths and waymarked walking trails. This gives the park a variety of landscape experiences, without requiring you to limit your travel plans to just one attraction. Those who want to make nature experiences the focus can choose between woodland, heathland, meadows and pasture as different points of interest. For families with children, the play area in Broadstone Recreation Ground is also a specific place to include in your daily plans.

Another nature experience is offered by Happy Bottom Nature Reserve. It can be explored via a path and a boardwalk from Merley Park Road to the former railway line. There are public rights of way and waymarked walking trails there. The description of this route helps you plan different kinds of time outdoors: Corfe Barrows Nature Park focuses on several landscape areas and trails, while Happy Bottom follows a named access route and a boardwalk to the former railway line.

Local History and Places of Interest

Broadstone also has historical points of interest. The village grew significantly after the railway was developed in the late 19th century. Broadstone's first railway station was built in 1872 as part of the Southampton and Dorchester Railway. It was initially called New Poole Junction and, after several name changes, was renamed Broadstone in 1890. This railway history explains an important stage in the development of the village, but should not be taken as an indication of current railway operations.

The Ridgeway and Broadstone Park Conservation Area includes a post-medieval clay pit in Broadstone as a designated monument. Broadstone's parish church is also associated with a specific date and a particular dedication: it is dedicated to Saint John, was built in 1888 and consecrated by Bishop Wordsworth on 24 June 1888, the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. Broadstone Golf Club adds to this historical picture. It is a private members' club, originally founded by Lord Wimborne in 1898. This means that your travel plans can include both landscape and local-history themes.

Recreation and Getting to Broadstone

Broadstone Recreation Ground on Charborough Road has a play area, cricket facilities, a pavilion and car parking. The grounds can also be hired for outdoor events. This makes it a separate point of interest for travel plans that are not focused exclusively on nature trails or historic buildings. Bus connections towards Poole and Wimborne are another practical factor when choosing your accommodation. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Broadstone, you can use your preferred mix of nature, local history, recreation and transport as the starting point for your decision.

Other Places for Orientation

If you want to compare Broadstone with other places or expand your travel ideas afterwards, you can also look at Worth Matravers, Swanage, Ashmore, Boscombe, Canford Magna, Frome St Quintin, Hamworthy and Marnhull.

For the broader travel overview: Dorset.