Download our reserve leaflet here

Near Salisbury
OS map OL22 Grid ref: SU258184

  • Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs
  • Dogs on leads are welcome
  • 6.65 hectares

Landford bog reserve map © WWT

Set within the New Forest National Park the bog is a floating carpet of feathery moss with expanses of heather and purple moor-grass. Look for sundews – small carnivorous plants that use sticky red tentacles to trap small insects. Its spoon-shaped leaves curl up around prey so it can be digested. Also carnivorous, the pale butterwort has tiny pink flowers and uses a rosette of leaves at the base of its stem to trap insects. In summer see the yellow bog asphodel and the frilly bogbean. Look for the yellow-striped raft spider; one of the UK’s largest, at the edge of puddles. It uses sensory hairs on its front legs to detect ripples made by insects. Once alerted, it skates across the surface and overcomes its prey. On a hot day you can see the metallic green tiger beetle, dragonflies and damselflies in flight. Listen for grasshoppers and crickets around your feet. Along the eastern side of the reserve is wet woodland of broadleaved willow.

Landford is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. We are grazing the reserve with cattle to keep scrub down and stop trees encroaching. Volunteers help with scrub clearance, coppicing, fencing and other tasks.

Sundew © Ole Husby Butterwort © Bob in Swamp Raft spider © Leszek Leszczynski Tiger beetle © Michael Hodge

Directions

If driving - From Salisbury take A36 towards Southampton. After10 miles turn to Landford on the B3079. Go through Landford village, heading towards Bramshaw. After about 1.25 miles the entrance to reserve is at second lay-by on left, next to kissing gates. Here you can park.

If using bus – The X7 Salisbury-Southampton service stops in the village of Landford. Visit www.salisburyreds.co.uk

If cycling –There are no specified cycle routes in the area. Visit www.sustrans.org.uk

Other reserves nearby – Blackmoor Copse, Coombe Bissett Down

What to see locally - Langley Wood National Nature Reserve (2 miles), Paultons Family Theme Park (3 miles), Ower Country Park (4 miles), Romsey Abbey Heritage and Visitor Centre (6 miles)

Landford Bog location map © WWT

(Photo: Frosty autumn sedge tussocks © Steve Day)