27/05/2026
Highly recommended if you want to escape the hustle and hustle for a while ๐
Beat the heat under the canopy at Thorncombe Wood. ๐ณ๐ก๏ธ
When the Dorset sun gets a bit too intense, there's no better place to escape than beneath the cooling shade of these ancient trees. Walking through Thorncombe Wood right now feels like stepping into nature's own air conditioner! ๐โจ
This magical woodland - famous for inspiring Thomas Hardy - is packed with dappled sunlight, winding paths, and a peaceful breeze rustling through the leaves. It's the perfect, refreshing alternative to a crowded beach on a scorching day.
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ฟ๏ธ ๐ Where to park
The main Thorncombe Wood Car Park is right at the entrance to the woods (postcode: DT2 8QH) Dorset Council
It uses an automated ANPR (number plate recognition) system - you just pay at the terminal before you leave so you don't have to rush your walk.
Cost: Rates start at ยฃ1.60 for up to an hour, up to ยฃ15 for 12 hours (max stay). (Note: It is a council-run car park, so standard National Trust parking passes don't apply).
๐ฆ Where to eat
Right beside the car park at the Hardyโs Birthplace Visitor Centre, youโll find the independent Under the Greenwood Tree Cafรฉ.
๐ฐ They serve locally sourced lunches, homemade sausage rolls, cakes, and a grand selection of ice creams and ice-cold drinks to cool you down after your hike.
๐ It's dog-friendly, even offering special "dog breakfasts" for four-legged walkers ๐พ.
๐พ There's a self-service Dog Wash by the cafe too.
Who else is skipping the sand and heading into the woods to keep cool? Let us know your favourite shaded Dorset walks below! ๐