Lyscombe, an 833-acre landscape of chalk grassland, farmland and ancient woodland near Dorchester, has been named a National Nature Reserve and will join the King’s Series. The 2024 purchase by Dorset Wildlife Trust and Natural England includes 50 hectares of SSSI chalk downland and supports rare orchids and butterflies. Funded in part by a £30m nutrient mitigation scheme, the reserve both advances nature recovery and enables about 3,700 new homes through nutrient credits. Conservation measures include grazing with longhorn cattle and konik ponies and practices that have reduced pollution into the River Piddle.
Lyscombe Declared a National Nature Reserve — 833 Acres Secured to Boost Wildlife and Unlock 3,700 Homes
Longhorn cattle help maintain the chalk grasslands at Lyscombe [Ben Atkinson]
A landscape of chalk downland, farmland and ancient woodland at Lyscombe, north-east of Dorchester, has been designated a National Nature Reserve (NNR) after being bought by Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) and Natural England in 2024.
The 833-acre (335-hectare) site will join the King’s Series of NNRs as the 16th site since the scheme was announced in 2023. The holding includes around 50 hectares of chalk downland protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and supports rare orchids, thriving butterfly populations and important archaeological features.
The landscape is home to historical features as well as nature [James Burland]
Funding, Housing and Nutrient Mitigation
The purchase was enabled by Natural England’s nutrient mitigation scheme, backed by £30m of government funding, national nature reserves funding and donations from Dorset Wildlife Trust supporters. Natural England intends to recover taxpayer funds by selling nutrient credits to developers, a move that the government says will enable the construction of approximately 3,700 new homes while offsetting environmental impacts.
Conservation Management and Benefits
Conservation work at Lyscombe aims to restore and protect chalk grassland and other habitats. Management measures include the reintroduction of grazing animals such as longhorn cattle and konik ponies to control scrub and maintain species-rich grassland. Less intensive farming practices on the site have already contributed to reduced pollution entering the River Piddle and helped improve downstream water quality.
Butterflies such as the Brimstone thrive at Lyscombe [James Burland]
Nature Minister Jenny Riddell-Carpenter described Lyscombe as "a truly special landscape, steeped in history with its archaeological wonders and now brimming with flourishing wildlife and wildflowers."
DWT chief executive Brian Bleese called the acquisition "one of the most significant opportunities for nature recovery ever secured in Dorset," highlighting the site's potential for a landscape where nature, people and farming coexist.
Community and Access
Plans for the reserve include volunteer and visitor facilities to help the public enjoy and support the site. Ongoing habitat restoration aims to strengthen local biodiversity while contributing to regional nature recovery goals.
Key species and features: rare orchids, Brimstone and other butterflies, 50ha of SSSI chalk downland, ancient woodland and archaeological sites.
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