Piddles Wood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Piddles Wood |
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A view towards Fiddleford and Piddles Wood
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| Type | Woodland |
| Location | Dorset, England |
| Nearest town | Sturminster Newton |
| Area | 62.2 hectares (154 acres) |
| Status | SSSI |
Piddles Wood is a beautiful, small forest located south of the River Stour, Dorset in England. It's a very special place, officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because of its unique nature. The closest town to Piddles Wood is Sturminster Newton.
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Discover Piddles Wood
Piddles Wood covers about 62.2 hectares, which is roughly the size of 150 football fields. Forests like this are quite rare in North Dorset. Piddles Wood is one of the few remaining woodlands in the area.
What's in a Name?
The name Piddles Wood has a long history! It was first written down in the 1200s. Back then, it was called Puttekwurth or Putteleswurthe.
The word "wurth" means an enclosed area. "Pyttel" might have been an old English family name. So, the name could mean "Pyttel's enclosure." Another idea is that "piddle" or "pyttel" comes from an old word for a kite, which is a type of bird. The wood is also sometimes called "Hanging Ground."
Why is Piddles Wood Special?
Piddles Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This important status was given to the wood in 1985. It means the area has special plants, animals, or geology that need protection.
The soil in Piddles Wood is a mix of heavy clay and lighter gravel. This mix creates different types of soil. Because of this, you can find a variety of trees and plants growing here.
Trees and Plants
The wood is mostly filled with oak trees. You'll also find a lot of hazel trees that are coppiced. Coppicing is a traditional way of cutting trees. It involves cutting them back to ground level. This helps new shoots grow, keeping the wood healthy.
Piddles Wood has many interesting plants on the ground. Some of these include woodruff, sanicle, and early purple orchid. You can also spot wood spurge and orpine here.
Amazing Insects
This forest is a fantastic home for many insects, especially butterflies! You might see the white admiral, which has beautiful black and white wings. The wood white and silver-washed fritillary also live here.
Sadly, one butterfly, the pearl-bordered fritillary, used to live in Piddles Wood. But it is now thought to be gone from Dorset. Protecting places like Piddles Wood helps these amazing creatures survive.
