Rodwell Trail facts for kids
The Rodwell Trail is a fun path for walking, cycling, and dog walking in Dorset, England. It stretches for about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) from Wyke Regis to the center of Weymouth. This trail opened in the year 2000. It follows the old tracks of the Weymouth and Portland Railway. The Rodwell Trail is also part of the longer South West Coast Path.
The path goes through a beautiful area called the Jurassic Coast. This coast is famous for its fossils and amazing rock formations. The trail also passes through special areas known as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These places are protected because they have important wildlife or geology. The trail gets its name from a part of Weymouth it goes through.
Thousands of people use the Rodwell Trail every year. It's a great way to get around Weymouth without dealing with car traffic. A group called the Friends of Rodwell Trail helps keep the path clean and tidy. They pick up litter and clear away plants that grow too much. Local newspapers, like the Dorset Echo, have shared stories about their good work.
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Exploring the Rodwell Trail
The Rodwell Trail begins in Westham, Weymouth, on Abbotsbury Road. It finishes at Ferrybridge in Wyke Regis. The end part of the trail runs along the north side of Portland Harbour. Here, you can see the old Tudor Sandsfoot Castle.
The trail follows the path of the old Weymouth and Portland Railway. This railway was built in 1865. It was used to carry people and Portland Stone between Weymouth and Portland. Later, in 1891, the railway was made longer to reach Whitehead's Torpedo Factory. This factory was close to where the trail ends today.
In 1870, the first train station along the route, Rodwell, opened. It was improved in 1908 with a new platform and signal box. More stops were added in 1909 at Westham and Wyke Regis. Another stop, Sandsfoot Castle Halt, was added in 1932. The railway stopped running on April 9, 1965.
As you walk the trail, you can still see parts of the old station platforms. You can also see other reminders of the railway, like tunnels. The signs for each station stop are new, but they show where the original stops used to be.
In the Westham area, there's an old World War II gun platform. It was built into the railway bank to help defend the area. This platform has been fixed up recently. Now, it's a great spot to look out over Weymouth. It also reminds us of how Weymouth was protected during the war. This was important because of the naval base at Portland. The stone platform would have held a 40 mm Bofors Gun. You can still see the round mounting ring where the gun would have been. There are also dividing walls that were used for storing ammunition and equipment. Rooms below the platform can be reached by steps.
In 2012, the trail was extended. This happened after a big investment of £900,000. Part of this money came from the Sustrans "Connect2" project. This extension reconnected a missing part of the old railway line. It helped people get to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy during the 2012 Summer Olympics.
The Rodwell Trail was even shown on a BBC TV show called Railway Walks. This program was first shown in October 2008 on BBC Four. It was repeated on BBC Two in April 2009. The show also featured Portland's Merchant's Railway.
Wildlife on the Rodwell Trail
The Rodwell Trail is a wonderful place for many different kinds of animals and plants. It acts like a "green lung," connecting Ferry Bridge to the RSPB Radipole Lake wildlife reserve.
Birds and Insects
You can often see many types of birds along the trail. These include colorful Kingfishers, Redwings, and Great Crested Grebes. In the hedges near Abbotsbury Road, you might spot Hedge Sparrows and Blackbirds.
The trail is also home to many insects. You might see Garden Spiders and Great Green Bush Crickets. During summer, the Buxton Road Bridge area is great for butterflies. Look for Red Admirals, Commas, and Holly Blues. Between Sandsfoot and Wyke Halts, you might find Common Blue butterflies and even Wasp Spiders among the reeds.
Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians
The trail is a home for various mammals. These include foxes and badgers. You might also spot Mice in some areas.
Reptiles and amphibians also live here. You could see lizards and frogs. Common frogs are often found near the Wyke Tunnel.
Plants and Flora
Many beautiful plants grow along the trail. These include Foxgloves, Bluebells, and Meadow Buttercups. Near the Wyke Tunnel, where it's damp, you can find Pendulous Sedge and Heart's Tongue ferns. Rare plants like Bithyinian Vetch and Little Robin also grow here.
Overwintering Birds at Sandsfoot Gardens
The Sandsfoot Gardens area offers a great view over Portland Harbour. This spot is popular for seeing birds that spend the winter here. You might see Great Northern Divers, Slavonian Grebes, and Mergansers.
