Puddletown Forest is a large area of woodland near Dorchester and has miles of footpaths and mountain bike trails.

There are a number of easy walking trails and some more challenging climbs to Green Hill and Beacon Hill. If you are on a mountain bike you can enjoy miles of bridleways, short natural singletracks, downhill sections and some jumps.

The forest is located just to the west of the village of Puddletown and the River Piddle. It is a nice walk to do if you are visiting Thomas Hardy’s cottage which is located on the western fringe of the forest.