Allington Hill & Cooper's Wood - Bridport

Site Description

Rising above Allington, on the western edge of Bridport, Allington Hill is prominent in the landscape, being visible from all directions. Prior to Woodland Trust ownership, the hill was predominantly managed as grass, both by grazing (on the main hill) and by cutting (Cooper's Wood next to Hospital Lane), although there are older areas of woodland - an area on the southern boundary was planted in the 1880s as a shelter belt, some of the northern slopes had developed into scrub woodland, and there are some fine mature broadleaves along the line of the public footpath across the eastern end of the hill. Further planting using native broadleaved species along the lower slopes of the main hill was carried out by the Trust between 1987 and 1993; and planting of Cooper's Wood by Hospital Lane in 2004.

The top of the hill has been left unplanted, and has a number of small pits, particularly at the eastern end, thought to be where stone was quarried. It is believed that these quarries are of longstanding - apparently records of the old Leper Hospital in Allington show that in 1265 Sir William de Legh granted them 'a sufficiency of stone from his quarry upon the hill of Alingtone (sic)'. Other old features of note on the hill include a dividing boundary bank running north south across the middle of the top of the hill, and some evidence of strip lynchets in the surrounding area - with the prominent bank that runs round much of the bottom of the hill thought to be an exaggerated form of this.

The wood lies within the Dorset AONB and Heritage Coast areas. A draft strategy for the Dorset AONB had been published at the time of this management plan review, and Allington Hill will help to contribute towards its aims particularly on community engagement and public access. The wood also sits within the Marshwood and Powerstock Vales Joint Character Area, and Allington Hill forms one of a series of characteristic hills along the coast formed from the Greensand ridge. The surrounding land is predominantly pastured, although some fields to the north east have been ploughed in 2007. Housing and other development are gradually encroaching from the east, north and south.

The combined population of Bridport and Allington & surrounding areas is approximately 12000. Allington Hill is close into housing, with a number of public footpaths leading onto the hill from surrounding roads. Consequently use of the hill by walkers is high. Although some of the slopes are steep, those making it to the top are rewarded by stunning 360 degree views over the surrounding countryside.