The Valley of Stones NNR derives its name from the impressive ‘train’ of boulders tumbling down the slope and floor of the dry chalk valley. Main habitats: lowland grassland Features of interest The Valley of Stones is considered to have one of the finest examples of a Sarsen stone boulder train in Great Britain. Freeze/thaw conditions at end of the last ice age caused sandstone on top of nearby chalk hilltops to fragment and slump downhill. There is evidence that the site was used as an ancient ‘quarry’ with stones being taken from the area for use at other local megalithic sites. The stones are set within a wider landscape of dry valleys and slopes of upper chalk that include extensive areas of fine calcareous grassland that is rich in butterflies and wild flowers. Within the reserve, well preserved medieval field patterns can be seen on some of the steep sides of the dry valleys and slopes of upper chalk. The surrounding areas of calcareous grassland support many species of butterfly and wild flowers including clustered bellflower and autumn gentian. Colonies of the adonis blue butterfly can be found on the steep south facing grassland slopes. Directions The reserve is on Route 2 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. The nearest station is Upwey. Bus services run from Upwey along both the A35 (via Dorchester) and the B3157 (via Weymouth). See details on the Traveline SW website. Access to the reserve is by minor roads from the A35 and B3157. The nearest car park is located 0.5 miles from the site, near the National Trust’s Hardy Monument. The Valley of Stones is near to the Jubilee Trail, the Macmillan Way and close to the South West Coastal Path. Contact For more information about the reserve contact Natural England Enquiries, telephone 0300 060 3900, email enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk