[1] Stonehill Down covers an area of 20 hectares[2] and lies high on the chalk ridge running west/east across the Isle of Purbeck with far-reaching views across the Wareham Forest, with Poole Harbour to the east.

The broadleaf, coppiced woodland lies on the northern slopes of the Purbeck Ridge, which is steep in places, where primroses and ramsons thrive and toothwort grows around the base of hazel trees in spring.

[2] The ridge itself is primarily chalk downland, comprising rough pasture with some scrub.

Here, there are numerous downland flowers including Horseshoe vetch and Carline thistle.

[1][2] Butterflies of note include the Lulworth skipper and Adonis blue.