Pub history

The Nightjar

This pub takes its name from one of the species of bird which inhabits the surrounding heathland. Nightjars spend the winter in Africa, arriving here in May and leaving again in October. Their attractive name is derived from their nocturnal ‘churring’ or ‘jarring’ call. Ferndown is situated in what is called the Poole Basin Heathlands, a wildlife habitat for many rare plants and animals and home to all six native British reptiles, including most of the country’s smooth snakes and sand lizards.