Circle the steep horseshoe bowl of Lyscombe Bottom. Explore the surrounding ancient landscape, filled with ancient earthworks, Iron Age hillforts and medieval trackways to find the remains of a lost, little village. Clamber the ruins in the valley, follow the river upstream and scale the slopes to the views, all in the central heart of Dorset.
Distance: 3.5 miles/5.7km
Duration: 2 hours
Ability: Medium, couple of steep climbs.
Terrain: Path, track and field.
Total Climb: 750ft
Max Height: 850ft
Min Height: 420ft
Map: OS Explorer 117 Cerne Abbas and Bere Regis
Start Point: Folly layby (Postcode: DT2 7RN, Grid reference: ST728032, What Three Words: vibrating.paintings.reinvest.)
How to Get There: From Dorchester head north on the top Sherborne Road, passing The Sun Inn. Continue for 6 miles and then turn left towards Piddletrenthide. When in the village, turn left and then right shortly after, signposted for Plush. Drive straight through Plush and continue for another 2 miles or so. The Folly is marked by a white house on the left with the crossroads of the Wessex Ridgeway. Two large lay-bys are on either side of the road, just after the house.
Dogs: In accordance with the Countryside Code and any notices on route.
Refreshments: None on route. Nearest pubs are the Brace of Pheasants in Plush or The Fox in Ansty.
Neighbouring Walks: The Dorsetshire Gap, Ansty, Cheselbourne, Plush, Buckland Newton and The Wessex Ridgeway.
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