In the far corner of the Blackmore Vale lies the village of Buckland Newton, a combination of medieval hamlets, linked together by streams, slopes and tracks. Home to William Barnes ancestors and a village passed through by one of Thomas Hardy’s tragic characters, it is surrounded by ancient settlement sitting on the hilltops. A golden … Continue reading Buckland Newton
Explore Dorset’s far 'Wild West', land that was last to be claimed from the forest and is still just as wild. Pass avenues of trees that grow in the gardens of the old monastery, now Forde Abbey. Cross little valleys and explore ancient woodland to the hamlet of Holditch. Discover Holditch Court, with the ivy … Continue reading Forde Abbey and Holditch
Inspiring the writer Thomas Hardy and the artist John Constable, the small, rural town of Gillingham was hidden deep in ancient forest. Follow the River Lodden through the earthworks of Kings Court, the powerful, medieval hunting lodge, which turned into a castle. Walk on into the new landscape carved out of the old woodland, scattered … Continue reading Gillingham
Wander through the hills and valleys of the Marshwood Vale, under the shadow of a number of hillforts. Pass Bettiscombe Manor, home of the fashion designer Jasper Conran, set amongst the small cushioned slopes at the foot of Pilsdon Pen. Follow the river to the hamlet of Pilsdon, where a loving community lives, helping those … Continue reading Bettiscombe
The Big Map of Dorset is a hand drawn, to scale map of the whole county. It is drawn using pen and pencil onto four separate canvases, adding up to a total size of approximately 2 metres by 2 metres. The map records only a simple selection of earthworks, woodland, water, roads, tracks and settlement. … Continue reading The Big Map of Dorset
Explore the ancient woodlands of East Dorset, once hunted by kings, young and old, the forest having not changed for centuries. Modern day footpaths are even hard to find, making it a real wild adventure! Discover the font that was apparently used by Saint Aldhelm in the late 600’s and was originally placed in the … Continue reading Woodlands and the Remedy Oak
