From a large country estate with tales of murder and mystery, follow the old driveway to discover a forgotten but elaborate, stone bridge. Built by the Lord of the Manor’s mother to impress arriving guests and hide the newly developed yet invasive railway line, it is now left abandoned in woodland. With the tracks now gone, trace the route to the river banks of the River Stour. Curve with the meandering course to return to Canford Manor, passing under modern day graffiti covered road bridges and a Victorian suspension bridge, wobbling over gushing water, requiring worried dogs to be carried!
Distance: 2 miles/3.5km (2.5 miles/4km to include the view of the Manor).
Duration: 1 hour
Ability: Easy.
Max Height: 80ft.
Min Height: 45ft.
Total climb: 50ft.
Terrain: Track, path and old railway. Depending on your tolerance of bumpy ground, both paths are possible to use for wheelchairs/mobility scooters but the railway is accessed only by steps.
Map: OS Explorer 118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase.
Start Point (Postcode: BH21 3AD, Grid Reference: SZ031987, What Three Words: revealing.colleague.legs).
How to Get There: From the Bear Cross roundabout on the Ringwood road, north of Bournemouth, follow the A341 North West out of the town. After about 2 miles, turn right onto the Canford Magna Road. Follow it slowly through the village and past the school buildings, adhering to the traffic controls. When the road bends to the left, take the right hand road down the hill. Parking is on the left hand side, opposite the church.
Refreshments: None on route but there a number of options are nearby in Wimborne.
Neighbouring Walks: Pamphill, Kingston Lacy, Wimborne, Lytchett Minster and Charborough
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