Shapwick

From the red brick cottages and thatched roofs of Shapwick, complete with tales of strange creatures and floating coffins, follow the meandering River Stour to one of the oldest bridges in the county. Trace the route of pilgrims out of the valley to skim the remains of one of the richest nunneries in England. Climb up into the Iron Age and Roman landscape of Badbury Rings and Vindocladia, the Roman town once in competition with Durnovaria, Dorchester’s ancestor, but has since disappeared under the soil. Return to the village back to the Saxon cross, topped with later memorials, which appeared in the background of a 1980s Doctor Who episode.

Distance: 5 miles/8km

Time: 2 hours

Ability: Easy.

Max height: 225ft

Min height: 82ft

Total climb: 176ft

Terrain: Tracks, paths, fields and roads.

Start Point: St Bartholomew’s Church Car Park. (Postcode: DT11 9LA, Grid Reference: ST937016, What Three Words: staining.defected.scorpions).

Map: OS Explorer 118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase

How to get there: From Blandford turn off the bypass, between the Wimborne and Poole roundabouts, to Langton Long. Travel along the valley road, following the course of the River Stour for about 4 miles, turning left then right at the dog leg in Tarrant Crawford. Once in the centre of Shapwick, marked by the stone cross, turn right down Church Lane to find the Car Park, just before the church, on the left.  

Dogs: On leads where livestock is present and in accordance with any notices on the walk and The Countryside Code. The Stour Way to the south of the church (not used on this walk) is a permissive path owned by the National Trust.  Due the welfare of the livestock dogs are strictly prohibited.

Refreshments: At the start and finish of the walk is The Anchor Inn and nearby are the True Lovers Knot in Tarrant Keyneston and The Red Lion Inn in Sturminster Marshall.

Neighbouring Walks: Spetisbury, Tarrant Keyneston, Tarrant Monkton, Kingston Lacy to Badbury and Sturminster Marshall.