Puddletown

From the village of Puddletown, named for the river on which it sits, venture out into the storied landscape of Troy Town. Climb the hillside once home to a Miz Maze, a winding turf pattern long believed to have been used for witchcraft and ritual. Follow the old drove roads down to the forgotten Blandford road—once busy with travellers, now overshadowed by the modern dual carriageway—and slip beneath its bridge into the depths of Puddletown Forest. Wonder among the towering trees and past hollow depressions of the forest floor, tracing the paths once trodden by Roman soldiers and later immortalised by Thomas Hardy. Skim the line of the Roman road before returning to Puddletown, with its 12th-century parish church standing at the heart of the village.

Distance: 4.5miles/7.5km

Time: 2 hours

Ability: Easy.

Max height: 475ft

Min height: 193ft

Total climb: 392ft

Terrain: Tracks, paths, fields and roads.

Start Point: St Mary’s, The Square. (Postcode: DT2 8SN, Grid Reference: SY758943, What Three Words: foreheads.alternate.wording).

Map: OS Explorer OL15 Purbeck and South Dorset

How to get there: From Dorchester travel west on the A35 to then turn left onto the slip road to the A354. Take the fourth exit crossing over the duel carriageway and into Puddletown. Turn left after the Blue Vinney pub onto the Backwater and follow it around the right hand bend to merge onto Mill Street. Take the second left onto the Square to find parking next to the church on the right.

Dogs: On leads where livestock is present and in accordance with any notices on the walk and The Countryside Code.

Refreshments: Just off the route is The Blue Vinny and nearby is The Martyrs Inn in Tolpuddle and The Wise Man in West Stafford.

Neighbouring Walks: Dewlish, Weatherby, Athelhampton, Pallington, Woodsford, Stinsford, Yellowham and Cheselbourne.