Explore the scenic National Nature Reserves of Tadnoll and Winfrith. Climb up a rare, ancient bell barrow, rising high above the heathland, to views across the south of Dorset. Follow the railway to the road to cross bridges built by generous landowners, allowing access between their estates. Use the old carriage rides of Moreton Park to skim past the tallest obelisk in the county, slowly falling apart. Arrive back at the railway and return on the narrow country lane, between fields, farms, flora and fauna, to Tadnoll Barrow, sliced in two and marking the reserve’s edge.
Distance: 4miles/6.5km
Time: 2 hours
Ability: Easy.
Max height: 180ft
Min height: 75ft
Total climb: 115ft
Terrain: Tracks, paths, fields and roads.
Start Point: Tadnoll Nature Reserve, Redbridge Road. (Postcode: DT2 8DS, Grid Reference: SY791875, What Three Words: outhouse.overtime.below).
Map: OS Explorer OL15 Purbeck and South Dorset
How to get there: From Wareham, travel west for approximately 4 miles on the A362 to Wool. Turn right onto East Burton Road to run parallel with the railway on the left hand side. Stay on the same road for just over 2 miles, leaving and re-joining the railway to then turn left onto Gatemore Road. In about 600 metres a large layby leading onto Winfrith Nature Reserve is on the right hand side.
Dogs: On leads where livestock is present in accordance with any notices on the walk and The Countryside Code. Dogs on leads in the summer months throughout the Nature Reserves to protect ground nesting birds.
Refreshments: None on route but nearby are The Seven Stars outside East Burton and The Red Lion in Winfrith Newburgh
Neighbouring Walks: Pallington, Lawrence of Arabia, Winfrith, Winfrith Newburgh, Warmwell, West Knighton and Woodsford.
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today.
We really enjoyed this walk. One issue for us was that the marshy area near Whitcombe Hill was really difficult to cross without waders. We tried two routes to get across but encountered deep marshy pools blocking our way. Unless there was a drier path that we missed, this is going to be a nightmare in wetter weather… we only survived by the skin of our dedraggled teeth… David and Gena
One to remember! Did you find the bridge ok? It can get tricky, not only the terrain but the path to follow too!