Wade along the soggy banks of the River Frome as it skims past the hamlet of Frome St Quintin. Discover the Elizabethan Manor House of Chantmarle, its drive crossing both the railway and river using a stone balustrade bridge. Once on the edge of ruin it became a police academy and is now home to the largest collection of military vehicles amongst other varied assemblages. Cross the earthworks of the settlement of Blakemore with the possibility of a lost castle. Curve through the valley to climb up to the Roman road of Long Ash Lane, sitting on the high ridgeway and immortalised by Thomas Hardy. Drop down the hill to return to Frome St Quintin with views back to Chantmarle and over the Frome valley.
Distance: 4.5miles/7km
Time: 2 hours
Ability: Medium. Some tricky paths to find and can get very muddy. One steep climb.
Max height: 750ft
Min height: 410ft
Total climb: 362ft
Terrain: Tracks, paths, fields and roads.
Start Point: Church Farm. (Postcode: DT2 0HF, Grid Reference: ST599025, What Three Words: guardian.grinders.cracker).
Map: OS Explorer 117 Cerne Abbas and Bere Regis
How to get there: From Dorchester travel North West on the A37 for approximately 10 miles. After passing the George Hotel and Wardon Hill ‘golf ball’ take the next sharp left hand turning onto Frome Lane. Drop down the hill to enter into Frome St Quintin and, when the road splits, turn to the left to find parking next to the barns on the right. Please avoid blocking any access.
Dogs: On leads where livestock is present and in accordance with any notices on the walk and The Countryside Code.
Refreshments: None on route but nearby are The Chalk and Cheese in Maiden Newton, The Greyhound, in Sydling St Nicholas and The Chetnole Inn in Chetnole.
Neighbouring Walks: Melbury Sampford, Batcombe, Up Sydling, Sydling St Nicholas, Cattistock and Rampisham.
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