The River Brit, at only 8 miles long, travels from the high hills of Beaminster Down, through the Saxon town of Beaminster and into the Marshwood Vale. It carves its way between the steep sided slopes, through narrow valleys, to meet the sea at West Bay, passing county manors, riverside cottages and a dismantled railway.
Click on names for details and routes.
Beaminster Down
From the high peak of Beaminster Down, scattered with ancient tumuli, cross the common land to Kitwhistle Farm, named after the cry of the bird. Follow its farm tracks up the hill to the ridge with views overlooking the Marshwood Vale to the hillforts of Shipton, Coney’s, Lambert’s, Lewesdon and Pilsdon. Drop down into the natural Bowl of Beaminster, passing farms both standing and lost. Return weaving through the trees, climbing up the remains of a reservoir, to the ridge and back though the landscape of Beaminster Down.
Buckham Down
Start in the hidden car park and picnic area on the slopes of Buckham Down to follow the peak of the high ridge. Admire wide open views of scattered patchwork fields to both the north and south, with contrasting vistas inland and out to sea. Cross over the ‘first ever’ road tunnel to the top of Horn Park, neighbouring one of the most unique fossil sites in the whole of the country. Skim Beaminster and through Newtown to reach the ancient Meerhay Manor, surrounded by sunken lanes, stream and fern lined banks, and thatched cottages with stained glass windows. Climb back up Buckham Down, once home to Martin Clunes’ popular Buckham Country Fair, to reach the ancient spiritual site of Beaminster Down.
Parnham
From the golden stone town of Beaminster, follow the little river Brit to the skeletal remains of Parnham House. Walk through the Deer park, once cordoned off as a crime scene, up the hill and into the woods. Discover a deeply carved Holloway, its route cut into the landscape by generations of both hooves and cartwheels. The gnarly tree roots, acting as trunks, grow out the fern lined walls that could easily compete with the more famous Hell Lane. Pass the hilltop site of a burial ground for those that suffered from the plague, its location decided by a skirmish between two parishes, the procession marked with the Posy Tree. Return through the narrow, wooded river valley and up the earthwork scarred Storridge Hill to views back across Beaminster to Buckham Down.
Netherbury
Starting at a hidden Church in the little village of Netherbury, cross fields and streams to Stoke Abbott, with its medieval lion fountain and ghosts of a travelling coach and horses. Pass the Roman remains on Waddon Hill to the peak of Gerrard’s Hill, home to an elusive black cat and views out to sea. Visit the town of Beaminster and it’s pinnacled church to reach Parnham House, an ancient building rising from ashes and inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’.
Waytown
Follow the little stream of the River Brit. Discover the ancient manors of Slape and Melplash both sitting on the river banks, their well-designed parks still dominating the surrounding landscape. Explore the remains of old industries which used the power of the water but today have been washed away, the ruins now the river path. Find the modest cottages that complement the estates but have made their own history, one appearing as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage, inspiring many to create their own idyllic country life. Pass through Melplash with its Salvation, Education and Ruination corner, having only lost the education, to return via Oxbridge, a small hamlet with no school or church and its own ruination now two thatched cottages.
West Bay
Starting at the historical harbour, that has constantly fought Mother Nature, and the beach, lined with famous, crumbling sandstone rocks, clamber up East Cliff to appreciate the views along the Jurassic Coastline. Pass Bridport Golf Club dipping down into hole number 6, one of the top 100 holes in the world. Crunch through the shingle of Burton Freshwater to the River Bride, its flow struggling to reach the sea through the stones. Return to West Bay through the golf course to visit the old Station, then follow the long gone railway to the River Brit, guiding you back to the harbour. Wander to the end of the Jurassic Pier (West Pier) where modern engineering meets the waves and history is remembered by an 18thcentury cannon, found under the water.
