The River Piddle travels for 18 miles through two different landscapes. To the north are towering chalk hills of the Dorset Downs, which feed its smalls spring at Alton Pancreas. The flow travels south to then divert to the east through flat water meadows, merging with the Frome into the salty water at Poole Harbour.
Click on names for details and routes.
Wessex Ridgeway
This second part of the Wessex Ridgeway bike ride begins high on Okeford Hill with views stretching across both south and north Dorset. Travel along the ridge of Ibberton and Bulbarrow to reach the Iron Age Hillfort of Rawlsbury Camp. Cycle downhill into the first valley to rise again at the ancient junction of Dorsetshire Gap, passing a second Hillfort. The last climb up Ball Hill is short and sweet, leading to another ancient settlement and a speedy descend along the chalk tracks to Alton Pancreas.
Alton Pancras
Starting at the source of the River Piddle, wander through the village of Alton Pancras. Two manors have combined to create the settlement pattern but little is left of both other than earthworks and gate posts. Follow the valley road between cottages, the old school and farms to Burnt House Bottom where a manor was destroyed to save the village from the plague. Climb out of the valley up to the ancient landscape of the Wessex Ridgeway. With views south over the interlocking spurs discover an Iron Age settlement, spiritual burial mounds and a possible Roman fort. Drop down the slopes, which split the Blackmore Vale from the River Frome, to return to the village passing the site of the long lost pub.
Plush
Discover the secret valley of the Plush Stream. Down the back lanes of the back lanes, explore the landscape littered with ancient earthworks, medieval trackways and a mysterious chimney coming out of the ground. Climb up high for views across the heart of the county, the scenes enjoyed by a modest architect who influenced a famous writer. Delve down into the Piddle valley to find the graves of a historical family immortalised in local tales. Clamber through a Romano British settlement to arrive at the village pub, The Brace of Pheasants, to then make your way along the winding country road, following the ghostly hoofs of the funeral carts on the way to the church. Having replaced what is now little more than earthworks hidden in nearby woodland, the church became redundant, but was renovated and then frequently filled with the sound of music.
Piddletrenthide
From the little valley of the River Piddle, escape into a landscape once ruled by Iron Age tribes. Climb up between the folds of the hills to Incombe Wood, the trees hiding earthworks of the long-gone farmers. Wander through the wide-open fields, where the ploughed soils or growing crops can silently reveal traces of their lost settlement. Drop down into West Hill Bottom, where Roman remains have been unearthed to then climb up to the old drove road, now home of some rare breeds. Return to the valley to follow the meandering river upstream through the village of Piddletrenthide.
Piddlehinton
Cycle, walk or ride through the valley of the River Piddle. Pass thatched cottages and impressive country houses neighbouring crumbling barns and water meadows. Climb the hill to appreciate the wide views over the valley and beyond, the peaks scattered with ancient earthworks. Meander through the large open fields to sink back down to the bottom, where a medieval village once lay. Make your way through the earthworks and along the old droveway, sitting on the west side of the river, to discover the ruins of Piddlehinton Mill, now little more than crumbling walls and old mill leat.
Yellowham
From the Victorian poet Thomas Hardy’s Cottage, deep in Thorncombe Wood, make your way through the trees to the A35 as it slices its way through the landscape. Enter, if you dare, the woods of Yellowham, home of the Woodwoses (Dorset’s very own Bigfoot). Pass Troy Town, the home of a medieval maze, and down into the valley of the River Piddle. Discover the impressive 17th century Waterston Manor, the house inherited by Bathsheba Everdene in Hardy’s ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’. Pass the medieval village remains and site of a Roman villa before climbing up to the Ridgeway. The views widen over the large chalk fields and on to Dorchester, all in the company of many Bronze Age burial mounds. Return down to the valley of the River Frome passing the elegant Kingston Maurward House and the resting place of Thomas Hardy’s heart.
Cheselbourne
Explore by wheel, hoof or foot the chalk hills and river valleys of central Dorset. Scattered with earthworks and Roman remains, it merges with modern day settlement, woodland and water. Discover the church with an ancient canonical sundial carved into its wall and pass the haunted country house that was inspiration for Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’.
Athelhampton
Start at the beautiful, bygone and bustling building of Athelhampton, sitting on the banks of the River Piddle in Hardy’s Vale of the Great Dairies. Follow the river as it flows downstream, the clear, sparkling waters having influenced both poets and writers in stories that are still read today. Cross earthworks of a Roman Road, once marched by soldiers, now buried by nature. Meet the remains of a medieval park pale that penned in the deer for the hunting gentry, but now run free across the landscape. Wander up to the thick woodland that sits on the hilltop, lined with tall pine trees, giant beech and ancient oaks. Their hefty trunks circle the many naturally deep sinkholes and raised ancient burial mounds, while the floor can be carpeted in bluebells. Discover the stone dedicated to a war hero and a memorial garden for contemplation. Pass farms and manors, many ruined then repaired, through narrow paths and open fields all with wide open views across south and west Dorset.
Affpuddle
Weave between the deep sinkholes and rising burial mounds of Affpuddle Heath. Drop down to the little village of Briantspuddle, its little thatched cottages all built for a purpose in the 19th century. Cross over the Piddle and up to Piddles Wood, partly owned by Queen Guitarist Brain May, all with the mission to conserve. Meet the mighty development of the A35, lined with sites of lost cottages, turnpike milestones and a wind turbine. Follow the Bere Stream up to a Roman road, cutting through the countryside, intimidating the neighbouring Iron Age hillfort of Weatherby. Head back, under the dual carriageway bridge to leave the roar of the traffic behind. Enter the little village of Affpuddle, cross over the Piddle and climb up the hill to return to the mysterious woodland of Affpuddle Heath.
Bere Regis
Follow ancient paths and Holloway’s through the landscape of Bere Regis. Pass the mysterious Devil’s Stone, sitting at the peak of Black Hill, surrounded by historical activity, to the redundant church at Turners Puddle. Find the little River Piddle with perfect muddy beaches for the odd wild swim in the shallow waters and a swing on the rope. Climb into Piddles Wood the wildness running parallel to the busy A35. Return via Shitterton to Bere Regis, the home to Thomas Hardy’s real life D’Urberville family.
Wareham Forest
Travel through Bere Heath to the River Piddle and Bere Valley. Make your way through thick woodland and fern lined paths to pass the site of the ancient Turberville Manor. Climb up to Woodbury Hill Fort, with its forgotten holy well and powerful healing water, especially at the autumn equinox! Continue through the ancient wood to Bloxworth, past the once-ruined Bloxworth Manor, to return through the village and Wareham Forest.
St Edwards Way
St Edward’s Way – A pilgrimage following the footsteps of the elaborate yet mournful ceromony of murdered teenager, King Edward. Travelling from Wareham on the banks of Poole Harbour to his resting place as a Saint in Shaftesbury Abbey.
Coldharbour
Wander beneath the thick canopy of Wareham Forest, following the Sika Trail toward Wareham itself. Cross the railway tracks to reach the River Piddle, where a 14th-century bridge carries you over its quiet waters. Climb the hill to discover one of the most remarkable Saxon churches in the country, then descend along the ancient Saxon walls back into the valley of the River Piddle. Wind through the floodplains to West Mill, pass beneath the railway bridge, and return to the forest, skimming the rediscovered gardens of Carey House, all in the footsteps of a saint’s funeral entourage.
Wareham
From the Saxon town of Wareham, follow the River Frome to Poole Harbour, tracing the reverse route of invading Danes. Curve around Swineham Point with views stretching from Arne peninsula, to Brownsea Island and to the shimmering conurbation of Poole. Meet the River Piddle entering Wareham via the ancient town walls. Pass a stunning example of a Saxon, 1000 year old church and, keeping to the walls, return to the River Frome and back to The Old Granary.
