Circle the magical woodland, forest and heathland of Gore Heath and Morden Bog. The spiritual landscape of the Bronze Age became heavily farmed. The underlying clay was quarried and supplied bricks, tiles, pots and drainpipes for local buildings while the peat and heather provided heating and bedding. But the destruction of the soil, caused by … Continue reading Gore Heath and Morden Bog
Disappear into the secret valleys of Compton Valence. Weave through the deep interlocking spurs and up to view the hidden countryside, its contours perfect for the first Roman aqueduct. Drop down into the valley of the River Frome to Frampton, skirting a nature reserve with its own Roman villa. Explore the landscape of Frampton Park, … Continue reading Compton Valence to Frampton
From the Lulworth Cove Inn cycle the chalk hills and absorb the sights along the Jurassic coastline to the Smugglers Inn. Climb out the valley to Daggers Gate, with its own little legend, to begin the rural route along paths of the original Customs Officials while they patrolled the cliff tops for smugglers. Pass Durdle … Continue reading Lulworth Cove to Osmington Mills – Bike Ride
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 … Continue reading Cheselbourne
From the Smugglers Inn in Osmington Mills, cycle the hills and absorb the sights, to Lulworth Cove. Pass through the village of Osmington to admire the White Horse from the high ridge of Coombe Bottom to then descend and rise again at Ringstead. Enjoy the wide views from St Aldhem’s Head in the East to … Continue reading Osmington Mills to Lulworth Cove – Bike Ride.
Terrain - Sandy and stony tracks. Can get very muddy and boggy if wet. Map – OL 15 Purbeck and South Dorset Start – There are a few car parks along Sugar Hill. Gore Heath also has its own car park. There are also a number of pull-ins scattered around the forest. Refreshments –The Silent … Continue reading Wareham Forest bike ride
Terrain - Track and road. Map - OS Explorer 117 Cerne Abbas and Bere Regis Start – Two official car parks and a few large laybys surround the forest. Refreshments – National Trust Café at Thomas Hardy’s Cottage Puddletown Forest sits in between the country town of Dorchester and the small village of Puddletown. Originally … Continue reading Puddletown Forest Bike ride
Eight villages line the valley, all gaining their name from the river. Once the location of an abbey, a monastery and the existence of a surviving medieval pack horse bridge, it suggests activity and life has been here for centuries. Going back even earlier in time, ancient earthworks sit abreast the hill tops and Roman … Continue reading The Tarrant Valley
