From the little village of Symondsbury, walk along the permissive paths of the estate to Dorset’s most impressive Holloways. Hidden deep within the sandstone and amongst the roots of trees, it creates a secret and mystical atmosphere. Climb to the top of Colmer’s Hill, to stand at the peak, in the centre of the pine … Continue reading Colmers Hill
Starting at Wyke's old brewery, its coach house, pound and pub cut across the landscape, over the railway to reach the River Stour. Find the heart, etched into the stone on Eccliffe Bridge, the mill and river once inspiring John Constable. Discover impressive manors, medieval halls and houses fit for a Queen, with tales of … Continue reading Wyke and Eccliffe
Starting at the peak of Wootton Hill, under the canopy of Charmouth Forest, explore the medieval landscape of Wootton Fitzpaine and Champernhayes. Discover farmhouses, built from monastery remains, and ruins of their intensive activity. Follow the Monkton Wyld River upstream returning to woodland scattered with bluebells, beech, oak and art. Distance: 5 miles/7km Duration: 2-3 … Continue reading Charmouth Forest
Start at the little hamlet of Stour Row, deep in the valley of the meandering River Stour and the landscape of Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Discover earthworks of a Romano-British settlement that grew into the medieval period but then became nothing but a scattering of farms. Pass an artistic creation that is a feast for … Continue reading Stour Row
The Big Map of Dorset is a hand drawn, to scale map of the whole county. It is drawn using pen and pencil onto four separate canvases, adding up to a total size of approximately 2 metres by 2 metres. The map records only a simple selection of earthworks, woodland, water, roads, tracks and settlement. … Continue reading The Big Map of Dorset
Discover a secret of the Jurassic Coast, hidden down narrow roads, for only the brave to venture. The small village of Eype (Lower and Higher) sits on the river Eype as it meets the sea on the shingle beach at Eype Mouth. Walk back through the village and through ancient woodland to the historical landscape … Continue reading Eype and Thorncombe Beacon
A hillfort is a type of earthwork once used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. Hillforts developed in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age, roughly at the start of the first millennium BC, some later used in the post-Roman period. The fortification usually … Continue reading Dorset Hillforts
From the smart little bistro of The Elms, wander across the golf course to Folke, passing its manor house and church. Join onto the old medieval road between Sherborne and Dorchester to reach the ancient building of West Hall, complete with scars caused during historical battle. Make your way through the many orchards and back … Continue reading North Wootton
