Starting at The True Lovers Knot in Tarrant Keyneston, follow the Tarrant Valley upstream to the Roman road which connected Badbury Rings to Hod Hill. Climb the chalk slopes and cross a golf course to the ramparts of Buzbury Rings. Amongst its surrounding earthworks is a Neolithic causeway, connecting the River Stour to the ancient … Continue reading Tarrant Keyneston
Begin at a unique church that has been saved by the spirit of Thomas Hardy, once described by King Charles III as exquisite and complete with original aged oak beams. Pass the 17th century Manor House of Anderson, growing old as its formal garden, driveway and river crossing fade back to the landscape. In World … Continue reading Anderson and Combs Ditch
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
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
Starting at the dismantled old railway and remains of the station of Spetisbury, head to Crawford Castle, an Iron Age hill fort. Cross the River Stour, using one of the oldest bridges in the county, into the Tarrant Valley. Discover the isolated St Mary's Church, where a Queen was buried and the walls are still … Continue reading Spetisbury
Distance - 10 miles Duration - 2 hours. Exertion - Easy Terrain - Path, track and road. Max height - 300ft Min height - 110ft Total climb - 350ft Map - OS Explorer 118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase Start - Badbury Rings car park (Postcode: BH21 4DZ, Grid Reference: ST960030, What Three words: additives.vouch.ticked) Refreshments … Continue reading Badbury Rings Bike ride
From the Langton Arms, deep in the Tarrant Valley, explore the village and find its rare packhorse bridge. Follow the footsteps of medieval travellers, crossing the path of the Roman soldiers and up to the woods on the chalk hills. Discover Tarrant Rushton airfield, which played a crucial role in WW2 but is now just … Continue reading Tarrant Monkton
