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
Garden design, development and embellishment became the fashion amongst the landowning gentry of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, splashing their cash on elements that had no purpose other to be admired. ‘Sanctuaries’, ‘observatories’, ‘thinking towers’, 'memorials' and 'commemorations' popped up on hilltops and in hidden valleys, usually viewable through the manors windows. A selection … Continue reading Dorset’s Follies and Obelisks
Dip down to the stone outcrops and curving coves of Durdle Door and Man o War. Hear the roar of the shingle pulled back by waves which claimed the lives of the maidens of Lulworth Castle. Climb up the cliff of Swyre Head to meet the chalk arch embedded into Bat's Head. Continue to wander … Continue reading Durdle Door
From the Royal village of Tollard, sitting on the boundary of Dorset and Wiltshire, circle the famous Victorian gardens of the Larmer Tree. Start at the village pond, opposite a grumpy cart shed, to climb up to the church. Pass the terracotta coloured old manor of King John’s House, which began life as the Kings … Continue reading Larmer Tree
From the forgotten village of Coombe Keynes, complete with a mass burial from the plague and a cottage haunted by witches, climb out to the valley to the high chalk hills. Weave through the ancient forest to descent into Winfrith Newburgh before taking the old smugglers route to the sea. Delve down into the little … Continue reading Coombe Keynes
Starting at the peak of a ridge, which splits the Blackmore Vale from the River Frome, wander the landscape that trained both World Champions and Olympians. Having grown from a Second World War Military hospital, pass the raceway and solar farm and enter into a more ancient landscape. Dip into the valley of the little … Continue reading Up Sydling
Discover a hidden landscape, untouched for centuries. Climb the peaks of the hills surrounded by hillforts, ancient barrows and stone henges. Follow the ridge with views across the Jurassic coastline and discover a number of ruined farms. Delve down into the valley to find the old Abbotsbury Railway line, now just earthworks slicing through the … Continue reading Friar Waddon
Buried in the folds of the deep, dry chalk valleys, used by the Romans to source water for their fountain filled town of Durnovaria, sits Wynford Eagle. The manor house dominates the scene, topped with a stone eagle to honour the medieval family that gave the hamlet its name. The following family experienced tragedy with … Continue reading Wynford Eagle
