Follow the valley of the River Stour through the heart of the Blackmore Vale. Circle the edge of the meadows beneath Sturminster Newton before crossing the Victorian Colber Bridge. Climb out of the Stour valley before dropping into the valley of the River Divelish, its name deriving from its dark waters rather than anything devilish. … Continue reading Colber
Follow the little Heddon River upstream as it threads north through the far corner of Exmoor to Heddon’s Mouth. After meeting the sea, trace it back inland, climbing through deep woodland and along ancient paths walked for centuries. Skim the edges of Iron Age enclosures, Bronze Age standing stones and the earthworks of forgotten castles … Continue reading Heddon River
From deep within the explosive landscape of the old Cordite Factory, where heathland meets the edge of Wareham Forest, discover the scattered ruins of both defence and industry. Cross the faint lines of forgotten tramways and follow paths named after colourful local characters, from witches to wayward clergy. Skim the thick woodland edge to the … Continue reading Holton Heath
Wander through the wilder lands of Cranborne Chase. From the little whitewashed church at Chalbury, cross the old turnpike road into the Crichel estate. Follow the River Allen upstream past lost villages and the remnants of forgotten mills. Continue through the valley to the estate’s most crucial mill before reaching Stanbridge, an infamous river crossing … Continue reading Stanbridge
Explore the medieval landscape of Sherborne. Climb down from the terraces to the River Yeo to discover the ruins of West Mill, crumbling into the water that once gave it its power. Rise out of the valley to circle the woods and drop back down to the railway where a Roman villa once stood. Cross … Continue reading Lenthay
From a landscape carved by the river, follow lakes and lanes into a spiritual environment. Weave around modern housing, the pylons that mark the edge of Bournemouth’s urban sprawl, and between hidden Bronze Age burial mounds. Skim the ghost of a faded country manor, once home to a single family, now an estate of hundreds. … Continue reading Dudsbury
From Christchurch’s Saxon walls, follow the River Avon beneath railway bridges and past ancient mills. Cross the water using the historic sluice gates at Knapp Mill, entering the vast, open landscape of Winkton Common. Loop around the village of Burton, passing thatched cottages straight out of fairytales, and once home to the author of Goldilocks … Continue reading Burton
From deep within Dorset’s valleys, brush the border with Devon. Skim past Sadborow Estate, its former owners once painted by Gainsborough, separated then reunited in Dorchester. Weave through woodland, cross gentle streams, and climb up into Marshwood, where views stretch across the vale to the distant sea. Among the hilltops of Pilsdon Pen and Lambert’s … Continue reading Birdsmoorgate
