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
Travel through Bere Heath to the River Piddle and Bere Valley. Make your way through thick woodland and fern lined paths to pass the site of the ancient Turberville Manor. Climb up to Woodbury Hill Fort, with its forgotten holy well and powerful healing water, especially at the autumn equinox! Continue through the ancient wood … Continue reading Woodbury
Distance: 5 Miles/8kmTime: 2 hoursTotal climb: 180ft. Max height: 280ft.Min height: 190ft. Terrain: Track, path and field, can get muddy and wet.Exertion: MediumStart: Lydlinch Common, just off the road near the green. (Postcode: DT10 2JA, Grid Reference: ST743135, What Three Words: secondly.unwraps.halt) Map: OS Explorer 129 Yeovil and SherborneHow to get there: From Sturminster Newton, … Continue reading Stock Gaylard and Lydlinch
Distance: 6.5 miles/10.5 km Duration: 3 hours Ability: Medium Terrain: Path, track and field. Total Climb: 375ft Max Height: 480ft Min Height: 160ft Map: OS Explorer 118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase Start Point: Harley Lane, Gussage All Saints (Postcode BH21 5HD, Grid reference: ST998107, What Three Words: shameless.bricks.sits.) It is also possible to cut this … Continue reading Gussage Down
A locals favourite. From the small village of Wimborne St Giles, explore the landscape of the Baronet who introduced the cabbage to England! Later ancestors have been hailed as heroes with monuments erected in London, whereas, in contrast, others have been associated with murder, betrayal and tragedy. However, today the property has grown into something … Continue reading Wimborne St Giles and Knowlton
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
Distance: 6 miles/8km Time: 2 hours Total climb: 520ft Max height: 475 ft Min height: 180 ft Terrain: Track, path, field and road. Exertion: Easy. Can be muddy and slippy, regardless of the weather. Start: Haydon, St Catharine Parish church (Grid ref: ST670158, Postcode: DT9 5JB) Map: OS Explorer 129 Yeovil and Sherborne How to … Continue reading Sherborne Castles, circling old and new.
