Explore Christchurch with a history much deeper than its surrounding harbour waters. Find the Priory, its location selected by a divine being and the wood carved by Jesus himself. Wander the ruins of the castle and the Norman Hall, the medieval hotel for royalty, with its toilet hanging over the little mill stream. Discover secret … Continue reading Christchurch
Wander between the watery paths of the Stour, Slod and Shreen. Skim a spiritual barrow dating back to the Neolithic, later used to bury the dead from battles with Vikings. Explore the village of Milton on Stour with medieval links to King Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Climb up the hill … Continue reading Milton on Stour
Cranborne, a small village which is rich in history, including naughty monks, revengeful princesses, ruined castles, smugglers and highwaymen. The landscape is filled with wild wood, spiritual burial mounds, Iron Age settlement, and Neolithic mystery, all of which is the playground for a plethora of wildlife. It has all been preserved thanks to the first … Continue reading Cranborne
From the little village of Wool, the name deriving from springs rather than sheep, clamber over its old village earthworks to the haunting remains of the monastery of Bindon. Follow the little country road and the flood plains of the River Frome to discover the ruins of St Mary’s church, buried in brambles, concealing the … Continue reading Wool and Bindon Abbey
Explore the history of Brownsea Island. From a defence to a sanctuary, it has seen the rise and fall of both settlement and industry. Managed by landowners who ranged from mad to depressed as well as hosting lavish parties for European royalty to hiding from the world, it has risen from the ashes twice and … Continue reading Brownsea Island
Follow the footsteps of ancient kings. Discover the remains of the 12th century castle that dominated the hunting grounds of Cranborne Chase. Explore the village that was once a powerful administrate office, blessed with manors and lodges, that, over time, slowly shrank back into the landscape. Distance: 3.5 miles/ 5km Duration: 2 hours Ability: Easy. … Continue reading Cranborne and Castle Hill
Hall and woodhouse series Distance – 3 miles/5 km Time – 1.5 hours Total climb - 100ft Max height - 290ft Min height - 200ft Terrain - Track, path, road and field. Exertion - Easy Start - The Crown Inn (Grid ref: ST782187, Postcode: DT10 1LN). Map - OS Explorer 129 Yeovil and Sherborne. How … Continue reading The Crown, Marnhull – Village walk
Distance: 5 miles/8km Time: 2 hours Total climb: 280 ft Max height: 425 ft Min height: 151 ft Terrain: Track, path, road and field. Exertion: Medium to Hard. Some mud after rain. Start: The Anvil (Grid Ref: ST905093, Postcode DT11 8UQ). Map: Explorer 118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase How to get there: From Salisbury travel … Continue reading The Anvil, Pimperne
