Explore the patchwork fields of the Marshwood Vale. Dive deep into the narrow valleys, carved out of the soft slopes and dotted with 17th century thatched farmhouses, crumbling barns and stone walls. Rise up to the ridge for views across the Vale to the sea, bordered inland by ancient hillforts. Skim the southern slopes of … Continue reading Salwayash
Explore Dorset’s far 'Wild West', land that was last to be claimed from the forest and is still just as wild. Pass avenues of trees that grow in the gardens of the old monastery, now Forde Abbey. Cross little valleys and explore ancient woodland to the hamlet of Holditch. Discover Holditch Court, with the ivy … Continue reading Forde Abbey and Holditch
From the shingle, fossil lined beach at Seatown make your way inland to discover the medieval Chideock Castle earthworks, marked with a cross to celebrate the martyrs. Continue on to Dorset’s most famous Holloway of Hells Lane, hidden almost underground it would have once been filled with scuttling smugglers. Pass the Manor that replaced the … Continue reading Seatown, Chideock and Golden Cap
Exploring three Iron Age hilforts that surround the Marshwood Vale. Towering above the landscape the views stretch for miles. Distance: From a mile to as long as you like.Time: At your own leisure.Total climb: Coney's Castle and Lambert’s Castle associated car parks are almost on a level setting with the hillforts. However, Pilsdon Pen does … Continue reading Coney’s Castle, Lambert’s Castle and Pilson Pen.
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
