Delve down into the deep valley of Fishpond Bottom, exploring that last corner of Dorset to emerge from the anciently wild landscape. From the peak of Lambert’s Castle, cross the ridge to skim the Iron Age ramparts of Coney’s Castle. Drop down the steep slopes to the boggy rivers that once fed the medieval monks … Continue reading Fishpond Bottom
From the high peak of Beaminster Down, scattered with ancient tumuli, cross the common land to Kitwhistle Farm, named after the cry of the bird. Follow its farm tracks up the hill to the ridge with views overlooking the Marshwood Vale to the hillforts of Shipton, Coney’s, Lambert’s, Lewesdon and Pilsdon. Drop down into the … Continue reading Beaminster Down
Explore the small and intricate valleys of North West Dorset. From the hidden village of Thorncombe, climb the slopes of the Stonelake Brook as it carves its way down a steep and narrow ravine. Leave the trees at its source to discover the lost Sadborow Pound, set in a triangle and circled by medieval roads, … Continue reading Thorncombe
Delve deep into the patchwork fields of the Marshwood Vale. Starting at a medieval site where monks once prepared themselves for the end of their pilgrimage to Saint Wite, sink into the valley, surrounded by a number of ancient hillforts. Follow the footsteps of the pilgrims from the Shave Cross Inn along the river banks … Continue reading Shave Cross
From the big village of Broadwindsor, where King Charles II once dressed as a lady and ran for his life, head up the slopes of Lewesdon Hill. Cross the small brooks that feed the River Axe to join the ancient routes which merge with medieval trackways, leading to the highest point in Dorset. Clamber the … Continue reading Lewesdon Hill
From the shingle and fossil lined beach at Seatown make your way inland to discover the medieval Chideock Castle earthworks, marked with a cross to celebrate the martyrs. Follow a route that echos the coast of Great Britain on to Dorset’s most famous Holloway of Hell Lane. Hidden almost underground it would have been filled … Continue reading Seatown, Chideock and Golden Cap
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
