Trek around the top of the world amongst the ramparts of Rawlsbury hillfort. Enjoy wide open views over the patchwork fields of the Blackmore Vale to the peaks of the hills in Somerset. Delve down into the valley passing the lakes at the source of the River Lydden. Climb back up to Bulbarrow via a … Continue reading Rawlsbury
Explore the high valley of the River Stour. Pass through medieval wasteland, between 16th century farms to the forest of Duncliffe. Shrouded in mystery, clamber up to the peak amongst the tall trees of the thick woodland. The ground underfoot has produced treasure from the Iron Age and sculpture from the Romans, while the peak … Continue reading East Stour and Duncliffe
Sponsored by Kington Magna Parish Council The Kington Magna Millennium Walk. Enjoy a small circular stroll up, down, through and around the little village of Kington Magna. Introduced to mark the millennium, the route visits a church, with arguably the best ecclesial view of the county, looking over the Blackmore Vale from the steep slopes … Continue reading Kington Magna Millennium Walk
Once greeted by elegant herons, escape into the landscape of the little dairies. Cross patchwork fields, with views to hill forts and hunting grounds, following the footsteps of Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Pass an elegant Elizabethan Manor House that neighbours agricultural barns, cross a little stream on its way to the mighty River Stour and … Continue reading Hinton St Mary
Cut through a corner of the Blackmore Vale, along peaceful country lanes, ancient tracks and old drove roads. Pass historic farms, country manors and the oldest working post-box in the country. Discover two medieval packhorse bridges, a lost turnpike road and the vineyards that produce the grapes for Sherborne Castle. Distance: 6 miles/9km Duration: 2-3 … Continue reading Bishop’s Caundle
Start at the little hamlet of Stour Row, deep in the valley of the meandering River Stour and the landscape of Thomas Hardy's 'Tess of the D’Urbervilles'. Discover earthworks of a Romano-British settlement that grew in the medieval period but then faded back into the ground to become nothing but a scattering of barns and … Continue reading Stour Row
Follow the flow of the River Stour across Thomas Hardy’s valley of the little dairies. Explore the remains of an ancient country house and the scattered ruins of mills that traced the rivers path. Wander across the flood plains through the woodland and over the little bridges linking the villages and hamlets. Distance: 5 miles/8km … Continue reading West Stour and Fifehead Magdalen
Explore the wild and untamed heart of the Blackmore Vale. Find ancient oaks that once filled the landscape with forest. Follow the footsteps of medieval hunters, while on the pursuit for the famous King’s Stag, to uncover the legend living on in the village name. Pass manor houses, sitting high on the river banks looking … Continue reading Stock Gaylard, King’s Stag and Lydlinch
