A two-mile trail, featuring nine artistic stiles, promoting the village's history and landscape while supporting community projects, local businesses and well-being initiatives. Introduction Summary Participants Village History Route All Accessible Route The Stile Trail (click and zoom for larger image) Officially opened by Steve Harris from BBC Radio Dorset on 28th June 2025 at The … Continue reading The Stourton Caundle Stile Trail
Weave between the deep sinkholes and rising burial mounds of Affpuddle Heath. Drop down to the little village of Briantspuddle, its little thatched cottages all built for a purpose in the 19th century. Cross over the Piddle and up to Piddles Wood, partly owned by Queen Guitarist Brain May, all with the mission to conserve. … Continue reading Affpuddle
Enter into the wooded landscape of Hurn Forest. Skim the busy Bournemouth International Airport, where the growl of the engines can shake the trees. Ride or walk along the ridge as it rises up above the hidden Moors River valley. Weave between the towering trunks merging onto tracks coming from many different directions. Curve around … Continue reading Hurn
From the large, golden stone village of Milborne Port, cross the county boundary out of Somerset and into Dorset. Meet the hedges of the lost London Road, its route heavily used until the introduction of the turnpikes. Enter the little hamlet of Goathill complete with its cave, church and old mill, and cross the river … Continue reading Goathill
Starting at the source of the River Piddle, wander through the village of Alton Pancras. Two manors have combined to create the settlement pattern but little is left of both other than earthworks and gate posts. Follow the valley road between cottages, the old school and farms to Burnt House Bottom where a manor was … Continue reading Alton Pancras
Hidden high the valley of the River Nadder, discover the little village of Swallowcliffe, compete with its local pub saved by the residents then bought by a Top Gear presenter. Wander past the site of the lost chapel, up onto the high hills sheltered in Swallowcliffe Wood, to views of White Sheet Hill topped with … Continue reading Swallowcliffe
From an ancient stone bridge, with tales of life and death, follow the River Frome upstream through Thomas Hardy’s 'Vale of the Great Dairies'. Walk between the river and Dorset’s busiest railway to the hamlet of East Stoke. Skim the site of its lost chapel and pass its converted church up to the old turnpike … Continue reading Holmebridge
From the source of the River Frome, climb up to the peak of the ridge that splits it from the River Yeo. Cross the Roman Road of Long Ash Lane, once described by Thomas Hardy as a deserted highway. Skim the railway tunnel of Holywell to drop down into the village of Melbury Bubb. Pass … Continue reading Bubb Hill
