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
The life of William Barnes in the Dorset landscape (22 February 1801 – 7 October 1886) https://videopress.com/v/Y58zWF4K?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true William Barnes The farmer’s boy, who grew up in the countryside, is undeservedly overshadowed by the more famous Thomas Hardy, but there would be no Hardy without Barnes. The poet, writer, inventor, artist, mathematician and priest was born … Continue reading William Barnes
From Manston, deep in the Blackmore Vale, discover its little church and mausoleum, used to house perished loved ones until cremation was made legal. Wander across the floodplains of the River Stour to Fontmell Parva and its large 17th century country house. Climb up Porter's Hill, using the little trackways that connected isolated farms, to … Continue reading Fontmell Parva
🌊From Sea to Sky.🌤️ St Edward's Way - A pilgrimage following the footsteps of the elaborate yet mournful ceromony of murdered teenager, King Edward. Travelling from Wareham on the banks of Poole Harbour to his resting place as a Saint in Shaftesbury Abbey. Distance: 33miles/51km Terrain: Tracks, paths, fields and roads. Access: All on a … Continue reading St Edward’s Way
As the wide and fast flowing River Stour enters the conurbation of Bournemouth it winds its way through Throop. Pass the village’s ruined mill, still standing on the river banks, apparently haunted by children lost to the water. Cross the mill stream using its iron sluice gates, holding back the flow from the giant mill … Continue reading Throop
