Venture through the historic village of Monkton Combe, uncovering layers of its industrial past. From the school, mill, lock-up and church, follow the route of the lost canal towards Tucking Mill. Climb up to the top of the viaduct, once part of the Somerset and Dorset railway, and step into one of the longest tunnelled … Continue reading Monkton Combe
Enter the thick woodland of Puddletown Forest to find the raised agger of an important Roman road cutting through the county. Follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers across open heathland, with wide views over the Frome Valley and Thomas Hardy’s Vale of the Great Dairies. Discover the Rainbarrows, once gleaming white with chalk and … Continue reading Puddletown Forest Roman Road
Starting high above Ringstead Bay, with wide views out to sea and along the Jurassic Coast, leave the waves behind and begin the descent down Gallows Hill. Discover the remains of Holworth’s lost village, its story echoed along this coastline where plague once devastated communities. Climb up to the Ridgeway, a landscape scattered with evidence … Continue reading Poxwell
From deep within the roots of the ancient Selwood Forest, wander a landscape that shaped Iron Age tribes, settling Saxons, and the counties of Wessex. Drop down into the valley of the River Stour, joining its short course through Wiltshire to the possible site of Egbert’s Stone, marking the point where three counties meet. Follow … Continue reading Bourton
From a little ruin of a lime kiln, embedded in the slopes, climb up to the South Dorset Ridgeway. Pass stone circles, dolmen, megaliths and barrows all in the company of wide open views of the Jurassic Coastline. Dip down into the wooded valley of the 17th century Gorwell Farm, surrounded by stone barns, steep … Continue reading South Dorset Ridgeway
From the coastal cliffs of Kimmeridge, wander inland down into the valley of the River Corfe. Pass the mysterious Harp Stone, once marking an ancient route now sunk into the ground, and carved by centuries of rain, wind and sea spray. Clamber the remaining earthworks of Whiteway and zig zag up the Purbeck Hills to … Continue reading Blackmanston
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
