Follow the valley of the River Corfe away from the famous castle ruins onto Corfe Common. Cross the old steam railway to arrive at the Saxon settlement of Woolgarston. Pass the thatched cottages, stone walls and wooden gates to reach the base of Brenscombe Hill. Climb up to the top of the Purbeck ridgeway, with … Continue reading Woolgarston
Discover a pocket of peace surrounded by three growing towns. From the golf course that sits on its edge, venture into the vast and wild landscape of Canford Heath. Weave between gnarly branches and fallen tree trunks on a terrain of sand, skimming industrial sites that border the nature reserve. Ride or walk along the … Continue reading Canford Heath
Buried in the folds of the fields and slopes is the small hamlet of Rodden, surrounding its old Manor House. Climb up the steep sided valley to the peak of Merry Hill, with views over an old railway line and out to sea. Pass converted barns, which have featured in films, to then join the … Continue reading Rodden
Circle the magical woodland, forest, and heathland of Gore Heath and Morden Bog. The spiritual landscape of the Bronze Age became heavily farmed. The underlying clay was quarried and supplied bricks, tiles, pots, and drainpipes for local buildings, while the peat and heather provided heating and bedding. But the destruction of the soil, caused by … Continue reading Gore Heath and Morden Bog
From the golden stone town of Beaminster, follow the little river Brit to the skeletal remains of Parnham House. Walk through the Deer park, once cordoned off as a crime scene, up the hill and into the woods. Discover a deeply carved Holloway, its route cut into the landscape by generations of both hooves and … Continue reading Parnham
Dip down to the stone outcrops and curving coves of Durdle Door and Man o War. Hear the roar of the shingle pulled back by waves which claimed the lives of the maidens of Lulworth Castle. Climb up the cliff of Swyre Head to meet the chalk arch embedded into Bat’s Head. Continue to wander … Continue reading Durdle Door
From the forgotten village of Coombe Keynes, complete with a mass burial from the plague and a cottage haunted by witches, climb out to the valley to the high chalk hills. Weave through the ancient forest to descend into Winfrith Newburgh before taking the old smugglers' route to the sea. Delve down into the little … Continue reading Coombe Keynes
Explore the little bowl of Kimmeridge. Climb up its easterly peak to the Clavell Tower, once a folly then a coastguard station now a holiday home. Skim the wide open bay, darkened by its precious black rock, to Gaulter Gap. Follow the little river upstream to reach the hidden hamlet, so out of the way … Continue reading Kimmeridge
