Admire the quiet valley of the little River Cerne as it deeply carves its way through the chalk hills. Beginning at the farmstead of Nether Cerne, discover its hidden church and manor house, once under the influence of the mighty Cerne Abbey. Follow the river downstream before climbing to the ridge that divides the Cerne … Continue reading Nether Cerne
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
Wander beneath the thick canopy of Wareham Forest, following the Sika Trail toward Wareham itself. Cross the railway tracks to reach the River Piddle, where a 15th-century bridge carries you over its quiet waters. Climb the hill to discover one of the most remarkable Saxon churches in the country, then descend along the ancient Saxon … Continue reading Coldharbour
Weave through the hidden paths, between interlocking spurs, high up in the valley of the River Frome. From a tunnel, carved into the chalk, climb out of the valley to drop back down to the river where sheep were once washed. Merge onto the old road, passing ruins of lives gone by, to Frome St … Continue reading Holywell
From the home of Dorset’s most famous poet discover the landscape that was the inspiration for Stonehenge. Drop down into the meadows of the River Frome, crossing the oldest railway of the county. Follow the river downstream to West Stafford skimming the home of an Oscar winning film director. Weave with the little river of … Continue reading Max Gate
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
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
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
