From Thomas Hardy’s village of Marlott, wander the old tracks once trodden by Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Pass her childhood cottage and drift into open fields, past a weathered stone quarry and an avenue of trees near the site of a Roman temple. Follow the sunken path of Leigh Lane as it drops into the … Continue reading King’s Mill
Explore the forgotten lands of the Blackmore Vale. Begin high in the valley of the River Lydden, in the small hamlet of Duntish, and follow its winding streams through fields, farms, and pockets of ancient woodland. Pass through the little village of Buckland Newton, crossing its old ford, before climbing towards the edge of a … Continue reading Duntish
Explore the historically rich landscape split by two rivers and conquered by Iron Age tribes, the Romans, and Wessex Kings. From the River Stour’s shoreline at Eye Bridge, follow the water downstream to the shallow ford that was topped by Julian’s Bridge. Wander through the medieval town of Wimborne to its Saxon Minster, complete with … Continue reading Wimborne
From the little village of Iwerne Minster, climb up the chalk hills to views over the Blackmore Vale. Head between anciently farmed fields of the Iron Age and medieval periods, passing earthworks of a lost medieval farmstead and a Bulls Pit, to reach the causeway of Boyne’s Lane. Cross the historic route, used by King … Continue reading Stubhampton Bottom
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 on to tracks coming from many different directions. Curve … Continue reading Hurn
From Stourhead to Hengistbury Head, the river flows for over 61 miles through the heart of Dorset. The names derives from the Old English meaning 'Strong One', providing Dorset with the lifeblood that led to its development in the form of food, water, transportation, communication and defence. Explore the landscape, all along its course, crossing … Continue reading River Stour
Starting in Holdenhurst, a village both locked and lost behind urban development, follow the River Stour towards Throop. Weave between cottages, gas lamps and modern day flats for the peace to be disturbed by Bournemouth’s busy trunk road. Return to the Stour to follow its flow to the medieval bridge of Iford. Cross over the … Continue reading Iford
Under the shadow of Melbury Beacon, follow the magical, healing springs of the Fontmell Brook. Starting at the waterfalls and lakes of Collyer’s Brook, with towering earthworks on the slopes to the east, enter into a hidden corner of the Blackmore Vale. Passing medieval fishponds and wild nature reserves, with views to Hambledon Hillfort, discover … Continue reading Fontmell Magna
