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
Fishpond Bottom. Delve down into the deep valley of Fishpond Bottom, exploring that last corner of Dorset to emerge from the anciently wild landscape. From the peak of Lambert’s Castle, cross the ridge to skim the Iron Age ramparts of Coney’s Castle. Drop down the steep slopes to the boggy rivers that once fed the … Continue reading Fishpond Bottom
Wander along the old drove roads of hidden Dorset. Cross the single track railway as it travels from Yeovil to Weymouth under the shadow of the haunting Bubb Hill. Visit the little St Mary’s Church, with a broken gravestone of a murder victim, before following the country lanes between the oak lined fields. Skim the … Continue reading Redford
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
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
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
Circle the mighty hillfort of Ham Hill and climb to the peak of Montacute Castle, through deep holloways and thick woodland. Follow ramparts on the tips of the slopes with views across river valleys and the Somerset Levels. Cross ancient Roman roads and medieval village remains to discover the Roman crossroads haunted by a highwayman. … Continue reading Ham Hill
As small tribes farmed the Dorset landscape of the Iron Age, the political environment in the Roman Emipire was changing. Determined to expand they set their sights on Albion, forcing their way through with armed legions on newly developed roads, and renamed the country Britannia. New technologies, building practices, tools, skills, materials and beliefs were … Continue reading Roman Dorset
