From the depths of Thorncombe Wood discover the poet and author Thomas Hardy’s birthplace. Travel through the little village of Higher Bockhampton to Stinsford, following the footsteps of Roman soldiers. Pass numerous stately homes including Kingston Maurward, Birkin and Stinsford to meet the River Frome. Visit the memorial to Hardy at Stinsford church containing his … Continue reading Puddletown Forest, Stinsford and the River Frome
From Thomas Hardy’s Evershot, pass the source of the River Frome and a church whose tower was designed by the same man who designed Big Ben. Travel over the hills to the hidden hamlet of Rampisham and its packhorse bridge. On to Chantmarle, a stunning Elizabethan manor house with its own canal acting like moat … Continue reading Evershot to Rampisham
A hillfort is a type of earthwork once used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. Hillforts developed in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age, roughly at the start of the first millennium BC, some later used in the post-Roman period. The fortification usually … Continue reading Dorset Hill Forts
Distance – 3 miles/5 km Time – 1.5 hours Total climb - 100ft Max height - 290ft Min height - 200ft Terrain - Track, path, road and field. Exertion - Easy Start - The Crown Inn (Grid ref: ST782187, Postcode: DT10 1LN). Map - OS Explorer 129 Yeovil and Sherborne. How to get there - … Continue reading The Crown, Marnhull – Village walk
Distance: 5 miles/8kmTime: 2 hoursTotal climb: 400ft.Max height: 370ft.Min height: 100ft.Terrain: Track, path, road and field.Exertion: Easy.Start: Free parking on West Street (BH20 7HL) or the town centre car park (Postcode: BH20 7HA, Grid Reference: SY846947).Map: OS Explorer OL15 Purbeck and South DorsetHow to get there: From Poole/Bournemouth, take the A35 west. When arriving at … Continue reading Bere Regis, the Devils Stone and Shitterton
Distance: 16 miles/23km - shorter or longer routes optional (see map)Time: 3 hoursTotal climb: 400ftMax height: 300ftMin height: 160ftTerrain: Road.Exertion: Easy.Start: At The Crown Inn in Marnhull (DT10 1LH).Map: OS Explorer 129 Yeovil and Sherborne.How to get there: From Sturminster Newton, travel north on the B3092. On entering the village stay on the same road … Continue reading The Crown Inn, Marnhull Bike Ride
Distance: 4 milesTime: 2 hoursTotal climb: 570ftMax height: 860ftMin height: 330ftTerrain: Track, path, road and field.Exertion: Hard, some steep climbs.Start: Spread Eagle Hill car park (SP7 0DT).Map: OS Explorer OL118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne ChaseHow to get there: Travelling from Blandford on the top Shaftesbury road (Shaftesbury Lane), pass the turning to Ashmore and the car … Continue reading Fontmell Downs, Compton Abbas and Melbury Hill
Distance: 5.5 miles/8.5km (shorter route – 4.5 miles/7km)Time: 2.5 hoursTotal climb: 520ftMax height: 541ftMin height: 130ftTerrain: Track, path, road and field.Exertion: Medium.Start: St Marys Church, Netherbury (Grid Ref: SY470994, Postcode DT6 5ND). Please park considerately.Map: OS Explorer 116 Lyme Regis and BridportHow to get there: From Bridport, take the A3066 northwards towards Beaminster. Once through … Continue reading Netherbury, Stoke Abbott and Beaminster
