Tess of the Vale has grown into a library of more than 375 adventures. Miles of footpaths, bridleways, byways and permissive tracks across the countryside have been recorded, with, as of September 2026 - all parishes complete. Yet the 'project' is still far from finished. Even if every parish is ticked off, there will always … Continue reading Dorset Parish List
The Big Map of Dorset is a hand drawn, to scale map of the whole county. It is drawn using pen and pencil onto four separate canvases, adding up to a total size of approximately 2 metres by 2 metres. The map records only a simple selection of earthworks, woodland, water, roads, tracks and settlement. … Continue reading The Big Map of Dorset
A collection of tales and mysteries about tragedy and despair; the lives of people that have left their everlasting mark on the landscape, now hidden amongst brambles, whispered in the wind or sparkling in the shadows. From country houses to isolated beaches, lonely roads to hidden earthworks, the county of Dorset is full of ruins … Continue reading The Haunted Landscape of Dorset
Starting in the smallest town in Dorset, buried in the Blackmore Vale, the settlement of Stalbridge has a selection of historical aspects which have influenced the rest of the country. Explore the landscape to discover the ancient Stalbridge Park, now surrounded by a 4 mile crumbling stone wall. The imposing, but lost, manor of Stalbridge … Continue reading Stalbridge
From the depths of Thorncombe Woods 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 typical Dorset village of Evershot, discover the source of the River Frome. Pass the parish church whose tower was designed by the same man who designed the Elizabeth Tower - home to Big Ben. Travel over the hills to the hidden hamlet of Rampisham and its secret packhorse bridge. Walk on to … 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 Hillforts
Hall and woodhouse series 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 … Continue reading The Crown, Marnhull – Village walk
