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
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
The life of William Barnes in the Dorset landscape (22 February 1801 – 7 October 1886) The farmer’s boy, who grew up in the countryside, is undeservedly overshadowed by the more famous Thomas Hardy, but there would be no Hardy without Barnes. The poet, writer, inventor, artist, mathematician and priest was born in 1801 at … Continue reading William Barnes
Dorset’s rich heritage is illustrated through archaeological discoveries and artefacts from prehistoric to modern times. Significant findings include Neolithic axes, Roman mosaics, and Viking burials. Museums such as the Dorset Museum and the British Museum preserve these treasures, showcasing the region’s diverse historical narratives spanning thousands of years. Below is a growing collection — all … Continue reading Dorset Treasure
Explore the wild and untamed heart of the Blackmore Vale. Find ancient oaks that once filled the landscape with forest. Follow the footsteps of medieval hunters, while on the pursuit for the famous King’s Stag, to uncover the legend living on in the village name. Pass manor houses, sitting high on the river banks looking … Continue reading Stock Gaylard, King’s Stag and Lydlinch
Starting at a hidden Church in the little village of Netherbury, cross fields and streams to Stoke Abbott, with its medieval lion fountain and ghosts of a travelling coach and horses. Pass the Roman remains on Waddon Hill to the peak of Gerrard’s Hill, home to an elusive black cat and views out to sea. … Continue reading Netherbury, Stoke Abbott and Beaminster
From the Swan Inn wander through the town and down to the River Stour. Cross the water via Colber Bridge, a Victorian remnant of earlier life, to meet another old bridge that once carried the trains from Bath to Bournemouth. Explore the landscape of two Dorset Poets - William Barnes and Thomas Hardy. Both characters … Continue reading The Swan, Sturminster Newton
