Walks

A May Day Walk - by Rebecca Montague

Rebecca provides us with a wonderful circular walk whilst offering us lots of information on the flora and fauna along the route. Take in a pub lunch at The Dove in Corton and admire the stunning scenery and in particular the bluebells coming out at this time of year. Thank you Rebecca for your contribution. The full details are available for download below.

Walk Information: Hindon to the Wylye Valley and back
Walk length 17 miles or 27 Kilometres
Time to allow: 5 hours or 7 hours with lunch
Facilities: The Dove, Corton
Walk Start: The High Street, Hindon
Parking: Roadside Hindon
Terrain: Footpath and bridleway, sturdy footwear recommended

A selection of walks around Tisbury

An historic landscape walk, with various options, through woods, lakes, and castles. The walk takes in footpaths, a recreational trail and Forestry Commission permissive land. This walk is courtesy of Countryside Access part of Natural England.

Length of walk: Varied allow at least 2 hours at a leisurely pace
Ordnance Survey map: Landranger 184 (Grid reference: ST 945 290)

A Walk via the Norman Church and over the water beds in Southern Damerham – Recommended by Nicky Matthews AONB Team

Map – Explorer 118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase.
Grid Reference: SU 108 154
Approx distance 2.5 miles.
Time 45 minutes.


A tranquil walk which based around a village setting is ideally suitable at all times of year although it can be fairly muddy and wet in winter. With an easy going terrain, approx 4 stiles, pleasant stop offs around the fishing lakes and the 12th century Church of St George (Grade 1). The churchyard is particularly recommended for the snowdrops in the spring which are in abundance in the Church grounds. Afterwards why not have a pint or meal in the village public house (Compasses Inn).

Circular walk around Dinton

A gentle circular walk that takes in a variety of landscapes typical of the Wiltshire countryside. Good views and interesting local history. This walk is courtesy of Countryside Access part of Natural England.

Length of walk: 8.5km, allow 2 1/2 hours
Ordnance Survey map: Explorer 130/
Landranger 184 (Grid reference: SU 009 315)

Coombe Bissett Down

A hidden chalk downland valley (coombe), south west of Salisbury. Coombe Bissett Down is notable for its fantastic landscape, with archaelogical features include strip lynchetts (ancient field systems). In summer, the steep slopes of the coombe are ablaze with flowers and butterflies in the summer.

Garston Wood Circular Walk - Recommended by Margaret Webb of Fovant

An easy walk perfect for a hot summer’s day as much of the route is through woods part of the ancient Cranborne Chase. Some of the paths could be muddy in winter. There are three stiles and two short uphill stretches along the approximately six miles route. Garston Wood is a RSPB reserve and is an ancient coppiced wood especially worth visiting in the spring when there is a carpet of bluebells, wood anemones and primroses. You may see many woodland birds in the reserve.

Map – Explorer 118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase.
Gird Ref - SU005194

Middleton Down Broad Chalke

Flowers, butterflies and a wonderful landscape sum up Middleton Down. In early May the slopes are covered with hundreds of cowslips and early purple orchids. In summer the chalk downland is alive with colour (flowers and butterflies) and sounds (grasshoppers and skylarks).

Wildlife found here: Flowers such as early gentian, early purple orchid, autumn lady’s-tresses, dwarf sedge. Butterflies including the rare Adonis blue, grizzled and dingy skippers. Buzzard, sparrowhawk and skylark.

Best time to visit: Any time of the year

Location: To the south of the village of Broad Chalke, eight miles west of Salisbury, the reserve can be approached on foot from Broad Chalke via Church Bottom track, a valley which runs south from the village. Start at grid reference SU 043 252 and walk for 1 mile. The reserve entrance (kissing gates) will appear on your right.

Oyster's Coppice

Atmospheric ancient woodland close to the Dorset border. Woodland slopes, with drier parts covered with oak, ash and bracken and wetter parts with ash, alder and ferns.

Project Fred

Based on the edge of the AONB this small family business runs a host of guided walks in the south west together with a number in the AONB. Run by Simon Curson BSc, a trained ecologist with 10 years experience in teaching wildlife and leading guided walks.

Contact: www.projectfred.co.uk
Telephone: 01425 673321

Stour Valley Trail - Stourhead to Christchurch

The Stour Valley Way is a 64-mile long-distance walk that follows the River Stour from the sea as Christchurch to its source at Stourhead. It is known for its excellent river wildlife and roman ruins including Dudsbury Hill Fort. Several miles of this crosses the AONB coming through the village of Stourton and then flowing through to Gillingham.

The Dorset Cursus

The Dorset Cursus is one of the County’s most famous prehistoric monuments. It runs from Bokerly Dyke to Thickthorn Down, crossing Ackling Dyke at Old Sarum. To the north of Pentridge it appears as 2 parallel banks stretching for 6 miles, 4 miles of which are well preserved and make a delightful walk across the Chase. Both banks are flanked with barrows suggesting it may have been a ceremonial route to a more important long barrow. If you have further information on this site please be kind enough to let us know.

The Jubilee Trail

This is a newer trail from Forde Abbey to Bokerley Dyke 145km/90 miles. A winding route across the county from west to east, avoiding the most popular paths to seek out quiet villages and views of rolling downs and secret valleys.

The Trail was originally created by local Ramblers to celebrate the Association's 60th anniversary in 1995 and is supported by Dorset council. See: www.ramblers.org.uk

The Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society

Formed in 1974 to protect the interests of users of public paths by ensuring (a) their reasonable maintenance and freedom from obstruction and (b) their adequate signposting and waymarking. It aims to urge local authorities to discharge their responsibilities with regard to public paths and seeks to foster and maintain friendly cooperation between path users, landowners, local authorities and the community generally.

The Wessex Ridgeway

Part of the ancient trade highway, winding it's way from Marlborough, Wiltshire to Lyme Regis, via some of the most spectacular scenery in Dorset. This includes AShmore, Dorset's highest village, Bulbarrow and Hambledon Hill.

Walk Around Old and New Wardour Castles - Recommended by Margaret Webb of Fovant

An easy and pleasant circular walk with beautiful views across the Vale of Wardour. There are two easy, short uphill stretches. Some parts of the path could be muddy in winter. To complete the day out visit Old Wardour Castle, managed by English Heritage, which is very interesting. There are 12 stiles along the approximately three and half mile route.

Map – Explorer 118 Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase
Grid Ref - ST934268