Wincanton to Mere

30th December 2014
Walking Distance 8 miles

Description

This section follows the Monarch's Way, supposedly the route taken by Charles II after losing the battle of Worcester. After parking the car in the Memorial Hall car park,  I took Ireson Lane uphill between old houses, soon reaching fine views west. Further up the lane, a footpath to the left  soon lead to some more views north with Wincanton race course to your left. Paths then lead you to a minor road near the pretty church at Charlton Musgrove, which is some distance from the actual village. Resuming the route north west takes you via Southmead and then through wooded but hilly countryside, past Ballands Castle where there was once a Norman Castle, to the pretty hilltop village of Penselwood.

From here the route continues along the Monarch's Way with good views to the south to Zeals with a nice spired church. There is the Bell and Crown pub here but was not open when I passed. Beyond this the path continues under the A303 and then past the splendid Zeals House. More good views south before the house and then west to Mere after it. You can see the Castle mound at Mere from a long way off and then pass through a complex of old greenhouses where they grow flowers, finally passing the fine Mere church before getting into the town. After a fairly long cold wait I was able to catch a bus back to Wincanton.

Map

Downloadable Trails.

Leg 4 GPX 

GPX files can downloaded and used in GPS units and Smartphone GPS apps. You can also download open it in  www.bikehike.co.uk on bing maps to view on an OS map.

Leg 4 KML 

This may open in Google maps for viewing. A down arrow on the top left of the map should allow you to download the file. You can then open it in Google Earth and do a 'flying tour'

Profile

Photos 

View to the South over Wincanton

View towards Wincanton Racecourse

Charlton Musgrove Church

Lake near Ballands Castle

Penselwood Church

Zeals House

Approaching Mere

Mere Church

Sherborne to Wincanton

22nd September 2014. Walking Distance 12.5 miles

Description

Taking Quarr lane out of Sherborne gives some good views over the town and beyond. Proceeding through pleasant woods and lanes one reaches Sherborne Golf Course where the path runs beside the green. Beyond this path leads down through woods to open farmland and Wheatsheaf Hill. Good walking along lanes and paths takes you to Charlton Horethorne with its pretty church and fine pub. You can eat at the pub or, as I did, buy some lunch at the local shop for a picnic. Quiet lanes take you from here to Maperton . The church here is worth a visit. The path to Holton is steep but has good views and the village has a pub and church worthy of investigation. From Holton the road goes under the A303 then across farmland to Wincanton from where I was able to catch a bus back to Sherborne.

Map

Downloadable Trails.

Leg 3 GPX
GPX files can downloaded and used in GPS units and Smartphone GPS apps. You can also download open it in  www.bikehike.co.uk on bing maps to view on an OS map.

Leg 3 KML
This may open in Google maps for viewing. A down arrow on the top left of the map should allow you to download the file. You can then open it in Google Earth and do a 'flying tour'

Profile

 

 Photos

View from Quarr Lane, Sherborne

Near Sherborne Golf Club

Near Corton Denham

Charlton Horethorne Church

Lane between Charlton Horethorne & Maperton

Between Maperton & Holton

Holton Church

Approaching Solar Farm near Hunger Hill

Àpproaching Wincanton

Buckland Newton to Sherborne

Buckland Newton to Sherborne

Description

25th March 2014
Walking Distance 12 Miles

The day started in Buckland Newton with bright sunny weather. The church clock struck 8 as I passed it.. After a climb to Gales Hill there one there are lovely views in several directions. Following the track west from there one gets sight of Minterne House and if you have the energy, a little way on you can climb Dogbury hill  for further great views. The lane northwest from Dogbury Gate takes one to Stonerush Drove and Higher Holnest. The ground became very muddy due to recent rains. By the time I was nearing Longburton it had started to rain so I deviated from my planned path and walked up some of the A352 but was rewarded with a good lunch at the Rose and Crown. The path from Long Burton proceeds via West Hall and Green Lane. This was a lovely section but very muddy. After crossing the A3030 that a descent down through woods via Gainsborough Hill led me into Sherborne.

 

Leg 2 GPX
GPX files can downloaded and used in GPS units and Smartphone GPS apps. You can also download open it in  www.bikehike.co.uk on bing maps to view on an OS map.


Leg 2 KML
This may open in Google maps for viewing. A down arrow on the top left of the map should allow you to download the file. You can then open it in Google Earth and do a 'flying tour'

 

Public Transport to Buckland Newton

Damory 307 Stalbridge Dorchester
Damory 368 Yeovil Sturminster Newton (via Sherborne)

Buckland Newton Church

Climb from Buckland Newton to Gales Hill

View of Minterne House

View across Blackmore Vale near Dogbury Gate on A 352

Near High Holnest

Approaching Sherborne down Gainsborough Hill

Sherborne Abbey

Okeford Hill to Buckland Newton

11th March 2014
Walking distance 11 miles.

Description

I started my walk on a rather dull day in March 2014, but nevertheless it was very enjoyable day. Starting out from Okeford Hill one gets a very good sense of where the Blackmore Vale lies from the wonderful views..There is an interesting diversion at Ringmoor where there was an Iron Age settlement has a wildlife pond. The views continued as I approached Bulbarrow Hill (the 3rd highest point in Dorset) and then from Rawlesbury camp with its large wooden cross there are further views west to the Dorsetshire Gap . One could stick to the Wessex Ridgeway all the way but I deviated for a visit to the Fox Inn at Lower Ansty for an excellent lunch before rejoining it to reach the Dorsetshire Gap which was an important junction of 5 highways in medieval times. . After Folly Farm there is a further climb to Ball Hill and then descending to Buckland Newton I was able to catch a bus to Sherborne.

Downloadable GPS Routes

Leg 1 GPX
GPX files can downloaded and used in GPS units and Smartphone GPS apps. You can also download open it in  www.bikehike.co.uk on bing maps to view on an OS map.


Leg 1 KML
This may open in Google maps for viewing. A down arrow on the top left of the map should allow you to download the file. You can then open it in Google Earth and do a 'flying tour'

Profile

Public Transport:

The 307 runs between Buckland Newton and Sturminster Newton.
The X10 goes between Sturminster Newton and Okeford Fitzpaine. There is then a 1.2 mile walk up to Okeford Hill.

Photos

View from Okeford Hill

View of Bulbarrow

Rawlesbury Camp

View of the Dorset Gap

Fox Inn at Lower Ansty

Approaching the Dorset Gap