Shroton to Okeford Hill

29th December 2015. 

Walking Distance 7.6 miles

Description


The route is shorter than some but involves climbing Hambledon Hill, Hod Hill and Okeford Hill.

Starting from Shroton you climb Hambledon Hill along a track to reach the triangulation point. Hear you can see the main earthworks of Hambledon Hill to the right and Okefod Hill straight ahead. We take the left path which leads to a barn where you turn left down a steep path to reach the Child Okeford Road.

Crossing the road you then climb Hod Hill taking the path leading to the right about half way up. This leads you to the 'entrance' to the earthworks which you can follow round until you meet the path which leads down to Stourpaine at the opposite corner.

At the bottom of the path there is a pretty stream which you can follow to the village and get a good lunch at the White Horse. Past the church a footpath leads under the old railway line and then over the River Stour to Durweston Mill. From here a minor road leads up to the village of Durweston.

On the other side of the main road a footpath leads up through fields and woods to The Folly farm. Soon after that a track leads left into Blandford Forest and there a number of paths that will take you back to Okeford Hill.

Public Transport

The X10 runs between Okeford Fitzpaine and Blandford. The X9 runs between Blandford and Shroton.

Map

Downloadable Trails.

Leg 8 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 8 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

Looking back to Shroton from Hambledon Hill

Earthworks on Hamledon Hill with The Blackmore Vale beyond.

Looking across the Blackmore Vale. Hamledon Hill on the right and Okeford Hill on the Left

Hod Hill

Track leading down from Hambledon Hill

Earthworks on Hod Hill

Stream by the path to Stoupaine

Stourpaine Chrch

Railway Bridge between Stourpaine & Durweston

Durweston Mill

Pony sunk up to its knees in a field near Durweston ;-)

Path up from Durweston towards Okeford

View SE from clearing in Shillingstone Forest.

View from Okeford Hill

End of the Hike

Ludwell to Shroton

12th October 2015. Walking Distance 13 miles

Description

From Ludwell a path opposite The Grove Arms leads south beside a watercress farm. Heading SE I gradually climbed up to Win Green with its glorious view in every direction but particularly north. From here you can continue on the Wessex Ridgeway to Tollard Royal but I chose the slightly longer Ox Drove route as it is higher and gives better views, particularly of the fine Ferne House, which despite appearances is quite modern. At Tollard Royal I stopped by the duck pond for a picnic lunch in some wonderful October sun, and then stopped for a beer at The King John. From here the path climbs out of the village and makes its way west to Ashmore with its pretty village pond. After this a good path leads south to Ashmore Wood and then West eventually to Shroton (Iwerne Minster) where you can always call in at The Cricketers

Public Transport

Damory 27 and 29 go between Shaftesbury and Ludwell, while the X9 goes between Shroton and Shaftesbury.

Map

Downloadable Trails.

Leg 7 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 7 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

Heading south from Ludwell

Approaching Win Green from Ludwell

View East from bear Win Green

Trig point showing distances and directions at Win Green

Ferne House from Ox Drove near Win Grren

Following the Ox Drove to Tollard Royal

Tollard Royal

Ashmore

Ashmore Wood

Approaching Shroton from Preston Hill

Hindon to Ludwell

22nd June 2015
Walking Distance 10 miles

Description

Starting out on the East Knoyle road you soon reach the Wessex Ridgeway forking left. After a short climb there are fine fiews and one descends though wood and fields eventually to the hamlet of Newtown. Heading SE you pass New Wardour Castle gates and eventually reach the lovely ruin of 15th century Wardour Old Castle with its lakes. This area is well worth exploring if you have the time

Heading SW along a pleasant track one gets good views of the new Wardour Castle built in 1776 across the valley. You pass the village of Donhead St Andrew with its 12th century church and (I'm told) excellent pub, The Forester. From here it's a couple of miles walk, mainly along tracks to Ludwell.

Public Transport

One of the few options now seems to be to park at Ludwell near St John's church and then take a No 27 to Burcombe followed by a No 25 to Hindon. This takes about 1.5 hours.

Map

Downloadable Trails.

Leg 6 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 6 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

Starting Out on the Wessex Ridgeway

Near Summerelaze Hill

Gates of Wardour New castle

Wardour New castle

Lovely Diplay of Valerian

Wardour Old Castle

Castle from the other side

Going SW from the Castle

Swans on Pale Park Pond

Mere to Hindon

21st March 2015
Walking Distance : 7 miles

 

Description

Having parked my car in Mere I walked south along Pettridge Lane, over a small bridge and then immediately left down Mill Lane. This lead down to a footpath which more or less follows Ashfield Water stream to a pretty converted Watermill at Burton. I then took the road south along Southbrook Lane and once past all buildings, the Monarch's Way foot path crosses the road and you turn left. A pleasant path takes you through fields and woods to Charnage and a short straight section of road. At the T junction at the end the footpath resumes and  carries on to West Knoyle. The church here was pleasant but locked. Just past the church the path resumes through the pheasant farm and the climbs quite steeply through woods eventually giving good views across the vale to the south and then further views west. At Chapel Farm a short section of road going north leads to a track heading due East (unmarked). This continues across the busy A350 and more good views east and then takes you on to Hindon (though there seems to be a diversion from older maps near the end). Here I enjoyed lunch at the Angel Inn before catching the bus back to Mere.

Map

Downloadable Trails. 

Leg 5 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 5 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

Old Watermill at Burton

West Knoyle Church

Blackthorn

Welcome to Hindon