Last week, David & I (Emma) went to check one of our routes in Dorset. This was the first time I had walked this particular trail and I was expecting good things. But what I found exceeded that: stunning landscapes and the textbook definition of a rural idyll.
We started in a beautiful village in the heart of Thomas Hardy country that dates back to pre-Norman times. We made our way down the picturesque high street bordered by beautiful honey-coloured stone cottages (including an independent village shop and a bakery).
Following our trusty trail guide, we walked out of the village and into fields and quiet lanes. Our route took us along a ridge that offered up magnificent views across the patchwork of fields and hedgerows so typical of this corner of Dorset.
Wherever we walked, the verges and hedgerows were full of colourful spring flowers: daffodils, snowdrops, primroses and celandine bringing welcome splashes of colour. The first blossoms looked spectacular in the sunshine—bright pink cherry blossoms and delicate white blackthorn blooms. The birdsong was wonderful to hear: robins, wrens, blackbirds and more busily singing and flitting between branches. There really was a sense of the countryside coming back to life after the winter.
Our route took us to a tiny village dating back to Saxon times. Nestled at the end of a no-through road, this village has a delectably remote feeling, far removed from the modern world. After visiting the 12th century church we sat on two benches outside the churchyard for a while in silence, just enjoying the peace and quiet and the warmth of the spring sunshine.
We continued on our way, through fields of sheep and following an old footpath next to a stream before arriving at the next village nestled in the valley. Another place far from any tourist hot spots but full of rural charm, and with a pretty 15th century inn, providing the perfect opportunity for some rest and refreshments.
We climbed out of the village and into another spectacular view, this time of a lush green valley that gently climbed to the top of the ridge. From this vantage point, we had breathtaking views over the Dorset countryside. The gently rolling landscape stretched off into the distance in all directions, with hardly any signs of settlements or modern day life. It genuinely felt like we were a million miles from the modern world.
We walked on into the view, our route taking us down into the valley and along fields into the our destination – a charming town full of characterful cottages, independent shops and inns. Bustling but by no means overcrowded, this was a lovely place to end our walk. We had walked around 11 miles through the glorious Dorset countryside (a shorter 9-mile version is also available).
If you’d like to know more about hiking this idyllic corner of south west England, visit our trip page or send us an email. We’d love to tell you more.
