Friday, February 02, 2007
Pentridge and Martin Down
The hamlet of Pentridge is just off the Blandford/Salisbury road and an easy half hour drive north from Wimborne. It lies at the foot of Pentridge Hill with Penbury Knoll (606 feet) at its highest part. This is wonderful rolling downland country and you can walk via numerous paths up to the Knoll and on to Martin Down which is managed by English Nature. In the Spring this is a mass of wild flowers but it is great walking country in any season, and the birdwatcher should always have binoculars at the ready. Yesterday was a grey day so I foolishly left the binocs at home, a decision very soon regretted as there were hares to be seen frequently and one of my fellow walkers insisted he has seen them performing the Mad March Hare routine. On February 1st?? It's been a strange old Winter!
This is also a very historic area. You can include in your walk a stretch of Ackling Dyke, the Roman Road from Badbury Rings to Old Sarum, or take in a length of Bokerley Dyke built to repel the Saxon invaders! The Knoll at Penbury was fortified thousands of years ago, and if you look closely at the photo of us lunching, you can just see the lines of the ramparts (R. of centre of the picture). Park by the Church in Pentridge and soak in the atmosphere of times long past. This is a beautiful place to which one can return constantly. Take a picnic; there is neither shop nor pub!
This is also a very historic area. You can include in your walk a stretch of Ackling Dyke, the Roman Road from Badbury Rings to Old Sarum, or take in a length of Bokerley Dyke built to repel the Saxon invaders! The Knoll at Penbury was fortified thousands of years ago, and if you look closely at the photo of us lunching, you can just see the lines of the ramparts (R. of centre of the picture). Park by the Church in Pentridge and soak in the atmosphere of times long past. This is a beautiful place to which one can return constantly. Take a picnic; there is neither shop nor pub!
The Stour Valley Way. Stage 3
Spetisbury to Durweston.
Dave and I have had our critics for attempting this river walk in the Winter but nothing daunted we picked up our track at Crawford Bridge on a beautiful January morning (see photo) and headed up to Spetisbury Rings, one of the many such ancient hill forts in Dorset, the most celebrated being Maiden Castle in Dorchester. Spetisbury is not on the same scale but it is little visited and there are great views in every direction from the trig point at the summit. The Stour wends its way peacefully onwards far below, and it is a while before we meet it again. The route takes us into Blandford St. Mary passing the heartening sight of the Hall and Woodhouse Brewery 'est. 1778 Badger Beers' on the right! An opportunity for a tasting appears a few yards later and we enjoyed our first visit to the Stour Inn, an unassuming and little changed Dorset pub which, we were pleased to see, was frequented by the besuited executives from the brewery just yards away! A recommendation indeed! So reinvigorated by the pint of Badger best and the most glorious January weather, we walked the perimeter wall of the Bryanston Estate, through the original Bryanston village and down through 'The Hanging'.................which we learn is the common name for a beech wood on the edge of a scarp! The things we learn when walking! A word of praise here for the publication 'The Original Stour Valley Path' by Edward Griffiths which guides us on our way. It is full of information, interest and conspicuous affection for its subject. Buy it and enjoy the Stour Valley!
Dave and I have had our critics for attempting this river walk in the Winter but nothing daunted we picked up our track at Crawford Bridge on a beautiful January morning (see photo) and headed up to Spetisbury Rings, one of the many such ancient hill forts in Dorset, the most celebrated being Maiden Castle in Dorchester. Spetisbury is not on the same scale but it is little visited and there are great views in every direction from the trig point at the summit. The Stour wends its way peacefully onwards far below, and it is a while before we meet it again. The route takes us into Blandford St. Mary passing the heartening sight of the Hall and Woodhouse Brewery 'est. 1778 Badger Beers' on the right! An opportunity for a tasting appears a few yards later and we enjoyed our first visit to the Stour Inn, an unassuming and little changed Dorset pub which, we were pleased to see, was frequented by the besuited executives from the brewery just yards away! A recommendation indeed! So reinvigorated by the pint of Badger best and the most glorious January weather, we walked the perimeter wall of the Bryanston Estate, through the original Bryanston village and down through 'The Hanging'.................which we learn is the common name for a beech wood on the edge of a scarp! The things we learn when walking! A word of praise here for the publication 'The Original Stour Valley Path' by Edward Griffiths which guides us on our way. It is full of information, interest and conspicuous affection for its subject. Buy it and enjoy the Stour Valley!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Studland Beach
Jan.23rd 07This is a great walk! Leave your car at the chain ferry (on the Sandbanks side if you can find a free space) or if not, come over on the ferry ........£2.80 return last week.......and park in the ferry car park. Then take to the beach; if you stride out, you will make it to the National Trust shop in just under an hour. In January you will have the world to yourself but you may see some exciting birds; the wind will whet your appetite and the views are ever changing. In Summer you will not be alone, but Studland Beach is never crowded and in the area reserved for naturists, you may see sights which will amuse the children! The National Trust shop/cafe is open throughout the year and the rustic fare on offer is just the ticket after your bracing walk. If you want to walk on to the headland and Old Harry Rocks, you are bound to pass the Banks Armes with its own microbrewery, and I recommend you try a pint of Fossil Fuel, or IPA which in this establishment is 'Isle of Purbeck' ale. It's another hour's walk to Old Harry and its majestic cliffs and a chance to see the Barfleur as it plies its daily voyage from Poole to Cherbourg 60 odd miles away. You might also see a peregrine but I've never been lucky. This is a wonderful walk in any weather. A word of caution; the ferry is busy in the Summer, and I suspect that the Banks Arms sells quite a few barrels!
