Dorset - Walking or Cycling Paradise

Date : July 9, 2021 Author : Terri Rose Source : Article - Dorset AONB. Image - Wild flowers line the North Dorset Trailway (C) Graham Rains

The North Dorset Trailway runs along a flat, surfaced three-metre wide track making it the ideal safe place for walkers, runners, cyclists, dogs, prams and mobility scooters.

From Whataview CL, it is an easy walk or cycle to the start or if you prefer to drive, there is the Station Road car park for your convenience.


The trailway is ideal for all levels of walkers. Take a short walk with the family, a stroll with the dogs or a long hike – there are plenty of access sites onto the trailway, safe crossing points, no stiles and no traffic.


For cyclists the Trailway provides a link to many rural roads, which allows cycling for miles, virtually traffic free, whilst enjoying the Dorset countryside. This Circular Mountain bike ride incorporates The North Dorset Trailway, Stourpaine and Blandford Forest.


The trailway runs along the route of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway line, which closed to traffic in 1966 and links many of North Dorset's pretty towns and villages taking in the superb views of Hambledon Hill, and following the course of the meandering River Stour.


Places of interest along the trailway include:


  • In Sturminster Newton the restored water mill is in a beautiful setting on the Stour next to the A357 and dates from the 1600’s. This is the landscape that internationally renowned poet and novelist Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) used time and time again as a backdrop for his tales of love and tragedy.
  • Fiddleford Manor English Heritage site (DT10 2BX off A357) has free parking close to the Trailway and the Manor is an amazing mediaeval building.
  • Shillingstone Station – discover the history of the railway line at this restored station which has a museum and cafe (not open everyday).
  • Blandford – explore the Town Museum, Fashion Museum; visit the historic church and fine Georgian buildings.
  • Spetisbury – explore and picnic at the Old Station site. Take the public footpath to Spetisbury Rings, an ancient British camp close by.

There are also links to the Stour Valley Way, The Wessex Ridgeway, The Jubilee Trail, and Hod and Hambledon Hills. Open Access land and nature reserves and woods such as Piddles Wood and Blandford Forest are within easy walking distance.

If all this walking, cycling and exploring has made you hungry and thirsty, there are lots of places for refreshments en route: Poets Corner Cafe, Sturminster Newton; Fiddleford Inn, Fiddleford; Shillingstone Station; The Old Ox, Shillingstone; and the White Horse Inn, Stourpaine.


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