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Hosted By:

Chris Pole

Walk Description:

From The Old Parlour carpark we will take a short river section to start our walk, then over a bridge 

crossing the beautiful river Stour which flows for over 61 miles through the heart of Dorset. 

Climbing up to the North Dorset Trailway we will take narrow steep paths up to the Spetisbury Rings to 

enjoy the beautiful views over the village of Spetisbury and the floodplain of the Stour valley.

Spetisbury Rings are an Iron age fortification with a single rampart and ditch.

It was a stronghold of the Ionia people before the Romans came along. 

On excavation it was discovered that Romans and Britons lay side by side by in graves.

This discovery was made during the construction of the Somerset and Dorsest railway in 1857 of around 

120 skeletons. They could have been victims of the Roman invasion.

Spetisbury Station was opened in 1860 but due to economy measures was closed in 1956. Then the

whole railway was closed to passengers in 1966 as part of the Beeching Axe.

There are more great views in every direction on this walk. Following bridle ways and past the solar farm

and Gorcombe Extreme Sports centre we get onto the second part of the walk

This takes us through woodland until we reach a quiet road downhill to Charlton Marshall.

Back onto the trailway where there is an interesting history board about the railway which first opened in

1928. It was used for Clayesmore Preparatory school until 1963.

Two carriages from Waterloo ran to Charlton Marshall at the begining and end of school term.

Within the parish boundary there is evidence of human habitation for at least a thousand years.

Then a level walk back along the trailway and a welcome cup of coffee at The Old Parlour.

Park in the free carpark which as you approach towards Blandford is at the end of the very long village

on the right. This used to be called Marcia's farm and The Shack but changed hands.

They serve bar drinks, excellent coffee, brownies and homemade cake. Also sausage rolls and scotch

eggs. All the food is locally made. Toilets in the pub. (The ones in the yard are closed.)

They have themed food/music nights with a food truck outside at weekends.

Around 8.5 miles. Plenty of time is allowed for this walk to make the most of the scenery and takes

about 3.5 hours. (In winter months this walk is altered to take acount of mud and flooding.)

I have re routed this walk slightly to avoid one of the hills and taken out some of the road walking for

those who know this route.

Location Notes:

The turning into Clapcotts Farm is opposite Spetisbury Primary School. It is at the far end of the village if you are coming from Wimborne on the right hand side on A350. There is a large car park. (CP)