FEEL THE WIND ON YOUR FACE! Steep slopes & spectacular views. Wonderful butterfly habitat RIDE 2 and birdlife, especially skylarks. Ancient barrows and medieval field systems contribute to visible archaeology. Explore the Dorset The Frome Valley Downs on the footpaths above the Cerne and Sydling valleys.
VILLAGE STROLLS Maiden Newton, Frampton & Sydling – pretty riverside villages “Water unwinds to visit. THE FAMOUS CERNE ABBAS GIANT The 180ft Giant shares the hillside above the village with Bronze old ways Age barrows and medieval field systems. One of the largest chalk figures in Britain, he is the most controversial. Is he an ancient symbol of spirituality, Roman Hercules or a fertility symbol? round our hills” With tea shops, pubs & riverside walks, Cerne Abbas is certainly worth a detour. The Frome Valley THOMAS HARDY’S HOUSES Walk in Hardy’s footsteps from his birthplace at Bockhampton to his grand house in Dorchester. Experience the heath and Following the River Frome and Sydling Water up and down their woodland which inspired his novels. nationaltrust.org.uk respective valleys and through water meadows. Look for traces DURNOVARIA OR DORCHESTER? of the Roman aqueduct which once brought water to Dorchester and Go back in time at Maiden Castle - largest hillfort in Britain which for the flash of Kingfishers, Marsh Marigolds and Brown Trout. is the size of 50 football pitches. Follow up with a trip to Dorset County Museum (Dorchester) to see the magnificent chieftains Ancient Sydling is pure Thomas Hardy Country, one of Dorset’s prettiest gold brooch or the Swanage crocodile or how the Romans lived villages. The chalk downs bring skylarks and windy open views. at The Roman Villa. Finish off with a Durnovaria Town Walk, a Ghost Walk or Ratty’s Trail – whatever takes your fancy. Be impressed by the 180ft naked figure of the Cerne Abbas Giant, make your own mind up about the popular legend! Round off KNOB THROWING IN CATTISTOCK Attractive village and interesting church. Every May, Cattistock in Dorchester with shopping for Dorset food. is home to the unique Dorset Knob Throwing Festival with Knob related games and a food festival with over 75 local food and drink producers. dorsetknobthrowing.com REMEMBER TO ALWAYS FOLLOW THE HIGHWAY CODE CHALK RIVERS Explore the secrets of the rarest habitats & streams in the are world one Trains to Trails for wildlife. There are 3 chalk & delights of Dorset AONB combined rivers, and their numerous chalk with a relaxing train trip, download RIVER FROME dorsetaonb.org.uk streams, within the Dorset AONB. Casterbridge leaflet from The river supplied water to public Hardy and to Thomas Durnovaria baths and fountains in Roman the Romans, visit Dorchester’s to Dorchester by means of an historic sites & museums. aqueduct. You can see traces visit-dorchester.co.uk
of its route at Bradford Peverell. Poetry by Val Bridge Val by Poetry Evershot
Phew MAIN: 17 MILES Broadwindsor CERNE: + 2½ MILES
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