Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected]
England: Dorset – 6 nights Dorset - In the footsteps of Thomas Hardy
https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/england-dorset/england-dorset-6-nights/
Route Summary
At a glance
6 nights (5 days walking). Extra nights possible at all accommodation.
Dog-friendly with alternative accommodations.
How much walking?
Full days: 18-24km per day, 5-7 hrs walking Using shortening options: 12-18km per day, 3-5 hrs (using lifts)
Max. Grade:
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Dorset in style! Our route discovers the Wessex that Thomas Hardy knew and loved so well.
Following an overnight stay in the beautiful cathedral city of Salisbury, and a short train ride to quiet Tisbury, the walk winds west past the romantic ruins of Old Wardour Castle (English Heritage) and then on to the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury. The following day, after exploring the independent shops and eateries (not missing famous Gold Hill) a short transfer will take you to the village of Winterbourne Stickland. From here, you walk towards the south coast, exploring Dorset, one of England’s most beautiful counties, happening on quintessentially English villages and staying in some fascinating Hardy-esque inns.
Walk through the ‘new village’ of Milton Abbas with its rows of beautiful thatched cottages; through remote Bingham’s Melcombe and then Melcombe Bingham (yes, really) to idyllic Plush. A visit to the always-ready Cerne Abbas giant and then a night at Hardy’s Sow and Acorn Inn in Evershot is followed by a ramble over rolling hills to the bustling town of Bridport. Your last day is spent exploring the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site, and enjoying the views from high up on Golden Cap, all the way to journey’s end, the fishing village of Lyme Regis. Hunt for fossils on the beach and walk along the Cobb (à la The French Lieutenant’s Woman), before feasting on a well-earned celebratory supper.
Dogs: this version is suitable for small or medium sized dogs subject to accommodation changes in Salisbury, Shaftesbury and Lyme Regis. Supplements apply (see “prices”).
Route Highlights
● The cathedral city of Salisbury with its stunning cathedral, home to the tallest spire in the UK. Take the ‘Tower Tour’ to see it up close! ● Old Wardour Castle (filming location Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) ● Shaftesbury – a Saxon hilltop town, and Gold Hill (remember the boy and the bike, from the Hovis advert?!) ● The imposing Cerne Abbas Giant – supposedly Saxon era hillside chalk figure ● Mapperton House and Gardens, used in the 2015 Far from the Madding Crowd film ● Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, Golden Cap and Lyme Regis – unofficial UK capital of fossil hunting! ● Idyllic rolling and unspoilt countryside with constant Thomas Hardy references. Don’t be surprised to see Tess walking forlornly in the distance… ● Quintessential English villages and inns with a great variety of food from hearty English fare in Plush to the more sophisticated offerings in Evershot.
We Recommend
An extra night in Lyme Regis is strongly recommended as this intriguing seaside town has so much to offer - it is also home to some of the finest accommodation on the route. Also consider an extra day to relax and explore the local countryside at Thomas Hardy's "Sow and Acorn" in Evershot; a good mid-point to break up the walk and lots of local free-walking to do.
page 2/9 Grading
Full days: 18-24km per day, 5-7 hrs walking Using shortening options: 12-18km per day, 3-5 hrs (using lifts) Some smaller footpaths are used, mostly signed, though some not - careful attention to note details needed. Excellent maps. Basic compass skills essential.
Medium: Average CUSs per day 445m (320-640m, using shortening options 350m (250m-430m). Note: Coastal option on Day 6 - 750m.
GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go
The best months to walk: May, June, July, September, October
Other possible months: March, April, August, November
This walk is best in spring and autumn, but beware of shorter days at the beginning and end of the season, when it may also be rather wet and muddy! In August it may be hard for us to secure accommodation.
Important: our accommodation in Evershot and Lyme Regis are unlikely to accept a one night stay on a Friday or Saturday. Please consider this when selecting your holiday start date, or ask us for advice.
Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Salisbury
Visit the Cathedral and Close, enjoy the shops and have a meal in one of the city's pubs and restaurants.
Day 2 - Salisbury to Shaftesbury
After a short train ride to Tisbury, a gentle ramble through river valleys, past the ruins of Old Wardour Castle, and via villages and parkland to the hilltop town of Shaftesbury. Dine at a choice of pubs and restaurants. (Medium: 4¼ hrs, 15km, CUSs 350m)
page 3/9 Day 3 - Winterbourne Stickland to Plush
A veritable feast of a day for connoisseurs of Thomas Hardy, country churches, and the English landscape at its best. First a short transfer (included) to much-photographed Milton Abbas complete with ancient abbey. Then walk through picturesque Dorset countryside, discover the church at Hilton and feudal and almost inaccessible Bingham's Melcombe (more Hardy), before heading for the heights at the Dorset Gap and supper and overnight at the perfect thatched pub. (Medium: 5¼ hrs, 18km, CUSs 455m, or easy-medium: 4 hrs, 14km, CUSs 315m using lift at start)
Day 4 - Plush to Evershot
A switchback day of five valleys and four ridges, taking in lunch at pretty Cerne Abbas, famous for its virile giant carved in the chalk. Then a lovely walk up through Cerne Park and over to the Sydling valley, remote and agricultural, and to the next - Frome St Quentin and its old church, before finally reaching Evershot, and staying in Hardy's old "Sow and Acorn". (Medium-hard: 7 hrs, 22km, CUSs 640m, or medium: 4 hrs, 14km, CUSs 400m using lift at start)
Day 5 - Evershot to Bridport
This beautiful and easier walk takes in some gorgeous countryside - ancient lanes, former parkland, a country house garden and a watermill. Garden lovers should visit Mapperton; take tea at the Mill at Mangerton, and the final walk into Bridport will surprise you in its tranquillity. At journey's end, explore Georgian Bridport too. ( Medium: 5¼ hrs, 20km, CUS 320m or easy-medium: 4¾ hrs, 17km, CUSs 255m using lift at start)
Day 6 - Bridport to Lyme Regis
A day of two options - either join the South West Coast Path at West Bay and enjoy an undulating (!) walk with fabulous views along the Jurassic Coast (Medium-hard: 18km, 5¼ hrs, CUSs 750m) or continue your treat of unspoilt Dorset countryside, villages and churches, with lunch at Whitchurch Canonicorum before joining the end of the Wessex Ridgeway as it snakes its way craftily through Lyme's back door. (Medium-hard: 6 hrs, 21km, 430m)
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best “local” airport is either Bournemouth, Southampton or Bristol. Intercontinental flights use London Heathrow or London Gatwick.
Land by: 16:00 for public transport connections to Salisbury (c. 2 hrs).
Return flight earliest: 12:00 for public transport connections from Axminster (c. 3 hrs)
In view of the large number of suitable airports in the south of England, if your inward flight lands after 16:00 or your return flight takes off before 12:00, please contact us for transfer advice.
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
page 4/9 See “Getting to the start of the walk” below for transfer information
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station:
Start: Salisbury
Finish: Axminster
ARRIVING BY CAR
Either leave your car at the end in Lyme Regis (Charmouth Road public car park – £6 per day), then bus or taxi to Axminster station for train back to Salisbury, or park in Salisbury central car park (£9 per day) and train back at end.
Getting to the start of the walk
The first hotel is in the medieval city of Salisbury and the last in Lyme Regis, a lovely old fishing village. Transfer times and methods are suggestions from London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports, but if you arrive at either Bristol, Bournemouth or Southampton airports, then transfer times will be shorter in most cases.
LONDON GATWICK
Outward: Train to Salisbury (2½ hrs) then short walk or local taxi to first hotel
Return: Bus or local taxi to Axminster, then train to London Gatwick (c.3½ hrs)
LONDON HEATHROW
Outward: Bus then train to Salisbury (c.2½ hrs) then short walk or local taxi to first hotel
Return: Bus or local taxi to Axminster, train to Woking then bus to Heathrow (c.3½ hrs)
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
page 5/9 Where You'll Stay
An historic inn with ‘Constable’ views in Salisbury sets the scene for the accommodation along this route, which varies from small-and-friendly B&Bs and picturesque pubs to a newly-renovated townhouse hotel in Lyme, with surprisingly spacious rooms.
Upgrade hotels available in Bridport and Lyme. Accommodation in Evershot and Lyme Regis require a 2 night minimum stay at weekends (Fri/Sat nights).
Please note: walkers bringing dogs may not be able to do all route versions (check the tabs at the top of the screen) or have the same choice of accommodation. For this version, walkers with dogs require upgrade rooms/accommodation in Salisbury, Shaftesbury and Lyme Regis. Supplements will apply (see “prices” tab).
Night 1 Salisbury – Wyndham Park Lodge (B&B)
A warm welcoming B&B in a large Victorian house, close to the town centre.
Night 2 Shaftesbury – La Fleur de Lys (B&B)
Stylish restaurant with rooms.
Night 3 Plush – The Brace of Pheasants (B&B)
Lovely thatched country inn in tiny hamlet.
page 6/9 Night 4 Evershot – The Acorn (B&B)
Traditional hotel with Hardy connections. Small rooms but full of character. 2 night min. stay on weekends.
Night 5 Bridport – The Bridge House Hotel (B&B)
Well appointed family-run hotel with excellent facilities. Rooms are thoughtfully furnished, welcoming and comfortable.
Night 6 Lyme Regis – Lyme Townhouse (B&B)
Compact contemporary rooms in a Grade II listed building, close to the center of Lyme Regis. 2 night min. stay on weekends.
Night 6(Upgrade) Lyme Regis – The Rock Point Inn (B&B)
Charming seafront accommodation with popular restaurant.
page 7/9 Alternative accommodation Bridport There are many wonderful places to stay in Bridport and we have selected our favourites above. We also use…
The Tiger Inn The Tiger Inn is an atmospheric and lively pub in the centre of town. We usually use the rooms on the third floor which are well protected against noise from the bar below.
Lyme Regis Lyme Regis has some excellent places to stay but can fill up quickly on weekends and holidays. In the event that our usual accommodation is full, we also use…
Lyme Townhouse On a quiet street on the edge of town, Lyme Townhouse offers comfortable, well appointed rooms. It is worth upgrading to one of their larger rooms as the standard rooms can be slightly snug. A supplement may be payable for this hotel.
Prices
Price: £790
Total 6 nights in double/twin room, 6 breakfasts, short transfer at the start of Day 3 and luggage transfers from Tisbury to Lyme Regis; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £295 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £170 Large party saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £25 per person Maximum party size: please enquire
Please note that weekend stays (Fri and Sat nights) in Evershot and Lyme Regis may be subject to a minimum 2 night stay and a supplement.
Dogs: As only certain accommodation accepts dogs, the nights in Salisbury, Shaftesbury and Lyme Regis are at alternative/upgrade accommodation so please allow an extra cost of £25 per person plus a dog supplement of around £10 per dog per night.
page 8/9 Add Ons
Extra nights in any hotel along the route: Contact On Foot Holidays (seasonal pricing) Guiding for one day by an On Foot staff member (priced per group): £205 irrespective of group size Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent)
On Foot Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Email: [email protected] Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom
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