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Main Instructor:

Chris Pole

Hosted By:

Chris Pole

Walk Description:

A beautiful walk across Cranborne Chase just over 5 miles in length.

Approx 2.5 hours to allow for lifts at start of the walk. It is possible we wil need one or two extra cars.

A linear walk from Mike and Sally Gardner's house back to the garden centre. 

Cars will be left at garden centre. Toilet facilities at the garden centre are through the shop and next to the cafe. 

Please use these facilities rather than at the house. You will have to take your boots off otherwise!     

We will start deep in Cranborne Chase and take a route up to Penbury Knoll.

The countryside is stunning with views across to Hampshire with Bokerley Dyke in the distance. This is an earthwork 3.6 miles long. It is a scheduled monument and was excavated by Augustus Pitt Rivers between 1888-1891.

It may have originated in the Bronze Age or early Iron Age. It was formed as a political and cultural boundary. It was cut through by a Roman road (Ackling Dyke).

To this day it still forms part of a boundary between Dorset and Hampshire. There are views towards Martin Down National Nature reserve. (350 hectares of unspoilt chalk downland)

The path can be very muddy until we reach open land with views down to the village of Pentridge below us. The name means "hill of the wild boar".

This area has bluebells, gorse and orchids. We are likely to see hares and deer during our walk. Skylark's and Cookoo's can be heard.

The views extend for miles and on a clear day the I O W and the apartments of Bournemouth can be seen in the distance on our left.

We will climb up to the trig point of Penbury Knoll Camp hillfort to take advantage of the scenery from here. This is a small pear shaped Iron Age enclosure on Pentridge hill.

The route goes over a tall stile then across a field with long grass. We pass a shepherds hut then over another tall stile and through a small wood.

The route can go straight across a corn field or we can skirt the field and take a rutted path until we reach the track to Jack's Hedge Corner.

From here we turn right, down a long track to the country road back to Cranborne and welcome refreshments.

Please wear good walking boots, long trousers and gaiters if you have them. Be prepared for rough underfoot conditions.

I am grateful to Mike and Sally Gardner for making this walk possible.

Location Notes:

Please park at the top end of the carpark on the grass. Toilets next to the cafe, need to walk through the shop to access.