Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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Sibyl Porter
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2 Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty There s lots of good reasons for getting out in the countryside but let s keep it simple it makes us feel great and it doesn t cost a lot! If you re not a regular countryside goer or don t know the area, sometimes it s hard to ind somewhere to suit you and this is even trickier when you re taking family or friends along too. In Dorset we re spoilt for choice for places to go. With half the county recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there s great views, lots of wildlife, lashings of local food and history around every corner. So we ve come up with lots of places where you can turn up and know you can park, picnic, ly a kite, tire the kids out or just relax and enjoy the view. There s a mixture of windy hills, sandy beaches and wandering woods to suit all moods, energy levels...and all weathers. We re really pleased to be working with Fudges, a traditional Dorset village bakery. With panoramic view s of breath-taking landscape on offer, Fudges are encouraging people to explore all our season s offerings with a Bicnic. It s all abou t wrapping up warm, packing a flask and some Fudges biscuits, taking a stroll and, quite simply, savouring the moment. Once you ve experienced it, you ll be hooked! To show how keen they are to get people bicnicing, they ve installed their first limited edition Bicnic bench at Durlston Country Park near Swanage, so people can sit and enjo y each moment. Take a look at the Fudges website for other Bicn ic locations fudges.co.uk

3 Around Dorchester & North Dorset On Dorchester s doorstep, the South Dorset Ridgeway, has been a popular destination for 1000s of years an ancient landscape where you can really get in touch with your heritage. 14: Maiden Castle We can t help boasting that this is one of the biggest iron age hillforts in Europe with wide open spaces to frolic, ling frisbees, picnic and get a taste of history. Maiden Castl e 15: Osmington Mills The coast path takes you on a short walk along the cliffs to Ringstead from here. Look out for the shipwreck below... and lovely to see all the sailing boats in the bay. Free for all? All the sites we have listed in this lea let are free to visit except for Brownsea Island whe re there is an entrance fee. Som e of the sites have free parking but we have marked those that don t with a. If you are a National Trust mem ber, you can park for free at all National Trust car parks and get into Brownsea Island free too. Visit or look out for the Just Coastin camper van along the coast to sign up there. se Hor Osmington White 16: Osmington White Horse If you re feeling up for a half hour wander, it ll get you to the top of the White Horse where you can picnic, run around, ly kites or just sit and enjoy the views over to Portland and beyond. Key Information Short Walks Pay Parking Views Informal Parking Bring a Picnic Mat Free Parking Picnic Tables Refreshments Bus Service Toilet Benches Boat Trips

4 17: Blackdown Head for the Hardy monument for immense views as far as the Isle of Wight on a clear day, often the chance of a cuppa or ice cream to help you enjoy the view! Short walks along the ridge, easy wandering. West Bay Views acros to Chesil Beas Abbotsbury ch 22: Woolland Hill 23: Okeford Hill Views across the vale towards Hambledon Hill & and you can nip down to Ringmoor and Turnworth Down from here. Pick a clear day to head for this viewpoint, with great views across Blackmore Vale, (not in the AONB but lovely nonetheless!) Small grassy area for picnics. 18: St Catherine s Chapel, Abbotsbury Short and steep walk up to Chapel Hill but you feel on top of the world when you get there! Fly kites, picnic, head for the tea rooms or enjoy the village s new play park at the foot of Chapel Hill. el, ap St Catherine s Ch ry Abbotsbu 20: Hill ield Hill 19: Frampton Head for the Millennium Green for a tranquil riverside picnic spot and duck watching. Wander on past the village hall to Harry s Wood, great for springtime lowers and shady picnics. Great short walks and a lovely woodland sculpture trail. Take crayons and paper for kids to follow the art trail. Managed by Dorset Countryside this is a nice easy place to let off steam and get some fresh air. 24: Hod Hill and Hambledon Hill A short easy walk up to the top of Hod Hill gets you great views, good kite lying and picnicking. If you want to explore a bit further head over to Hambledon Hill National Nature Reserve next door for more of the same but bigger! Both hills are iron age hillforts, steeped in history and great for lowers and butter lies in the summer. Hod Hill and Hambledon H ill 25: Ringmoor & Turnworth Down A good bluebell wood in a forgotten part of Dorset, this iron age hillfort and common really does feel tucked away. National Trust has granted open access so a nice place to wander and get a little lost! 21: Cerne Abbas Once you ve oggled the giant, you can follow a short river walk to the village for tea or walk up the giant s hill for great views over the Cerne valley. s Cerne Abba You don t need to have lots of time, lots of kit or lots of energy to enjoy the sites in this lea let. If it s been dry, you ll prob ably get away with trainers rather than wellies. but coats and a tasty snack are always recomm ended!

The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of a family of 47 other AONBs in the UK which, together with the National Parks, make up our inest landscapes.

We want to make sure the landscape bene its the people who live, work and visit here and that it is handed over to future generations in good shape.

information given nor any omissions which have occurred. Crown Copyright 2011.

5 The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of a family of 47 other AONBs in the UK which, together with the National Parks, make up our inest landscapes. The Dorset AONB Partnership brings together a range of organisations to care for the natural beauty of the landscape. We want to make sure the landscape bene its the people who live, work and visit here and that it is handed over to future generations in good shape. Please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all details of this publication are correct, Dorset AONB Partnership does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information given nor any omissions which have occurred. Crown Copyright OS licence number: Photo credits: Mark Simons DCC, Sue Macpherson, Nathalie Amagat Roberts, Dave Penman, Jonny Andrews, Anthony Page, Mark Heighes, Kevin Freeman, Dorset AONB, National Trust Photo Library, Natural England / Ian Dalgleish, Kerry Street, Becky Campbell. With thanks to: Designed by: This lea let can be made available in audio tape, large print and Braille or alternative languages on request

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