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Walking Holidays in the UK |
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Walking Holiday on Dorset's
Jubilee Trail
via Forde Abbey, Mapperton Gardens, The Hardy Monument
Lawrence of Arabia's Grave, and much more
Created by the Dorset Area of the Ramblers' Association
in 1995 to celebrate 60 years of the Ramblers' Association
Suggested Tour Duration:
8 nights, 7 days walking
Total Distance:
90 miles
Min/max daily distance:
9/15 miles
Average Daily distance:
13 miles
Grading:
easy/moderate
Features:
Forde Abbey
Mapperton Gardens
Hardy Monument
Lawrence of Arabia's Grave
To start your UK walking holiday you make your own to Forde Abbey in Dorset. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday.
Walking on from Forde Abbey, which was built 800 years ago and is set in 30 acres of gardens, you come to Pilsdon Pen, one of the highest hills in Dorset and its Iron Age hill fort. You walk through the picturesque village of Stoke Abbott to Mapperton Manor, a fine Jacobean manor house. The gardens nearby are well worth a visit .
Walking on from Mapperton, the area is a scene of timeless English rural countryside. You walk on through small villages and hamlets that could come straight from a Thomas Hardy Novel. The Kingcombe Meadows nature reserve is well worth a visit. Before the trail reaches Littlebredy it crosses the Macmillan Way (coming soon).
The trail soon reaches the Hardy Monument built to commemorate Admiral Sir T.M. Hardy, hero of the battle of Trafalgar of "kiss me Hardy" fame. This part of Dorset has been used as a backdrop to many films of Thomas Hardy's novels.
Walking on, the trail passes near to Mill House Cider Museum, a working museum well worth a visit. Morton is a lovely village famous for the grave of Lawrence of Arabia. The old village school is now a fine tea room. Soon the trail crosses the River Frome. This area has been used by the army since WW1 and the Bovington Tank Museum is well worth a visit. The trail passes through the picturesque village of Briantspuddle with its many thatched cottages before arriving at Bere Regis.
The trail passes through quiet little hamlets and villages with the largest being Milton Abbas with a few shops and a local pub. The trail continues on through Milton Park Woods and Charity Wood to Winterborne Stickland . There are many villages in the area with Winterborne in their name. It relates to streams which only flow when the water table is high, usually in winter. At Durweston the trail meets the River Stour and the Stour Valley Way. There is a fine pub and a few shops nearby.
Walking on, the trail soon reaches Stourpaine famed for its thatched cottages, annual steam fair and being the point where the River Iwerne meets the River Stour. A slight detour to Hod Hill is worthwhile with its ancient British and roman remains, this is a haven for wild flowers and butterflies. At Tarrant Gunville there are a few remains of the once great house Eastbury Park. The landscape shows signs of its previous ancient British and Roman inhabitants.
Walking on, the trail passes through a couple of villages with Winterborne in their names. At Cranborne there is much to see including a fine manor house and gardens as well as The Fleur de Lys Inn which claims to have connections with Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Rupert Brook and Judge Jeffrey the hanging judge. This whole area is steeped in history and has been the site of some great battles in Saxon times.
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday and spend some time exploring.
What's included
in your UK walking holiday
on the Jubilee Trail
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
Short walking breaks are also available, with 2 or 3 days walking. Just select the part of the path you want to walk.
The above distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Optional Extras
for your UK Walking Holiday
on the Jubilee Trail
- upgrade to the region's most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
8 nights from £479 per
person
double occupancy
All prices subject to change
By Car to Forde Abbey where parking is available
By Train / Bus Crewkerne or Salisbury
Contact us for schedule and availability. Lines
are open 7 days a week. 9am to 9pm  New York 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EDT  Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time: 7pm to 7am EST or email us |
