In Thomas Hardy’s Footsteps: Heart of Hardy’s Dorset Literally & literarily follow in Hardy’s footsteps: take some of his favourite walks as well as the routes taken by many of the characters from his novels as you explore the rolling Dorset hills between the Blackmore Vale & the Frome Valley at Dorchester.
Highlights Visit Hardy’s Cottage & Max Gate Expansive views across the Blackmore Vale Visit the settings for Hardy’s most famous novels: Far from the Madding Crowd & Tess of the d‘Urbervilles Picturesque Dorset villages like Milton Abbas & Cerne Abbas in rolling countryside Hardy’s poetry & prose are provided in your walking guide to illustrate the strong connections between his fictional Wessex and the real life settings Options: Can also be done as 5, 6, 7 or 8 nights by removal of Days 5, 4, 7 & 8 respectively
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Self Guided Walking 9 nights/8 days walking Distances: 11-20km per day Ascent: 60-370m per day
Linear Trail
When: April to Oct Accomm: Small hotels, B&B’s & inns Basis: Bed & Breakfast
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Arrival: Night at Dorchester
Dorchester, Max Gate & Stinsford. Across the Frome Valley
Hardy’s Cottage & Far from the Madding Crowd: Short Bus transfer to Puddletown at start
Bus to Athlehampton or train to Moreton. Puddletown/Moreton to Bere Regis
Bere Regis to Milton Abbas via Tolpuddle
Milton Abbas to Ansty via Bulbarrow
Ansty to Cerne Abbas via Minterne Gardens
Cerne Abbas to Evershot (Evershead)
Around Evershot via Melbury Osmond
Transfer to Dorchester after breakfast
20km +60m
17km +135m
max 15km +140m
17km +340m
15km +260m 18km +370m 20km +340m 11km +260m
Dorset’s Jurassic Coastal Path & Ridgeway Stunning section of the coastal path beginning in the picturesque old port of Lyme Regis, “The Pearl of Dorset,” that takes in Golden Cap, the highest cliff on the south coast, the rock arch of Durdle Door and the circular bay of Lulworth Cove.
Highlights A varied and interesting coastline with secluded bays, lovely beaches and towering cliffs The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site capturing 185 million years of Earth’s history Chalk ridge of the Ridgeway with its great views and prehistoric sites Additional nights possible at Lyme Regis (additional local walk provided) and/or at Abbotsbury with its Swannery & Tropical Gardens If Army Firing Ranges at Lulworth are closed, it is still possible to extend the walk by having a transfer to Kimmeridge but normally the 7&8 night versions only available during school holidays & weekends
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Self Guided Walking 5 to 8 nights/4 to 7 days walking Distances: 10-21km per day Ascent: 180-650m per day
Day 1 Arrival: night at Lyme Regis
Day 2
When: April to Oct Accomm: Small hotels, B&B’s & inns Basis: Bed & Breakfast
Day 3
Lyme Regis to West West Bay to Bay via Charmouth Abbotsbury via & Golden Cap Chesil Beach (highest cliff on the south coast) 17km +530m
14km +210m
"The booklet was a lovely keepsake, with personalised touches. We had a great week with perfect weather for walking. The distances between overnight stops was just right." E. Darby, UK.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Abbotsbury to Osmington Mills via the Ridgeway with lots of prehistoric sites
Osmington Mills to Lulworth & its beautiful cove via White Nothe & Durdle Door
Depart after breakfast OR option to continue to Worth Matravers
21km +310m
10km +420m
19km +650m
Linear Trail
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Worth Matravers to Swanage
Depart or Swanage to Corfe Castle (via Old Harry Rocks & Studland) & train return to Swanage
Depart after breakfast
18km +180m
16/19km up to +440m
Dorset, UK. Self Guided Walking Holidays
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