Walking West Dorset

Because of the current shortage of daylight this is a shorter walk than usual, about three-and-a-half miles. The terrain is mostly flat with gentle slopes at Winfrith Heath. Park at the roadside near the church, which is open and inviting to visitors but not very exciting inside. There is only one stained glass window which is a century old. Cross the road and join a footpath signed to the village centre, following the River Win. When you get to a T junction, turn left and walk westward for about 100 yards until you reach another path signposted to Winfrith Heath heading north. When you pass a house it heads north east across a field to a gate onto the main road just to the left of the first/ last houses of the village. Cross the road and head north along a bridleway. Look out for a flock of black, longnecked sheep, alpacas I guess.

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

After half a mile the bridleway goes through a gate and enters the Winfrith Heath Nature Reserve. If you decide to scale the knoll on your right to see the view, watch where you’re putting your feet as there are dozens of badger setts. Back in my working days I once phoned the office whilst chest deep in a badger sett as the ground had collapsed beneath me! The view is good from the top. Return to the bridleway and continue north for about a furlong to where the path turns right and crosses the heath to join a road which leads you uphill, over a cattle grid to join another road at Blacknoll. This takes you downhill to the main road opposite the Red Lion. Pass the pub and head down the village street back to your car.