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5. Pilsdon, Dorset, September 2018

Today’s walk was a 11 mile circular route starting from a small free car park just up from the village of Pilsdon. We walked in an anti-clockwise direction, taking in Lewesdon Hill and the villages of Stoke Abbott and Broadwindsor. This was a fabulous walk and well worth drive into Dorset from where we have been staying in Sidmouth, Devon. Even the views from where we parked our car at the start were breath taking as we started from quite a height. The first section of the walk was along fields edges through farm land before we started gaining height again as we approached Swillett’s Farm. We then walked along a ridge and through woodland approaching Lewesdon Hill; a National Trust property and the highest point in Dorset at 279 metres. The size and location of the hill meant that back in 1588 it was used to warn of impending attack by the Spanish. The descent from the hill leads eventually to the village of Stoke Abbott where we stopped for lunch on a bench in the church yard. Church yards seem to have become a regular spot for us to take a break as they often have a bench or two and are nice peaceful spots. This was no exception; the only other living things were some sheep resting in the shadow of the trees among the gravestones. The section of the walk between Stoke Abbott and Broadwindsor offered even more wonderful views. I remember a spot on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors, where there was actually a sign proclaiming it to be the best view in England. Places on this walk would give that vantage point a run for its money. As we walked through Broadwindsor, we passed the second pub of the walk. Sadly, with this being a Monday afternoon, both pubs were shut meaning nowhere locally to pop in for a drink after the walk. Possibly the highlight of the walk was saved until last as we gained more height towards the remains of an Iron Age fort. It is easy to see why this spot was chosen and was considered perfect for defending against possible attacks. It is obviously high up and has complete 360 degree views. We were able to look back and pretty much trace the course of the walk we had just about completed. A short descent took us right back to the car park. This was our second ever walk in Dorset as we had climbed Golden Cap a few years ago. Two walks would not be enough to fairly judge a county, but we certainly have been lucky enough to have picked to special parts of the county to visit so far. As ever, we took this route from Country Walking magazine and if you subscribe to the magazine, you will get access to their back catalogue. If not, OS Explorer 116 would be the map you would need to try and piece together a similar circuit.