Walk Reports 2026/1
Mileaters toil in the Sun. 2nd July 2026
Another sunny one as 14 Mileaters plus “Pip” and “Molly” set off from The Elm Tree to explore some unfamiliar territory to the north of Langton Herring, thankfully a slight breeze accompanying us at the outset. Fine views from the lowly Rodden Ridge (and a hare) were enjoyed before battle was joined with a head high maize field – thankfully that well known African tribe helped us locate the faint track through.
A brief skirting of the hamlet of Rodden and then up again above Merry Hill Barn (used for the opening scenes of the more recent version of “Far from the Madding Crowd”), onwards to West Elworth and eventually another climb up to our coffee stop as we joined the Coast Path, with distant views out over the sea.
The heat was now beginning to take effect, and the final pull up into Langton Herring and the sanctuary of The Elm Tree, was tougher than expected, too much for one “Molly” who said no more and summoned a taxi to take her the last ¼ mile.
A welcome lunch and a few revivers soon sorted us all out.
Nick Priddle.
Mileaters 18th June 2026
Eleven titans of Martinstown met at the green for 9.15, the weather was somewhat overcast but warm and humid. Off we set for The Gaggle of Geese at Buckland Newton, where food orders were taken prior to climbing gradually out of BN and onto Bladeley Hill, across the fast Sherborne road, where amazingly a car slowed to allow our intrepid walkers across the road, and onto the ridge overlooking the glorious Minterne House.
We stopped for our elevenses on Little Minterne Hill, this allowed the team a glorious 30 mile plus view across the beautiful Blackmore Vale, on we went down dale and uphill, back across the Sherborne road and past Knapps Hill Farm, where we all, with Ollie the dog, re-enacted a scene from Bonanza herding cattle. We safely crossed our final road and back into BN, where we had a truly delicious lunch,washed down with Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Ale amongst other drinks.
Thank you to all of the gang who joined us, it was great fun.
Riou & Laura.
Mileaters off in search of pastures new.
After a record-breaking May heatwave, 15 Mileaters were fortunate to enjoy cooler conditions, escaping the fierce temperatures of recent days.
The village of Thornford, near Sherborne, was a destination unfamiliar to most of the group, many of whom had neither heard of it nor visited before. Richard, our walk leader, described the route as moderate and, despite an initial steep climb, stretches of long grass, and deeply rutted tracks, it proved to be very manageable.
We set off from the village pub at 10:00 am, having already ordered our lunch, and made our way to Lillington for a coffee stop in the delightful churchyard of this beautiful hamlet.
Lunch at The Kings Arms pub was exceptionally good and we thoroughly enjoyed dining al fresco in the garden.
29th May 2026
