Walk Reports 2026/1
Mileaters – Fleet of Foot : 9th April 2026
After 23C the day before, there was a welcome return to average temperatures for our fortnightly walk. Setting out from The Elm Tree in Langton Herring (re-opened last year after an amazing fund-raising effort by the local community) 20 Mileaters plus Molly and a guest appearance from Peggy, took the familiar path through Higher Farm and Ten Acre Plantation where the first bluebells were showing. “Highly rated” was the score on the doors for the loos at the caravan site, and then it was onward down to The Fleet for some birdwatching – egrets, herons, terns and mergansers were spotted as we stopped for coffee on the beach below the Coastguard Cottages. 80 plus years ago it was here that Barnes Wallis's bouncing bombs were put through their trials prior to the Dambuster's Raid.
The Coast Path was followed past Rodden Hive where the eagle-eyed amongst us spotted a Red Kite soaring above, to eventually arrive at the lane near Lower Farm; here some chose the shorter option for a quick return to the pub (I wonder why !) whilst others took the longer option via Rodden Ridge to enter Langton Herring from the valley to the north, thereby completing a 5 ¼ mile circuit of great views and varied landscapes. The very popular Elm Tree awaited our custom.
Nick Priddle
Mileaters Broadmayne Walk 26th March 2026
23 walkers set off on a late March day which promised good weather but had a chill in the wind. Our fingers were crossed that the farmer had not yet got around to fertilising or ploughing the large field which made up the first leg. Luckily, there had only been a light dressing with slurry but this was dried up by the previous day’s wind and did not dirty our clean boots. St Martin’s church, Broadmayne, has an unusual style of architecture which is seen on our walk from the reverse.
Just along the way, at our first stop, we read about the part played by Broadmayne in the build up to the D-Day landings. There were two large camps housing several thousand American troops preparing to land on Omaha beach.
From here we walked along the valley passed the former brick works towards the Watercress beds which looked like a deserted mill and water works. The beds housed the quietly growing product in the crystal clear chalk stream waters.
Rising up to the heath land on the ridge, we listened to the fabulous birdsong. At this point, we were passing alongside the redundant sand and gravel quarries, now filled with deep water and dangerous water. Down, through a lovely woodland section, just a week or two from being flooded with Bluebells. The trickiest part of the walk was navigating a small stream minus any visible bridging or any decent dry foot placements.
In the New Inn, at West Knighton, I think all agreed that it was a very pleasant walk we and that we all deserved a nice lunch.
Martin & Lesley Usherwood
16 hardy walkers battled, wind, rain, mist and mud to walk over Abbotsbury Hill. Of course there was mud, Oh yes, mud. Coffee break was at the Grey Mare and her Colts, which was very short as the cold wind did blow. A walkers' split took place on the descent with some choosing to walk along the road. We were all reunited in the village. The Brewers Arms welcomed us with warmth, drink and good food to revive us all.
Lesley and Mark. 12th March 2026
