Footpaths
Walks
Long Distance Walks:
Macmillan Way: A 290 Mile Coast To Coast Footpath Across Fenland And Limestone England.
Published by the Macmillan Way Association 2000
ISBN 0952685124
This is a 290 mile coast to coast path from Boston to Abbotsbury which was developed to raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Support. The Macmillan Way passes through Castleton and Sherborne on the route from North Cadbury to Yetminster.
The walk has its own waymarks and is shown on the latest editions of the Ordnance Survey maps. The route is described in detail in the Macmillan Way Guidebook. For further details see http://www.macmillanway.org/
The Monarch's Way. Book 2: Stratford-upon-Avon to Charmouth.
Published by Meridian Books. 1995. Reprinted 2005.
ISBN 1 869922 28 X.
The Monarch's Way. Book 3: Charmouth to Shoreham.
Published by Meridian Books. 1995
ISBN 1 869922 29 8.
This is a 615 mile walk which closely follows the route taken by Charles II in his escape after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Charles II found refuge in the Manor House at Trent. The Monarch's Way crosses the northern edge of Castleton on the route from Trent to Sandford Orcas.
The walk has its own waymarks and is shown on the latest editions of the Ordnance Survey maps. The route is described in detail in three books by Trevor Antill. The two books describing the Monarch’s Way in this area are shown above. Further details can be seen on various websites.
The guidebooks can be purchased from Tourist Information Centres, bookshops and online. They are available for loan from Dorset Library.
The Orange Way: Les Ham
Published by Meridian Books. 2003.
ISBN 1 869922 47 6.
This 350 mile long distance walk follows the march in 1688 of Prince William of Orange and his army from Brixham in Devon across the countryside to London. The walk passes through Bradford Abbas to Sherborne and on through Goathill on the way to Wincanton.
The walk does not have special waymarks and is not shown as a long distance route on the Ordnance Survey Map.
This book can be purchased from Tourist Information Centres, bookshops and online. It is available for loan from Dorset Library.
A Round Dorset Walk: Steven Crockford.
Published by Hobnob Press. 2006
ISBN 0 946418 49 7
This is a 181 mile walk which follows the Dorset County boundary. The walk passes through Castleton and Sherborne on the route from Stalbridge to Yetminster.
The walk does not have special waymarks and is not shown as a long distance route on the Ordnance Survey Map
This book can be purchased from Tourist Information Centres, bookshops and online. It is also available for loan from Dorset Library.
Blackmore Vale Path Book 3: Edward R Griffiths.
Published by Green Fields Books 1995
ISBN 0 9519376 3 4
This is a 71 mile walk through Hardy country and around the Blackmore Vale. The walk follows a triangular route from Blandford Forum to Dorchester, from Dorchester to Yeovil and from Yeovil back to Blandford Forum. The walk passes through Castleton, Sherborne and the Deer Park on the way from Yeovil to Stalbridge. The walk does not have special waymarks and is not shown as a long distance route on the Ordnance Survey Map
This book can be purchased from Tourist Information Centres, bookshops and online. It is also available for loan from Dorset Library.
A Dorset Walk: Ron Dacombe, Rodney Legg & Colin Graham.
Published by Dorset Publishing Company. March 1984.
ISBN: 0 9021295 4 6
This is a 100 mile Walk, staggered into stages, across the Dorset Downs and coast from Sherborne to Studland. The walk follows a route from Sherborne to Yetminster, Chetnole, Cerne Abbas, Hardy’s Monument, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Osmington, Lulworth, Corfe Castle to Studland.
The walk does not have special waymarks and is not shown as a long distance route on the Ordnance Survey Map
This book is out of print but second hand copies can be bought. It is available for loan from Dorset Library.
Circular Walks in and around Yeohead and Castleton:
Adventurous Pub Walks in Dorset: Anne-Marie Edwards.
Published by Countryside Books 2003.
ISBN 1 85306 784 9
A book of circular walks with pubs as starting points.
It includes a 10 mile walk starting at the Culverhayes car park in Sherborne going via Coombe Farm to the Manor House in Sandford Orcas returning via Holway, Sherborne Golf Course and Quarr Lane.
Dorchester, Sherborne Town and Country Walks: Ray Thorne.
Published by Nigel Clarke Publications. 1998
ISBN 0 907683 58 4
A book of short walks including a walk in Sherborne town centre and a walk based on Alweston.
Dorset Church Walks; Diana Pé.
Published by Sigma Leisure, 2001.
ISBN 1 85058 720 5
A book of circular walks with churches as starting point.
It includes a 10 mile walk starting at Folke Church to Haydon, through Sherborne Deer Park past The Slopes to Lillington, and returning through Longburton.
It also includes a 9 mile walk starting at Trent Church going to Nether Compton and Sandford Orcas.
Dorset Walks (Jarrold Pathfinder); Brian Conduit & Sue Viccars.
Published by Jarrold Publishing. Revised & reprinted 2008.
ISBN 978 0 7117 4982 5
A book of 28 circular walks of varying grades of difficulty.
It includes a short, easy 5.5 mile walk through Sherborne Park, starting at the Conduit in Sherborne, going to St Cuthbert's Chapel in Oborne, on to Pinford Farm, going up to The Camp and returning by the path south of Sherborne new Castle to New Road. (Note: this follows largely the same route as the walk described in Nature Walks in Dorset and one of the routes in 100 Walks in Dorset. For a longer version of this walk see Pocket Pub Walks, Walking in Dorset. or Waterside Walks in Dorset)
Dorset Walks. Rodney Legg.
Published by Poundbury Publishing (Now Dorset Publishing Company) 1995.
ISBN 0 9526871 0 0
A book of 24 illustrated walks with maps.
It includes a 4 mile walk through Nether Compton and Over Compton. (Note: this is similar to the route described in Walks in West Dorset.)
Footpaths for Fitness: Anne-Marie Edwards.
Published by Countryside Books. 2009.
ISBN 978 1 84674 137 1
A book of 20 circular walks graded as Easy, Moderate or Challenging.
It includes a 4.5 mile walk starting at Trent Church and going to Nether Compton. (Note this is the same walk as in Village Walks in Dorset.)
Forty More Pub Walks in Dorset: Forty Circular walks around Dorset Inns: Mike Power.
Published by Power Publications. 1991. 3rd Edition 1998.
ISBN 0 9514 502 4 7
A book of 40 circular walks with pubs as starting points.
It includes a 3 mile walk starting at the Mitre in Sandford Orcas and a second, slightly shorter, walk starting at the Rose & Crown in Trent.
Nature Walks in Dorset – Volume II – North and East. Tim Goodwin.
Published by Dorset Books 1999.
ISBN 1 871164 65 6
A book of 18 circular walks.
It includes a 5 mile walk through Sherborne Park, starting at Sherborne Station going to St Cuthbert's Chapel in Oborne, on to Pinford Farm, going up to The Camp and returning by the path south of Sherborne New Castle to New Road. (Note: this follows largely the same route as the walk described in Dorset Walks and one of the routes in 100 Walks in Dorset. For a longer version of this walk see Pocket Pub Walks, Walking in Dorset or Waterside Walks in Dorset.)
Pocket Pub Walks; Nigel Vile.
Published by Countryside Books, 2006.
ISBN 978 1 85306 9604
A book of 15 circular walks with pubs as starting points.
It includes a 7 mile walk through Sherborne Park, starting at Sherborne Station going to the Parish Church in Oborne, via St Cuthbert's Chapel on to Pinford Farm, going up to The Camp and returning by the path south of Sherborne new Castle to New Road. (Note: this is a slightly longer version of the walks described in Dorset Walks, Nature Walks in Dorset and one of the routes in 100 Walks in Dorset, and follows a similar route to that described in Walking in Dorset and Waterside Walks in Dorset.).
Pub Strolls in Dorset; Anne-Marie Edwards..
Published by Countryside Books, 2001; Reprinted 2008.
ISBN 978 1 85306 676 4
A book of 30 circular walks with pubs as starting points.
It includes a 3 mile walk from Thornford to Wyke Farm, following the railway to Bradford Abbas and back to Thornford.
Rambles from Dorset Towns; Edward R Griffiths.
Published by Green Fields Books. 1997.
ISBN 0 9519376 5 0
Includes a series of 3 walks from 8 to 11 miles in length starting in Sherborne, going through the Deer Park to Haydon, Alweston, Font le Roi, Folke and Longburton.
Village Walks in Dorset: Anne-Marie Edwards.
Published by Countryside Books. 1998. ISBN 1 85306 495 5
A book of 20 circular walks based on Dorset Villages.
It includes a 4 mile walk starting at Trent Church and going to Nether Compton
(Note this is the same route as in Footpaths for Fitness).
It also includes a 4.5 mile walk starting at Bradford Abbas and going near Thornford and Clifton Maybank.
Walking in Dorset; James Roberts.
Published by Cicerone Press, 1995.
ISBN 1 85284 180 X
A book of 39 circular walks in different areas of Dorset.
It includes a 7 mile walk through Sherborne Park, starting at Sherborne Station going to the Parish Church in Oborne, via St Cuthbert's Chapel on to Pinford Farm, going up to The Camp and returning by the path south of Sherborne new Castle to New Road. (Note: this is a slightly longer version of the walks described in Dorset Walks, Nature Walks in Dorset and one of the routes in 100 Walks in Dorset, and follows a similar route to that described in Pocket Pub Walks and Waterside Walks in Dorset.)
It also includes a 10 mile walk from Sandford Orcas to Cadbury Castle and a 6 mile walk in Trent and the Comptons.
Walks for Motorists Dorset 30 Circular Walks. Roberta Maclaren.
Published by Countryside Books 1980 (Updated 1992).
ISBN 1 85306 168 9
A book of 30 circular walks in different areas of Dorset.
It includes a 3 mile walk through Sherborne Park, starting at a layby on the Goathill-Stourton Caundle road south of Goathill. The walk goes to Goathill Church, Pinford Farm to Haydon and then follows the road back to the layby. (Note this route is similar to one of the routes described in 100 Walks in Dorset.)
Walks into History: Dorset. John Wilks.
Published by Countryside Books. 2007.
ISBN 978 1 84674 033 6.
A book of 16 circular walks in places with particular historic interest in different areas of Dorset.
It includes a 6 mile walk through Sherborne Park, starting at Sherborne Station going through the Deer Park to Haydon, following the road to North Wooton, continuing south to near Folke before returning north down Gainsborough Hill to New Road. (Note: this is similar to the route shown in the Sherborne to North Wootton & Sherborne Park leaflet.)
Walks in West Dorset: 20 Fully Detailed Country Walks. Rodney Legg,
Published by Dorset Publishing Company 2nd revised ed. 1991
ISBN 0 902129 73 2
A book of 20 circular walks of moderate length along public rights of way.
It includes a 6 mile walk through Poyntington and Holway, starting in Poyntington and going along Poyntington Hill to Wheat Sheaf Hill, Holway to Sherborne Golf Course and back to Poyntington.
It also includes a 5 mile walk from Nether Compton and the Butterfly Farm (now closed) starting in Nether Compton and going via Tucker’s Cross and Stallen to Over Compton and back to Nether Compton. (Note: this is similar to the route described in Dorset Walks.)
Waterside Walks in Dorset. Anne-Marie Edwards.
Published by Countryside Books 2000.
ISBN 1 85306 603 6
A book of 20 circular walks.
It includes a 6 mile walk through Sherborne Park, starting at Culverhayes car park going to the Parish Church in Oborne, via St Cuthbert's Chapel on to Pinford Farm, going up to The Camp and returning by the path south of Sherborne new Castle to New Road. (Note: this is a slightly longer version of the walks described in Dorset Walks, Nature Walks in Dorset and one of the routes in 100 Walks in Dorset, and follows the same route as described in Pocket Pub Walks and Walking in Dorset.)
50 Walks in Dorset: Ann F Stonehouse.
Published by AA Publishing 2002.
ISBN 0 7495 3338 2
A book of 50 circular walks in various areas of Dorset.
It includes a 6 mile walk through Sherborne Park, Haydon, following the road to Alweston, continuing south to near Folke before returning north down Gainsborough Hill to New Road, returning to Haydon through the Deer Park.
100 Walks in Dorset: Norman Amey, Peter Clarke, Don Pallister, Andrew Welch.
Published by Crowood Press. 1995.
ISBN1 85223 848 8
A book of 100 circular walks in various areas of Dorset, including 3 in Yeohead and Castleton.
It includes a 3 mile walk through Sherborne Park, starting at Haydon, following the road to Goathill Church, to Pinford Farm and back to Haydon. (Note this route is similar to that described in Walks for Motorists.)
A second walk 6 mile walk through the Sherborne Deer Park largely follows the route described in Dorset Walks and Nature Walks in Dorset.
A third 7.5 walk starts at Longburton Church to Lillington, going north through Honeycombe Wood, along the Thornford Road to the Terraces, up Gainsborough Hill and back to Longburton.
It also includes a 3 mile walk in Sandford Orcas.
These books can be purchased from Tourist Information Centres, bookshops and online. They are also available for loan from Dorset Library.
Leaflets:
Oborne to Sandford Orcas Walk
This is a 7.4 mile walk on minor roads starting at Oborne Parish Church past Sherborne Golf Course to Sandford Orcas, returning past Holway and Poyntington. This leaflet is the first in a series of four published by Sherborne Town Council and West Dorset District Council.
Sherborne to Longburton & Lillington Walk
This is a 6.4 mile walk starting at either the Terrace Playing Fields or Culverhayes car park. The path goes up Gainsborough Hill to Longburton, to Lillington, and along Lillington Road past Honeycombe Road before returning along a stretch of the Macmillan Way to the Terraces. This leaflet is the second in a series of four published by Sherborne Town Council and West Dorset District Council.
Sherborne to North Wootten & Sherborne Park
This is a 6.3 mile walk starting at Culverhays car park. The path goes through the Deer Park to Haydon, to North Wootton before going south to near Folke before returning north down Gainsborough Hill. (Note this route is similar to that described in Walks in History.). This leaflet is the third in a series of four published by Sherborne Town Council and West Dorset District Council.
Sherborne to Quarr & Coombe Walk.
This is a series of three alternative routes of either 2.4, 3.9 or 4.8 miles starting at the junction of Coombe Road and Blackberry Lane in Sherborne. The route includes Sheeplands Lane, Trent Path Lane, Charlock Hill, Coombe Lane, Redhole Lane and Sandford Orcas Road. This leaflet is the fourth in a series of four published by Sherborne Town Council and West Dorset District Council.
Milborne Port Parish Walks: The Ridges Walk.
This is a series of three walks from 6 to 8.5 miles starting from East Street Car Park in Milborne Port and going to Seven Wells Down and the source of the River Yeo and along Donkey Lane and the Poyntington Ridge. This leaflet is the first (The Red Walk) in a series of four published by Milborne Port Parish Council, Somerset County Council and Milborne Port Womens Institute.
Milborne Port Parish Walks: Crendle Hill, East Hill and the Village.
This is a 2.5 mile walk starting from East Street Car Park in Milborne Port and going up to Crendle Hill and East Hill and back along Old Bowden Way and around the village. This leaflet is the second (The Yellow Walk) in a series of four published by Milborne Port Parish Council, Somerset County Council and Milborne Port Womens Institute.
Milborne Port Parish Walks: Milborne Port and Milborne Wick.
This is a 4 mile walk starting from East Street Car Park in Milborne Port and going to East Hill and along the ridge before going to Milborne Wick before returning to Milborne Port. This leaflet is the third (The Blue Walk) in a series of four published by Milborne Port Parish Council, Somerset County Council and Milborne Port Womens Institute.
Milborne Port Parish Walks: Milborne Port, New Town and Kingsbury Regis.
This is a 2.25 mile walk around the Milborne Port. This leaflet is the fourth (The Purple Walk) in a series of four published by Milborne Port Parish Council, Somerset County Council and Milborne Port Womens Institute.
These leaflets are available free of charge from the Sherborne Tourist Information Centre.
Maps:
Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 129 Yeovil & Sherborne covers the area at a scale of 1:25,000.
This map can be purchased from Tourist Information Centres and bookshops.