Higher Bockhampton - Puddletown Forest

Ron and Jenny Glynn

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This is an exceptionally wonderful walk, much of it on woodland paths. Starting from the car park near the Thomas Hardy cottage in Higher Bockhampton, the route passes the cottage and the Hardy memorial stone erected by some of his American friends in 1931. The first of several paths are then taken in Puddletown Forest, magical and mysterious in their quiet beauty. The gradients are quite steep at times, with some superb views when the path comes out in clearings. The route circles back to Bockhampton and crosses the course of a Roman road. This lovely area is immortalised by the pen of Thomas Hardy in his engaging novels and numerous poems. The atmospheric little cottage where he was born and lived in his former years is managed by the National Trust and the walk can easily be combined with a visit to it, complementing the whole experience.

England - South West England - Dorset - Coast

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, National Trust, Wildlife, Woodland

1/20/2010 - Sarah Tazewell

This is a fantastic walk with excellent directions. You really get to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside and the route is easy going enough for me as I have a Morton's Neuroma which severely restricts my walking ability. Thank you for a lovely route, Ron and Jenny, more please!!