This day’s walk (we took more than four hours, with some nice stops along the way) sets out along the South Dorset Ridgeway with fine views, and follows mostly well-defined and quiet paths taking in the Kingston Russell stone circle and the less-walked areas that sit behind the popular coast path.
The benefit of heading to one of Dorset’s most popular walking areas is that it’s an easy to navigate route with well-maintained gates at all points (no tracking up and down the hedge, looking for that stile which is buried in a seasons’s bramble growth). Paths are simple to find, which means a relaxed stroll taking in the amazing wide views from almost every point of the walk. The first half will no doubt be busy in summer months, but in October we had the whole route to ourselves – the second half is away from the better-known routes, and will be quieter even during busier seasons.
The Kingston Russell stone circle was our chosen lunch spot: it’s a late Neolithic or Bronze Age stone circle consisting of 18 stones (we’re not talking Stonehenge, they’re moderately unprepossessing small boulders), but they sit on a hilltop overlooking the Jurassic Coast, and are never busy as they’re only accessible to walkers.
It is very exposed to the sea, so be sure to go prepared for the wind, and be aware that any rain will come in sideways! There are lots of chalk paths, too, which become slippery after rain.
Parking is easy in the Hardy Monument car park – it’s National Trust, so free for members, and open dawn to dusk. Note that it is always very busy in the summer! If you can, park on the far edge overlooking the sea, and then it’s a perfect spot to sit with a flask of hot chocolate at the end of your walk!
