Bluebells, Wild Garlic and Wood Anemonies abounded in the mixed woodland sections and stunning views for most of the rest. No stiles meant a good pace was achieved despite there being 1000’ height differential over the 6 mile route. We even managed to find a bit of Dorset Nick hasn’t walked before!

Winterbourne Stickland is a very pretty to place to have a coffee break with plenty of benches and a lovely stream running through the village Green, at the Triangle. The dogs were first in to cool off on a warm day but try as I might none of the humans were tempted, not even the youngsters.

The return journey was achieved by traversing a very bright Rape field where a Skylark was put up by one of the dogs and gave us a lovely rendition from 50’ on high. Then on along the picturesque Jubilee Trail parts of which are undergoing some thinning out. A traditional coppicing method on the Sweet Chestnut trees, one man with a small chain saw and a more industrial method using heavy machinery on the Pine trees.


A very nice lunch was partaken at the Crown in Stickland. Good Food, Good Beer and Good Company.

Martin Usherwood