The Mileaters

The village walking group began nearly 35 years ago with the aim of walking the Dorset Coast Path, in sections, from the Devon border to Sandbanks. Subsequently the reverse route from Sandbanks to Devon has been undertaken.

We are a friendly group of local residents, ex-residents, and colleagues from the area, who meet on a fortnightly basis to enjoy the diversity of the wonderful Dorset countryside. We take it in turns to lead a walk with most members being allotted a fortnight's slot twice a year. The choice of distance, location, and day within that fortnight is at the discretion of the fortnightly leader, but walks (anywhere in Dorset) are usually between 4 and 8 miles. 

Walk details are distributed by email. A picnic lunch is often carried in the Summer, but a pub lunch in the Winter is the norm - rehydration is de rigueur! Generally we meet on the Village Green at 10.00 a.m.

Contact:
Nick Priddle tel: 01305 889189

 “Adventure is worthwhile in itself”: Jules Verne.

Our Mileaters adventure started with a procession behind a learner bus driver, then a hedge-cutter then a flaxen-haired farmer-girl on a tractor (who pulled over for us!) on the way from the village green to Burton Bradstock.

14 hoomans and two spaniels then climbed up the long elevation from Shadrack to Bennett’s Hill Farm before cutting through the fields to Shipton Gorge. We were rewarded with beautiful views across to the hills of Innsacre and Bonscombe as we meandered through the meadows to Bothenhampton. At the top of the ridge there we stopped for coffee overlooking West Bay. 

In true Phileas Fogg fashion, this is where things turned really adventurous as we clambered down twenty flights of clay steps to arrive at the tiny but pretty Holy Trinity church. There we were met not by Passepartout, but by a glamorous chauffeuse ready to take anyone wanting to travel onwards by car. One of us had remembered that ,this being a Chris and Lilly-led walk, it was bound to rain so took the lift. The rest ascended to the ridge overlooking the sea just as the inevitable precipitation started. 

We arrived a little damp at the Anchor in Burton Bradstock where, after a bit of a wait (filled with banter and drinks) we had some fabulous dishes for lunch, including what one described as the best prawn sandwich he’d ever had.

We didn’t bother going to the Reform Club but diverted immediately to hot baths and tea at home. 

So, perfect day. 

Chris Evans