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

Mileaters Walk 13.2.2025

With Valentine’s Day and the Half Term holiday looming a small but hardy group of 9, plus Molly the dog headed out on a very chilly morning from the pretty village of East Chaldon/ Chaldon Herring, which was once an artist’s enclave, housing poets, artists and sculptors. 

The walk, of just under 5 miles, was for the majority of the time on farm tracks, with a few gates, and without stiles. 

Starting at the ‘walkers’ car park meant walking through the village before taking the lane that would lead us up the first of two hills towards the coast. The climb up to the ridgeway made it feel like a long way but it warmed us up and afforded us wonderful views north over the village to the 5 Marys, a group of Bronze age round barrows, on the opposite side of the valley. After watching a large ‘murder’ of crows wheeling in unison (I daren’t use the term murmuration) over a huge manure heap we reached the ridgeway.  Our view was then changed towards the sea, Bats Head and a glimpse of the top of Durdle Door. 

Our coffee stop was to have been on the ridgeway with the views but this was far too cold so we headed on and found a sheltered spot behind a hedge.  Moving on, we followed the track to Daggers Gate which, disappointingly for some, had no daggers or even a gate. It does, however, come with stories of witches, murder, smugglers and Revenue Men. 

From there it was mostly downhill through field and lane before ending back at the car park.  Good news was, nobody fell over or got covered in mud and, Molly seemed to have a good time! 

Afterwards, we made our way to the Red Lion at Winfrith Newburgh for lunch.  Don’t mention the chicken wings!!

Martin and Sheree