High Point Holidays Walking Holidays Brochure 2019 2019 | Page 60

In Thomas Hardy’s Footsteps: Heart of Hardy’s Dorset
Literally & literarily follow in Hardy’s footsteps: take some of his favourite walks as well as the routes taken by many of the
characters from his novels as you explore the rolling Dorset hills between the Blackmore Vale & the Frome Valley at Dorchester.
Highlights
Visit Hardy’s Cottage & Max Gate
Expansive views across the Blackmore Vale
Visit the settings for Hardy’s most famous novels: Far
from the Madding Crowd & Tess of the d‘Urbervilles
Picturesque Dorset villages like Milton Abbas & Cerne
Abbas in rolling countryside
Hardy’s poetry & prose are provided in your walking
guide to illustrate the strong connections between
his fictional Wessex and the real life settings
Options: Can also be done as 5, 6, 7 or 8 nights by
removal of Days 5, 4, 7 & 8 respectively
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•
•
•
Self Guided Walking
9 nights/8 days walking
Distances: 11-20km per day
Ascent: 60-370m per day
Linear Trail
When: April to Oct
Accomm: Small hotels, B&B’s & inns
Basis: Bed & Breakfast
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10
Arrival:
Night
at
Dor-
chester Dorchester,
Max Gate &
Stinsford.
Across the
Frome Valley Hardy’s Cottage &
Far from the Mad-
ding Crowd: Short
Bus transfer to
Puddletown at start Bus to Athlehamp-
ton or train to
Moreton. Pud-
dletown/Moreton
to Bere Regis Bere Regis to
Milton Abbas
via Tolpuddle Milton Ab-
bas to Ansty
via Bulbar-
row Ansty to
Cerne Abbas
via Minterne
Gardens Cerne Abbas
to Evershot
(Evershead) Around
Evershot via
Melbury
Osmond Transfer to
Dorchester
after
breakfast
20km +60m 17km +135m max 15km +140m 17km +340m 15km +260m 18km +370m 20km +340m 11km +260m
Dorset’s Jurassic Coastal Path & Ridgeway
Stunning section of the coastal path beginning in the picturesque old port of Lyme Regis, “The Pearl of Dorset,” that takes in
Golden Cap, the highest cliff on the south coast, the rock arch of Durdle Door and the circular bay of Lulworth Cove.
Highlights
A varied and interesting coastline with secluded bays,
lovely beaches and towering cliffs
The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site capturing
185 million years of Earth’s history
Chalk ridge of the Ridgeway with its great views and
prehistoric sites
Additional nights possible at Lyme Regis (additional
local walk provided) and/or at Abbotsbury with its
Swannery & Tropical Gardens
If Army Firing Ranges at Lulworth are closed, it is still
possible to extend the walk by having a transfer to
Kimmeridge but normally the 7&8 night versions only
available during school holidays & weekends
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•
•
•
Self Guided Walking
5 to 8 nights/4 to 7 days walking
Distances: 10-21km per day
Ascent: 180-650m per day
Day 1
Arrival:
night at
Lyme
Regis
Day 2
60
When: April to Oct
Accomm: Small hotels, B&B’s & inns
Basis: Bed & Breakfast
Day 3
Lyme Regis to West West Bay to
Bay via Charmouth Abbotsbury via
& Golden Cap
Chesil Beach
(highest cliff on the
south coast)
17km +530m
14km +210m
"The booklet was a lovely keepsake, with personal-
ised touches. We had a great week with perfect
weather for walking. The distances between over-
night stops was just right." E. Darby, UK.
Day 4 Day 5 Day 6
Abbotsbury to
Osmington Mills
via the Ridgeway
with lots of pre-
historic sites Osmington Mills
to Lulworth & its
beautiful cove via
White Nothe &
Durdle Door Depart after
breakfast OR
option to con-
tinue to Worth
Matravers
21km +310m 10km +420m 19km +650m
Linear Trail
Day 7
Day 8 Day 9
Worth
Matravers to
Swanage Depart or Swanage to
Corfe Castle (via Old
Harry Rocks & Stud-
land) & train return to
Swanage Depart
after
break-
fast
18km +180m 16/19km up to +440m
Dorset, UK. Self Guided Walking Holidays