Badbury Rings and Shapwick
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Walk directions
Walk up the hill to explore the site of Badbury Rings, then head down the track by which you drove in. Cross the B3082 and go straight down the road towards Shapwick – its straightness gives away its Roman origins. Pass Crab Farm on your right, with winter views of Charborough Tower on the distant horizon.
At the junction with Park Lane turn right, then right again by Elm Tree Cottage to go up Swan Lane, a grassy track. Turn left over a stile before the gate. Go straight over the field, cross a stile, and along the left edge of the next field. Go into the yard of Bishops Court Dairy and turn right past the first barn. Go up a track and bear left at a track through a gateway, then half right across the field, heading for a narrow gap halfway along the hedge. Go through this and continue in the same direction to the top corner of the field.
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Additional information
Terrain
- Farm tracks, roads, grassy lanes and fields
Landscape
- Gently rolling farmland leading down to water-meadows
Dog friendliness
- Under control on Badbury Rings
Parking
- National Trust car park at Badbury Rings, signposted off B3082 from Wimborne to Blandford
Toilets en route
- None on route
About the walk
The most obvious legacy of the Roman invasion of Britain in ad 43 is the network of straight military roads. Before they came, many routes existed as tracks, but it took the Roman desire for effective communication and control across their empire to make these permanent. A few roads would actually...
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Walking in Safety
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Dorset is made up of rugged coastlines, high chalk downlands and a chain of picturesque villages and seaside towns that make up Britain’s Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, noted for its layers of shale and numerous fossils embedded in the rock. Hidden gems of Dorset can be found down winding, country lanes that lead to snug villages hidden from view.
Nearby places to stay
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Nearby places to stay
Parkfield Cottage
This compact, cosy, restored barn is set in the grounds of the owner's cottage in this attractive Dorset village. The imaginative conversion features a double bedroom with a beamed and...
Parkfield Cottage
This compact, cosy, restored barn is set in the grounds of the owner's cottage in this attractive Dorset village. The imaginative conversion features a double bedroom with a beamed and...
Denbur
Denbur stands in a lawned garden with cherry and apple trees in Gaunts Common, hunting ground of John of Gaunt, Richard ll’s uncle. The nearest town is Wimborne Minster, the minster its...
Denbur
Denbur stands in a lawned garden with cherry and apple trees in Gaunts Common, hunting ground of John of Gaunt, Richard ll’s uncle. The nearest town is Wimborne Minster, the minster its...
South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park
Year-on-year improvements are made by the passionate, hands-on owners at South Lytchett in order to exceed guest expectations. There's a very popular café, the Manor's Tap airstream bar...
The Inside Park
The Inside Park has been established for over 30 years, and its secluded 14 acres of park and woodland sees a lot of return visitors. Containing many fine specimen trees, the park and i...
Rockley Park
A complete holiday experience, including a wide range of day and night entertainment, and plenty of sports and leisure activities, notably watersports. There is also mooring and launchi...
West Farm Lodges
Farm buildings were converted into four attractive and comfortable two-bedroom lodges. Guests will enjoy the peaceful rural setting, although Verwood is just a mile away. You can walk t...
Places to eat nearby View all
