Ibberton and the Wessex Ridgeway

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Walk directions

From the picnic site car park, turn left along the road, following the route of the Wessex Ridgeway, with the village of Ibberton laid out below you to the right. The road climbs gradually, and you will see the masts on Bulbarrow Hill ahead.

After a mile (1.6km) pass a car park on the left, with a Blackmoor Vale and Woodland Hill information board. At a junction bear right and immediately right again. Pass another car park on the right. The woods of Woolland Hill now fall away steeply on your right. Pass the radio masts to your left and reach a small gate into a field on your right, near the end of the wood. Before taking it, go the extra few steps to the road junction ahead for a wonderful view of the escarpment stretching away to the west.

Go through the gate and follow the uneven bridleway down. Glimpse a spring-fed lake through the trees on the right. At the bottom of the field swing left to a gate. Go through this onto a road. Turn right, continuing downhill. Follow the road into Woolland, passing the Manor House and the Old School House.

Just beyond the entrance to Woolland House on the left, turn right into a lane and immediately left through a kissing gate. The path immediately forks. Take the left-hand track, down through some marshy patches and a stand of young sycamores. Posts with yellow footpath waymarkers lead straight on across the meadow, with gorse-clad Chitcombe Down up to the right. Cross a small quagmire and a footbridge over the stream. Go straight on to cross a road. Keeping straight on, go over a stile in the hedge. Bear left down an uncomfortably overgrown enclosed path – arm yourself with a stick if possible – and cross a stile to continue down. Cross a footbridge and go through a gate to continue along the left side of the next field. Go through a gate to a road junction. Walk straight up the road ahead and follow it right, into Ibberton. Bear right to reach The Ibberton pub.

Continue up this road through the village. It steepens and becomes a path, bearing right. There are some steps that lead up to the church. Continue up the steep and stony path, which may be treacherous in heavy rain. Cross the road and go straight ahead through the gate. Keep straight on along a fence, climbing steadily. Cross under some power lines, continue in the same direction, still climbing. Carry on up a large area of open pasture, to a small gate in the hedge. Do not go through the gate, but turn sharp left, up the slope. There’s no footpath to speak of, so skirt to the left of the trees above you and then aim for a small metal gate. This will bring you onto the road opposite the car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Quiet roads, muddy bridleways, field paths

Landscape - Edge of steep escarpment with views over Blackmoor Vale

Dog friendliness - Lots of road walking may be tiring for soft paws

Parking - Car park at Ibberton Hill picnic site

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Dorset Dog-friendly walks in Dorset

About the walk

The Wessex Ridgeway is a long-distance footpath that runs for 137 miles (220km) from Marlborough in Wiltshire across Dorset to Lyme Regis. The 62 miles (100km) of the Dorset section start at the high point of Ashmore. Although it was only completed in 1980, the path follows much older routes...

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

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.