Independent walking holidays -   Wessex Trails - Dorset
The rich varied landscape and historical treasures of Dorset have inspired Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and John Fowles (French Lieutenant's Woman was filmed at Lyme Regis). The walk starts at Lyme Regis and "Far from the Madding Crowd" is still a good description of many rural villages which lie peacefully in Dorset's hidden valleys and rolling hills. From Lyme Regis the path follows the coast eastward to Charmouth, famous for its fossil encrusted cliffs, and then to the headland of orange sandstone known as Golden Gap. Turn inland to discover the wealth of historic and prehistoric sites; the hill fort of Maiden Castle, the historic town of Dorchester and the medieval tithe barn at Abbotsbury. Here one also finds a nature reserve for swans. Past Hardy's birthplace to the 18th century village of Milton Abbas with its white thatched cottages. Return to the coast to walk to Lulworth Cove.

No of Nights :           7
Starts at:                  Lyme Regis     Ends at:       Lulworth Cove  (near Wool)
Grade:                     Easy
Dates available:      Start any day from April to October                           
Day stages:             Min 9 miles  - max 12 miles.
Accommodation:   The villages of Hardy’s Dorset have been accommodating visitors for many centuries. We spend the first 2 nights in Lyme Regis where Jane Austen would still feel at home. Our accommodation is a former coaching inn, it has modern comforts, but still maintains its superb 17th century character. Our second stop is at a regency style country house hotel about 300 metres from the picturesque harbour and beach of West Bay. The rooms are spacious and have ensuite facilities. At the beautiful old monastic village of Abbotsbury we stay in a friendly and intimate hotel with the high standards of service and facilities you would expect from a Premier Inn. Centrally located in the historic county town of Dorchester, we spend 2 nights in an attractive Georgian property built in 1815 by Lord Ilchester for his coachman, it has now been converted to a hotel. Our last night is spent at a comfortable family run hotel overlooking Lulworth Cove. All rooms are tastefully decorated and are ensuite. This hotel also boasts an outdoor swimming pool.
Meals included:      Breakfast daily.
Price:                      625UK   based on double
Single supplement:   188 UK   

Itinerary q       Day 1 Lyme Regis: Travel to starting point (Lyme Regis). Explore town and medieval stone (Cobb) harbour. q       Day 2 Lyme Regis: Walk through famous Under-cliff (nature reserve on coast west of town) or explore coastal cliffs for fossils and walk to Seaton, maybe return to Lyme by taxi (10 miles 6 hours). q       Day 3 Bridport: “Roller-coaster” footpath along coast over Golden Cap hill (highest sea cliff in the south of England) to West Bay (11 miles 6 hours). q       Day 4 Abbotsbury: Coastal path via Saxon Hill Fort with magnificent views of Chesil Bank (longest shingle beach in Europe) to Abbotsbury with its medieval tithe barn and swannery.  (9 miles 4 hours). q       Day 5 Dorchester: Inland via Dorset Ridgeway path to Maiden Castle, a massive ancient earthwork fortress sacked by the Romans in the 1st C A.D. and Dorchester (11 miles 5 hours). q       Day 6 Dorchester: Optional walk from Dorchester to the famous village of Milton Abbas (12 miles, 6 hours) with its two long curved rows of thatched cottages facing each other across the village green. On the way you walk past the isolated cottage at Higher Bockhampton where Thomas Hardy was born (limited public opening) and the village of Puddletown (the setting of Weatherbury in’ Far from the Madding Crowd'). Bus or taxi from Puddletown (6 miles, 3 hours from Dorchester) or Milton Abbas back to Dorchester; fares not included in tour price but we provide bus timetables and a local taxi number. If the weather is unfavourable there is plenty to do and see in Dorchester itself, with Roman remains and a good local museum. q       Day 7: While your baggage goes direct from Dorchester to Lulworth Cove, you return by train (hourly service, journey time 10 minutes) to the coast at the lively resort of Weymouth and then follow the Dorset Coast Path eastwards along the brilliant white chalk cliffs from Weymouth to Lulworth Cove. On the way you pass the natural arches of Bats Head and Durdle Door and the long abandoned medieval village of Ringstead. q       Day 8: End of tour. When/if you can tear yourself away from the scenic wonders of Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole you will need to order a taxi from Lulworth Cove to Wool train station for your journey back to London. There is also a bus service from Lulworth Cove to Wool, Wareham and Swanage.

Ask for a Sherpa brochure for more details.