Walking Guide Books – Southern England

Five different books with guided walks around Dorset by Anne-Marie Edwards

Dorset is a walker’s county. The pace of life is tranquil and unhurried and the countryside is outstandingly beautiful and varied.

It is said that after walking in Dorset you will have seen three quarters of England! As you follow the tempting footpaths and quiet lanes described in these books you will find reminders of the landscape Thomas Hardy immortalised in his novels: villages and farms built of golden stone cupped in the downs, magnificent views from inland and coastal hills and lush river valleys rich in wildlife. In early spring the lanes are bordered with snowdrops and in May woods and copses are fragrant with bluebells.

Forming the heart of Dorset is a great range of chalk downland threaded by narrow valleys carved by the country’s many rivers and streams. Walks take you to some of the delightful villages that cluster along their banks including Ansty in the shade of Bulbarrow Hill, Nettlecombe tucked away in a remote valley in the west of the county and Cerne Abbas well known for its giant. North of the downs, rambles lead you to the enchanting Vale of Blackmoor, with its gently undulating landscape, high hedged lanes and flower-filled meadows.

Other walks explore Dorset’s famous Jurassic coast and visit Abbotsbury noted for its swannery, Osmington Mills overlooking a smugglers’ cove and the isles of Purbeck and Portland.

There are walks to suit everyone – shorter pub and village strolls between 2 and 5 miles and an exciting new book containing adventurous walks between 7 and 11 miles in length. All the walks are circular and the directions are accompanied by maps.
And Dorset pubs are famous for the warmth of their welcome and their excellent food and drink!

Pub Walks along the Dorset Coast Path
Pub Strolls in Dorset
Village Walks in Dorset
Waterside Walks in Dorset
Adventurous Pub Walks in Dorset