Melbury Beacon walk
Melbury Down was bought in memory of English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy, to protect the landscape in which his novels of the Blackmore Vale are set. On this longer walk you will discover an open expanse of flowery downland, excellent butterfly populations and magnificent views.
Map
Start:
Car park at the top of Spread Eagle Hill, grid ref ST886187
1
Turn left out of the car park and follow the road north to Shaftesbury for about 300 metres.
The Old radar station
Hastily constructed during the Second World War and demolished soon after, a radar station stood near the base of Melbury Beacon. An area of grass-covered bricks and masonry is now all that remains.
2
Walk through the gate and continue straight on, following the fence line towards Melbury Beacon. Drop down into 'the saddle' and continue straight up Melbury Down.
Melbury Beacon
Melbury Beacon rises high above the Blackmore Vale, 263 metres above sea level, and offers spectacular views all round. To the north is the Saxon town of Shaftesbury. The hill was in the ownership of Shaftesbury Abbey for nearly 800 years and in 1588 it was the site of an Armada Beacon. Walk here late at night in July and August and you may find glow worms (actually a type of snail-eating beetle) in the grassland.
3
Once on the Beacon, take in the magnificent 360 degree view of the Blackmore Vale, Vale of Wardour and Shaftesbury.
Butterflies
Sheltered, sunny and rich in wildflowers, the south-facing slopes of Melbury Beacon are ideal habitat for a variety of chalk downland butterflies. The warm, thin soils of summer are home to Adonis blue, grizzled skipper, Chalkhill blue, marbled white and many others. Across the whole Fontmell and Melbury Estate, an amazing 34 different species of butterfly have been recorded.
4
From the Beacon, head left over the stile, taking a more southerly route along the fence until you join the path back to the main road and to the car park where you originally started.
End:
Car park at the top of Spread Eagle Hill, grid ref ST886187