Walking in the footsteps of our ancestors - free guided walk
Join our expert volunteers for a 3.5 hour guided walk that provides the opportunity to learn about one of the UK’s most significant ancient landscapes.
- Booking essential
- Free event
Walking with our expert guides we will explore a section of landscape surrounding Hardy Monument.
Starting and finishing at the Monument, we will follow a route which takes in fantastic views of the Ridgeway, Jurassic Coast, valleys, chalk downland, and farms.
We will study the barrows on the landscape as well as identifying the more recent industrial archaeology that can be found in the hills we walk through.
If we were to walk at a steady pace with no stops this walk takes 2 hours and 15 minutes (it is 8.5km). We will factor in rest breaks and will be pausing to talk about the landscape so please expect this walk to take 3.5 hours.
Much of this walk has a focus on the barrows and hillforts which we see in the landscape around us, if the day is foggy or unclear there may be some elements we have to miss out.
Due to the fact that there could be cows and sheep in the landscape we are walking and because some land we are walking over is privately owned we ask that dogs are not brought on this walk.
Times
The basics
- Booking details
Call 03442491895
- Meeting point
Meet outside the Hardy Monument. Hardy Monument, Black Down, Portesham, Dorset, DT2 9HY
- What to bring and wear
The landscape is exposed so wear the correct clothing for the weather and good, sturdy shoes. Long trousers are recommended due to a risk of tics and overgrown hedges. Bring water and snacks.
- Accessibility
The ground is very uneven which is likely to be muddy in places if there has been rain. Some pathways could be overgrown so we recommend long trousers.
- Other
The walk is likely to be around 3.5 hours with some hills to climb and uneven footpaths. Due to the amount of cows and sheep on this walk, and because we have gained special permission from some landowners to walk on some private land, we ask that dogs are not brought.