Walk at Badbury Rings and The Oaks
An opportunity to explore this fascinating area with its Iron Age hillfort, rich in history, flora and fauna, and some excellent views across the Dorset countryside.
Near to
Kingston LacyStart point
Heron Drove car park, grid ref: ST966023Trail information
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Heron Drove car park, grid ref: ST966023
Stage 1
From the car park proceed along the beech avenue in the Wimborne direction.
Stage 2
Turn left, taking the track past the entrance to Lodge Farm and continue straight on the grass track to the squeeze stile. The grassed path follows the hedge line, passing a strip of woodland on the right, and continues as a steady climb in a northerly direction to High Wood.
Stage 3
Take the left turning to skirt the southern edge of High Wood, now going towards the enclosure of the Badbury Rings Iron Age hillfort.
Stage 4
At the track junction with Heron Drove, turn right and drop down towards woodland and King Down Farm. Alternatively, for a shorter walk over Badbury Rings, go through the metal pedestrian gate into the enclosure. Pick up the remainder of the walk from between waymarks 6 and 7.
Stage 5
Upon reaching the intersection of tracks at the woodland edge of The Oaks, turn left at a fingerpost marked Sterley Bushes. Follow the track along the side of The Oaks to the next intersection and turn left back towards Badbury Rings.
Stage 6
At the intersection turn left back towards Badbury Rings. At the edge of the enclosure to the Rings go through the push gate and continue straight on, keeping the fence on your right until you reach the car park enclosure. There is a linear raised section of ground which was once the Dorchester Old Sarum Roman road. Carry on through the car park towards the beech avenue.
Stage 7
Turn left out of the car park and return along the line of the beech avenue to the Heron Drove car park.
End point
Heron Drove car park, grid ref: ST966023
Trail map
Badbury Rings and The Oaks walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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