So cheers for a sunny start, with clear blue skies, as I set out this morning from Sherborne. I stocked up with lunch, then rejoined the path I'd quickly tested last night, past the sheep and hopping round their deposits.
The path climbs to give a good retrospect of Sherborne, then wriggles through woods, emerging as a good field track with fine views of Sherborne Castle - the stately home version, built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, and family home of the Digby family since 1617 - they picked it up as Raleigh was imprisoned.
Today a trot round the house and its Capability Brown gardens will set you back around 20 quid each, which might explain why the paths and gates through the 15,000 acre Digby estate are all well maintained.
At the hamlet of Haydon I left the estate through huge wrought iron gates and took to Huish Lane, a pleasant up and down track with a fine last look back to Sherborne and its castle, then joined Rue Lane to reach a junction just north of Stourton Caundle, which sounds as if it belongs in a TV series.
Another couple of miles took me to Stalbridge, a large village with very little that stands out.
Likewise Marnhull, another couple of miles on, and at the top of a long draggy hill.
From there I took to wriggling Love Lane, edged with large and mostly new houses, but offering a place to rest for lunch - and a distant view south to Hambledon Hill, with its ancient hillfort.
On then to Todber, with its fishing lakes, and Stour Row, where a tiny chapel has become the village hall.
The little church, built in 1867, closed in 2015 because of falling congregation numbers. It has planning permission for conversion to a private residence but still awaits a buyer.
From Stour Row the road wandered on for a mile or so before offering a clear warning.
It wasn't kidding - the slog up to St James's church was a grind at this stage of the day.
From there, though, just one little street led to the foot of Gold Hill, Shaftesbury's best known gem even though it took a 1970s TV ad to make its name.
A steep climb up the cobbles led to the town centre, about a fifteen minute walk from my stopping place tonight. The extra distance to here is, at least, a few yards cut from tomorrow's journey into Wiltshire, to Salisbury.
No comments:
Post a Comment