We are the Dorset 4050 Ramblers. We are a friendly, mixed-age group of walkers.
This walk is a mixture of pastoral and woodland walking, on good paths and bridleways that are generally dry with a minimal amount of quiet road walking. The elevation is one of a gradual ascent to Larmer Tree and a gradual descent to Stubhampton with a gentle ascent back to our start point.
We commence our walk in the quiet village of Chettle renowned for its village store, and walk through pastures to reach Farnham Woods. Here we may see herds of deer, in and around the woods. We continue to the curtilage of the grounds of Larmer Tree House and Gardens created by Colonel Pitt Rivers in 1880 when he inherited the Rushmore Estate, the Pleasure Gardens have been continuously open to the public since 1899.
We turn West and make our way into Ashmore Wood where we will take our lunch break. We will continue into Stubhampton Bottom via Stony Bottom to reach the village of Stubhampton. We continue along the side of the valley to Tarrant Gunville and then gradually ascend back to our starting point passing Chettle House on our return.
To book a place on the walk please contact Tim by SMS or Whatsapp 07825773363.
There are a small number of stiles on the walk toward the end, and unless it has been raining the walk is fairly dry underfoot except some of the wooded sections in Farnham Woods. These can be muddy after rain. Boots or sturdy trail shoes are recommended and waterproofs may be required . We walk at a fairly brisk pace but will stop for water breaks as needed, and lunch, so please bring a packed lunch with you.
There is a limited amount of parking in the village around the Village hall or considerate parking in the main street. Car sharing is available, please contact leader who can facilitate. Please do not park in the shop car park.
There are toilets at the shop near the start (for customers) and optional after walk refreshments may be taken at the Chettle shop barn.
No dogs please except assistance dogs.
The walk will start at Chettle Village shop but parking which is limited is at the village hall car park. Travelling from Blandford on A354 toward Salisbury ,pass through Tarrant Hinton and after 2km take the next turn left signposted Chettle (there is a prominent sign to Chettle Shop). The road is narrow with passing places for about 1km, you will see the shop on your right. Continue about 150m to a left turn where there is a small area for parking on the road and more on the other side of a fence outside the village hall. Please do no block the entrance to the farm. The Village Shop opens at 10am and closes at 4pm.
