We are the West Mendip Walkers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Martin C.
West Mendip Walkers moderate 10 mile circular walk from Ludwell Memorial Hall (SP7 0PL) just East of Shaftesbury. Heading NNE initially steadily upwards to Windwhistle Corner along farm tracks, then turning NE through woods down to the villages of Donhead St Mary and then Donhead St Andrew through open farmland. Joining the "Wessex Ridgeway" on farm tracks leads us to Old Wardour Castle, where we will stop for a packed lunch. These ruins are owned by English Heritage with an entrance fee of £8 to £9 or free to English Heritage members. There are no facilities outside of the paid entrance, just a grassed area and woods. This may be busy at Easter. After lunch we head NW to pass by the front of New Wardour Castle which is a Country House built in the late 1700s, then SW across open grassland to Donhead St Andrew where we join the Wessex Ridgeway again, through Milkwell then rising back up along farm tracks to the start point. 1100feet of ascent in total.
Views of Old Wardour Castle
Park at Ludwell Memorial Hall (SP7 0PL) against the fence on the right-hand side. Please make a small donation to the hall for the use of their car park.
