The Dorset Holiday Specialists

This walk begins at Bulbarrow Hill which, at 899 ft (274 m) is one of the highest in Dorset. The route passes through classic Dorset downland on ancient trackways.

Bulbarrow offers some of the best panoramic views in Dorset, stretching across the Blackmore Vale before descending into the wooded valley leading to Milton Abbas, a unique and picturesque village built in the 1770s by architect Sir William Chambers and landscape designer Capability Brown. The entire village was relocated by Lord Milton to improve the view from his new mansion, Milton Abbey. This is now a private school but the abbey is generally open to visitors and worth a detour. The row of uniform, thatched cottages makes a very picturesque setting for the (also thatched!) Hambro Arms.

The next place of interest is the manor house at Bingham's Melcombe which, whilst not open to the public, is one of Dorset’s finest examples of 16th-century architecture. Your route passes through its grounds, taking in the small, peaceful church of St. Andrew.

From here you climb through farmland to the Dorset Gap, a historic crossing point of five ancient tracks, once used by travellers, drovers and traders. It is considered a crossroads of old Dorset and still has a remarkably remote feel. Look out for the box where you can add your comments to the visitors book.

From the Dorset Gap, continue south up Lyscombe Hill, a high ridge with views over the Lyscombe Valley, part of the Dorset Downs. This stretch offers excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting, including hares, kestrels and butterflies. Lyscombe Farm has recently bought by The Dorset Wildlife Trust and is now being managed as a wildlife-friendly reserve.

Finally, you descend to the small village of Plush, set in a remote and peaceful valley and, most importantly, with the welcoming Brace of Pheasants pub, a good place to end the day.