1. From the car park follow the bridleway known as Heron Drove to the north through the vehicle barrier. A gentle climb up this ancient track way, with glimpses of Badbury Rings to the left, takes the walker to High Wood at the top of the rise.

This ancient woodland has evidence of early Romano-British or possibly Neolithic activities.

2. Carry straight on, dropping down towards King Down Farm and The Oaks with the arable field known as Batts Bed on the left.

3. At the junction of the tracks at the bottom, once again carry straight on the bridleway towards Witchampton and continue past King Down Farm. The sign for Sterley Bushes at this point refers to the medieval name for The Oaks.

The Oaks, planted in the 14th century, contains an important collection of veteran pollarded oaks. This area is being managed by the National Trust, utilising grazing and natural regeneration to maintain the site in order to protect important ecological features. On the east side of the wood, the Roman road can be easily seen.

4. When the northern edge of the woodland is reached, which is also the Kingston Lacy's estate boundary, follow the bridleway to the left, skirting The Oaks to arrive at a cross-path.

5.
At this cross-path choose the bridleway towards the Badbury Rings hill fort and drop down into this enclosure through a gate. Follow the fence line to the public car park. Leave this to return to the Beech Avenue past burial mounds on the left.

Badbury Rings is an area of great historical interest with evidence of Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman occupation. It is mostly known for the Iron Age hill fort with its three rings; the innermost ring probably dating from 500 or 600 BC. There are Roman roads passing by and Bronze Age burial mounds.

6. Turn left out of the car park and return along the line of the Beech Avenue to the Heron Drove car park. This is the eastern sector of the Beech Avenue which was planted in 1835.

The Beech Avenue began life in 1835 when William John Bankes planted 731 trees (365 or 366 on either side of the newly built road). It was created as a turnpike, or toll road, for the financial benefit of the landowner, explorer and Dorset aristocrat William John Bankes. The gaps in the 2.5-mile long Beech Avenue are now being filled with hornbeam replacement trees. These trees are more suited for the predicted English climate.