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Badbury Rings and The Oaks, Kingston Lacy Circular Walk
...An opportunity to explore this fascinating area with the Iron Age hill fort, rich in history, flora and fauna. There are some excellent views across the Dorset countryside....
Distance:
Time:
Difficulty:
Start Point:
4 Miles
1 Hour 45 Mins
Easy
Heron Drove Car Park, Badbury Rings BH21 4DZ
Pub/Restaurant:
1. From the car park proceed along the beech avenue in the Wimborne direction.
This beech avenue began life in 1835, when 731 trees were planted (365 or 366 on either side of the newly built road). The road was created as a turnpike, or toll road, for the financial benefit of the landowner, explorer and Dorset aristocrat William John Bankes. The avenue stretches for 2.5 miles (4km).
2. Turn left taking the track past the entrance to Lodge Farm and continue straight on the grass track to the squeeze stile. The grassed path follows the hedge line, passing a strip of woodland on the right, and continues as a steady climb in a northerly direction to High Wood.
Lodge Farm, now a private residence, is the only medieval building that remains on the estate. The earliest parts of this former hunting lodge date from the late 14th century. The Roman road from Poole Harbour to Badbury Rings passes close by.
3. Take the left turning to skirt the southern edge of High Wood, now going towards the enclosure of the Badbury Rings Iron Age hill fort.
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.
4. At the track junction with Heron Drove, turn right and drop down towards woodland and King Down Farm. Alternatively for a shorter walk over Badbury Rings go through the metal pedestrian gate into the enclosure. Pick up the remainder of the walk from between waymarks 6 and 7.
5. Upon reaching the intersection of tracks at the woodland edge of The Oaks, turn left at a fingerpost marked Sterley Bushes. Follow the track along the side of The Oaks to the next intersection and turn left back towards Badbury Rings.
The Oaks is an ancient woodland planted at the beginning of the 14th century and formerly referred to as Sterley Bushes. It has been pollarded to produce timber. On the east side of the wood is the Roman road.
6. At the intersection turn left back towards Badbury Rings. At the edge of the enclosure to the Rings go through the push gate and continue straight on, keeping the fence on your right until you reach the car park enclosure. There is a linear raised section of ground which was once the Dorchester Old Sarum Roman road. Carry on through the car park towards the beech avenue.
7. Turn left out of the car park and return along the line of the beech avenue to the Heron Drove car park.
As you exit the car park, on the left you will see three Bronze Age burial mounds. The Bronze Age ran from 2,200 to 800 BC. Over the Kingston Lacy estate, there is evidence of more than 100 Bronze Age barrows.