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Walk at Pamphill Green and Moor, Kingston Lacy Circular Walk
...A gentle walk through the beautiful unspoilt village of Pamphill with its wide variety of flora and fauna....
Distance:
Time:
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Start Point:
1.8 Miles
1 Hour
Easy
Pamphill Green Car Park BH21 4ED
Pub/Restaurant:
1.Walk past Pamphill School, keeping it to your left following the grass track.
Pamphill School was originally paid for by the will of Roger Gillingham of the Middle Temple in 1698; it was a school and almshouses. Roger Gillingham made his money in business in the City of London and was born in Pamphill. Described by some historians as a successful merchant, he owned considerable shares in a chemical works producing chemicals for textile processing and saltpetre - an essential ingredient in the production of gunpowder.
2. Pass through the squeeze stile on the left, adjacent to the school, onto Pamphill Moor. Drop down over the moor via the kissing gate and boardwalk to the woodland at the bottom known as Hart’s Copse.
This area is a rich habitat for flora. Prominent species include the southern marsh and common spotted orchids. Not unexpectedly, there are also numerous species of butterfly including large white, gate keeper, peacock, small skipper and common carpet.
3. Enter Hart’s Copse via the squeeze stile at the woodland edge and there is an option to take a circular walk through the coppice in either direction.
Deer, fox and badger take advantage of the cover in the valley; earths and setts are ‘shared’ by rabbits. In early spring, the vivid yellow of kingcups contrasts with the more subdued yellow of primrose; in late spring there is a carpet of bluebells.
4. There are further boardwalks within the woodland over wet flushes; leave Hart’s Copse through the squeeze stile at this point. Turn right and cross the pasture into the depression and through another squeeze stile to climb the slope towards the picturesque cottage at the top. The waymarked path skirts the cottage, 627 Hillbutts, to the left. Proceed through the edge of the front garden via a stile. Leave the property via a communal driveway to the B3082 Wimborne/Blandford road.
In Hillbutts you will see many fine examples of 17th-century thatched timber-framed houses. The timber-framed structure is infilled with wattle and daub.
5. Once you have reached the main road turn right, taking the pavement for 350yd (320m) until a footpath is encountered on the right through a metal kissing gate. The surface here is firm and continues over a bridge into Hart’s Glen.
6. A path to the right down over the slope will be encountered. Pass through the squeeze stile at the bottom, descend steps to a brook crossed by a bridge and carry straight on up the slope, passing through another squeeze stile on the way. The path meanders to the top of the slope, with grassland supporting moisture-loving plants, including rushes and sedges.
7. At the top of the hill you will be under an electricity pylon. Turn left past a dew pond until you reach a fingerpost adjacent to a thatched cottage at the road edge, which confirms the continued presence of The Stour Valley Way. Here, turn left for a drink at The Vine Inn before returning. Turn right and follow the road to Pamphill School and the car park.
Pamphill Green was known as 'Fayres Green' because of the fairs held every September from the 13th century. These fairs were where livestock, wines, beers, food, clothing and domestic articles were sold. To the south of the green there is a dense screen of trees and bushes which largely conceals Pamphill Manor. The white-painted gateway reveals more of this fine 17th-century house, which is of outstanding architectural importance. At one time it was the home of the steward to Sir Ralph Bankes of Kingston Lacy, Matthew Beethall.