Walk Dorset.com
Walks, Pubs and Places of Interest from Across Dorset
Walk
Fontmell to Melbury Downs
...A quick circuit through gorgeous countryside that will forever be associated with Thomas Hardy's Wessex novels. It does include some steeply sloping paths and uneven surfaces, which need to be taken carefully when wet...
Distance:
Time:
Difficulty:
Start Point:
4.7 miles
1hr 30 mins
Easy
Spread Eagle Hill car park SP7 0DT
Pub/Restaurant:
1. Turn left out of Spread Eagle Hill car park and follow the road north towards Shaftesbury for about 300m.
2. Walk through the gate and continue straight on, following the fence line towards Melbury Beacon. Drop down into the saddle and continue straight on up Melbury Hill.
3. Once on the Beacon take in the stunning 360-degree view of the Blackmore Vale, Vale of Wardour and Shaftesbury.
4. From the Beacon head left over the stile, taking a more southerly route back down, keeping the fence to your left as you descend.
5. Head along the top of Compton Down in a southerly direction keeping the fence on your left at all times.
6. Step over a stile (hidden within the thick hedge) and step down on to the track.
7. Turn left up the track in a westerly direction which will bring you back to the car park.
8. Once back at the car park, you can cut the walk short or continue on to Fontmell Down (1 mile from here).
9. Head straight out across the downs and cross over the cross dyke (a bank and ditch).
10. Turn left and walk through the gate. Head left, back up Fontmell Down, in the direction of the main Shaftesbury/Blandford Road.
11. Finally you will come to a small wooden pedestrian gate on your left. Go through the gate and follow the path along the road which will eventually bring you back to the car park.
