Shillingstone & Okeford Hil

Edward Griffiths enjoys a late summer walk of contrasts and sensational views

- Edward Griffiths

FROM Okeford Fitzpaine and the Stour meadows, there are superb views to Hambledon Hill. From Okeford Hill, there are sensational views to Melbury Beacon and Stourhead in the north and Pilsdon Pen and Lambert’s Castle in the west.

THE WALK

1 Leave through the pedestrian exit, cross into the ‘No-entry’ road and walk to the A357 Sturminster Newton road. Cross right/left into Hambledon Farm entrance. Take the left-fork hedged track - a bridleway - for ¾ mile, passing gates with views to Shillingstone Hill chalk pit. Emerging into a gated farmyard area, continue through, sweeping right/left past Mill Farm. Reaching hedged Shillingstone Lane, signed back ‘Footpath’, turn right.

2 Immediately after left Cookwell waterworks, take the left footpath signed path into a wild pond area. Cross to the footpath-stile into a field and walk up towards Okeford Fitzpaine’s St Mary’s Church. Over the top stile/gate, continue to the road gateway. Facing the church, turn left up Back Lane, bending right and ascending past houses. Up to the facing ‘Private - Hazel Hill Farm’ gate, bend left and keep climbing the sunken track. At left Heart of Oaks Stables entrance, there are superb views to Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill. Up to the next fork, go through the facing bridleway-gate and start ascending Okeford Hill.