Shaftesbury May w/e 20th - 22nd
It was a very happy happy weekend despite the sadness that our leaderene was unable to join us due to contracting the dreaded plague
The friday walk was around the southern area of Shaftesbury. We avoided Gold hill as our descent arriving in the lanes via shooters Hill From there, we walked through woods, fields and lanes ending up in the allotments around the |St James area, follewed by a steep ascent back up to the town to see the Quakers meeting house, the Remains of the Abbey amongst other delights
A slightly chaotic dinner was enjoyed in the Mitre
The saturday walk divided into two A longer walk over hills and dales for the strong and a shorter walk around the two Wardour castles for those wanting a more leisurely pace We all met for lunch at the Forester Arms in Donhead St Andrews then set off together towards Donhead St Marys. The stronger group continued back to Shaftesbury and the leisurely gropup made their wat back to St Andrews after an introduction to Mercury on a pedestal
Dinner was a very jolly affair in the upper room of the Grosvenor Arms Hotel
Sunday was a walk in the North Westerly region of Shaftesbury Again with wonderful views looking towards Sturhead and other delights
Shaftesbury is a Saxon hill town founded by King Alfred and more recently featured in some of the novels of Thomas Hardy. Its hilltop position gives it fine views in all directions of the beautiful Dorset countryside and the Blackmore Vale. The town itself has many interesting ancient buildings, and of course the famous Gold Hill.
Theres is some glorious walking in the undulating countryside around Shaftesbury. We have found some beautiful walks all starting and finishing in the town. It is not too hilly though there are some stiles and mud. The Saturday walk will be about 10 miles, but it will be possible to walk for half the day. If you do not want long, strenuous walks there are many possibilities of visiting historic places in the area, undertaking short self-guided walks, or just pottering round Shaftesbury which is a charming town with two small museums.
Shaftesbury is about 2 1/2 hours from London by car. The nearest railway station, about 10-15 minutes drive away, is Gillingham (Dorset) from where there are taxis and a bus service to Shaftesbury.