Photo: Keith Blandamer
Photo: Keith Blandamer

Exploring the countryside around Broadmayne

Broadmayne is very fortunate to be situated on the edge of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, only a few miles from the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and within the countryside brought to life in the novels of Thomas Hardy.

Our extensive network of public footpaths and bridleways mean that you can explore this countryside on foot, on bicycle or on horseback, without having to get into a car.

One of the positive things to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, with so many restrictions on travel over a whole year, is that many people have discovered the pleasures of walking and cycling and the positive effect connecting with nature has on health and wellbeing.

To help residents and visitors alike to make the most of our local paths Broadmayne Parish Council, with the help of local residents in checking the routes, has prepared a series of walks around the village. In addition, one local resident, who is a keen mountain biker, has prepared some longer off-road cycling routes.
All walks and rides begin at the crossroads in the centre of the village. Descriptions and maps can be accessed from this page.

Walks prepared by Janet Davis (BPC’s Rights of Way Officer), mapping assistance from Cllr. Richard Macer-Wright, routes checked by various parish councillors, Gary Biles and Barry Eason
Off-road cycle routes by Gary Biles

When out and about in the countryside don’t forget the Countryside Code.

Countryside Code

Respect everyone

• be considerate to those living in, working in and enjoying the countryside
• leave gates and property as you find them
• do not block access to gateways or driveways when parking
• be nice, say hello, share the space
• follow local signs and keep to marked paths unless wider access is available

Protect the environment

• take your litter home – leave no trace of your visit
• take care with BBQs and do not light fires
• always keep dogs under control and in sight
• dog poo – bag it and bin it – any public waste bin will do
• care for nature – do not cause damage or disturbance

Enjoy the outdoors

• check your route and local conditions
• plan your adventure – know what to expect and what you can do
• enjoy your visit, have fun, make a memory

 

For information about walking in West Dorset beyond Broadmayne click here.
For information about cycling in West Dorset beyond Broadmayne click here.
For information on other healthy activities in Dorset green space click here.
For information on the Dorset Health Walk programme click here.
For information about the maintenance of public rights of way click here.
To report a rights of way problem directly to Dorset Council click here.

 

Our walking routes:

For each route there is a PDF which contains a route description and a map. Later we hope to be able to add .GPX files which you would be able to download to your smart phone.

1: Osmington Drove to Half Moon Coppice (50-60mins   2.5 miles/4Km)
Download the description and map.           Download the .GPX file
2: Osmington Drove to the Bank Barrow (up to 2hrs   5.5 miles/9Km)
Download the description and map.           Download the .GPX file
3: To the Wash Ponds and Back (50-60mins   2.4 miles/3.9Km)
Download the description and map.           Download the .GPX file
4: West Knighton and Back (50-60mins   2.5 miles/4Km)
Download the description and map.           Download the .GPX file
5: Bramble Drove and South Drove (80-90mins   3 miles/4.8Km)
Download the description and map.           Download the .GPX file
6: A walk to the west (80-90mins   3 miles/4.8Km)
Download the description and map.           Download the .GPX file
7: The Poxwell Circuit (2.5hrs   6 miles/9.7Km)
Download the description and map.           Download the .GPX file
8: West Knighton via Watercress Beds (1.5-2hrs   4.3 miles/7Km)
Download the description and map.           Download the .GPX file
9: The Culliford Tree and Whitcombe (2.5hrs   7.8 miles/12Km)
Download the description and map.           Download the .GPX file

Disclaimer
Walkers follow these routes entirely at their own risk. The Parish Council takes no responsibility for the state of the paths or changes to the paths made by landowners. Obstructions and other problems should be reported directly to Dorset Council (see above).

Our mountain bike routes:

These are routes that Gary Biles uses regularly when riding from home (in Broadmayne) and wherever possible they use bridleways, off road tracks and very quiet country lanes. The routes can be mixed up and there are plenty of options to shorten or lengthen each ride.

1: Broadmayne east route
Download the description and the map.            Download the .GPX file
2: Broadmayne west route
Download the description and the map.            Download the .GPX file
3: Broadmayne north-west route
Download the description and the map.            Download the .GPX file
4: Broadmayne north-east route
Download the description and the map.            Download the .GPX file
5: Broadmayne south route
Download the description and the map.            Download the .GPX file

Summary

• 20-25 miles in length
• For the fit and confident rider
• Have 1500ft-2500ft of climbing
• Have some steep descents and climbs
• Can be very muddy in wet conditions
• Some technical single track on rocky/chalky/muddy tracks
• Require a mountain bike or at the very least a bike with good hybrid tyres
• Food and drink stops are noted on the route, but riders should take their own
• Riders should have the equipment and knowledge to be able to make repairs on the trail (e.g. punctures or chain breaks) at some points on these rides you will be a very long walk from home!
• Riders should take maps with them. The instructions are correct at the time of writing, but conditions, circumstances and trail access may change over time. Phone apps are excellent, but “Murphy’s Law” says that when you need it most your phone will have zero power! So unless you know the route always have a paper back up and even if you do know the route having a means to work out “bail out” options is always useful.
• The OS Landranger 194 (1:50,000) or OS Explorer OL15 (1:25,000) cover almost all of the routes.
• The blue route lines on the maps have been drawn slightly off of the tracks/roads so that the bridleways and roads can clearly be seen. Therefore if you are using the .GPX files your device may show you being slightly off of the actual track that you are following.

Disclaimer
Riders follow these routes entirely at their own risk. The author takes no responsibility for the state of the trails or changes to the trails made by land owners.
If you are thinking of taking children on these routes then it is recommended that you ride the route first unaccompanied so that you can make a proper assessment of the ride before taking them along.
Gary is happy to answer questions if you have them or amend routes with the latest information, just e-mail him at gary.biles@virgin.net

The Parish Council would welcome feedback on all the routes. Do the descriptions need updating? Do you have any extra information about the history and natural history of our locality we could add? And if you have ideas for walks (or cycle routes, or routes for horse riders) which we could add to this page please let us know at broadmayne@dorset-aptc.gov.uk