Wikiloc | Wessex Ridgeway - Part 1 - Lyme Regis to Hindon Trail

Download

Trail photos

Photo ofWessex Ridgeway - Part 1 - Lyme Regis to Hindon

Author

John P

2,527 98 694

See more trails from this author

Trail stats

Distance: 83.18 mi
Elevation gain: 9,678 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 9,265 ft
Max elevation: 902 ft
TrailRank: 53
Min elevation: 4 ft
Trail type: One Way

Time: 4 days 22 hours 59 minutes
Coordinates: 8573
Uploaded: March 1, 2022
Recorded: January 2022

1 Clap

near Lyme Regis, England (United Kingdom)

Viewed 231 times, downloaded 3 times

Trail photos

Itinerary description

The Wessex Ridgeway extends from Lyme Regis in Dorset on the south west coast of England to Marlborough in Wiltshire. Although following the outcrop of the chalk, this soft white limestone is rarely seen being covered with grass, farmland and woods. In general the trail follows higher ground with some good views. Archetypal English villages are visited with duck ponds, flint walled churches, thatched cottages and pubs with wooden beams. Bed & Breakfast type accommodation is available at Inns, although at a price. Campsites were closed when I was walking in January and February. I wild camped two nights in woodland when other lodgings were unavailable.

The track of Part 2 of the Wessex Ridgeway can be found at https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/wessex-ridgeway-part-2-hindon-to-avebury-96632945

View more external

Waypoints

Beaminster Coop

After Lyme Regis, Beaminster is the first place with shops. The Coop was open early.

Bulbarrow Hill and hill fort

Another Hill fort with a cross at the top.

Coney Castle Hillfort

The first of many Iron Age hill forts on the Wessex Ridgeway. Hill forts consist of an area enclosed by at least one bank, and often a ditch, broken only by an entrance way often protected by additional earthworks. As the name suggests they were built on high points which commanded an excellent view of any approaching hostile tribes. Coney Castle was not the best example, largely hidden in trees.

Dorsetshire gap

A place where five historic tracks join, there is a box with a book to leave messages in.

Fox Inn, Ansty

Nice village pub with food.

Giants Head, Campsite

One of the campsites on the Wessex Ridgeway, closed when I passed in January.

Greyhound Inn, Sydling St Nicholas

I stayed, drank and ate at the historic Greyhound Inn in Sydling St Nicholas.

Hambledon Hill hill fort

Another hill fort, just off the trail.

Lambert Castle Hillfort

Another hill fort, partly hidden by trees.

Lewesdon Hill

Tree covered hill covered with trees, there is a hill fort on it somewhere, but it was dark when I arrived to camp and dark when I left in the morning.

Old Wardour Castle

A ruined 14th century castle, destroyed in the English Civil War. New Wardour Castle replaced in in the 18th century.

Pilsden Pen hillfort

Another hill fort.

Pleck Barn B&B

Handy B&B.

Texaco Spar at Maiden Newton

Maiden Newton is a village with old houses with walls of flint and brick, a church, pub, coffee shop closed when I passed, village shop and a petrol station with a shop which had a coffee machine.

The Cobb, Lyme Regis

The Cobb in the town of Lyme Regis is a stone breakwater famous as it features in Jane Austen's novel "Persuasion" as well as John Fowles' "French Lieutenant's Women". Lyme Regis is where the Wessex Ridgeway (walker's route) starts. It is also known for its fossils, especially the Ichthyosaur discovered by Mary Anning.