Parish Walk 2

6. Go straight ahead for 20 yds and turn left on to a grassy track going north and slightly uphill (pictures). In 400 yds, pass through a small gate and pass a dewpond on your left - keep well away from the boggy area around the pond.

Pass through a 5 bar gate beside a National Trust sign (PICTURE 1 looks back toward the pond) and turn right on to a heavily rutted level track (PICTURE 2) which can be very wet in winter - 3.8 m (804 087). Look for views of Thomas Hardy's Blackmoor Vale on the left and Hambledon Hill straight ahead (PICTURE 3).

Continue along the track for just over half a mile to Okeford Hill picnic site (on the left just before you meet the road) - 4.5 m (812 093) and 750 ft above sea level (PICTURE 4).

1. Gate from Ringmoor to ridge track (looking back)

2. Level track looking east

3. View to Child Okeford and Hambledon Hill

4. Okeford Hill picnic site

7. Leave the picnic site and head for the road. Turn left to see the Okeford Hill Jubilee Beacon in a few yards (PICTURE 1).

Return past the picnic site entrance and continue downhill for 50 yds. Turn left at a marker post under an oak tree (PICTURE 2). This track eventually leads to Blandford Forest.

Go along the track for 250 yds and turn right at a Forestry Commission sign - 4.6 m (815 093). Follow a grassy track with a wood on the left and a field hedge on the right to a T junction. Turn sharp right and go through a gate into a field - 4.8 m (817 091).

Keep close to the left hand hedge and continue gently downhill toward the end of the field.

There are fine views of the Purbecks to the South on a clear day.

1. Jubilee Beacon and signboard - Okeford Hill (larger file for detail)

2. Left turn from road on to track leading to Blandford Forest

8. Enter the wood through a metal gate beside some dense holly trees - 5.2 m (820 086) - PICTURE 1.

Continue along the woodland track for over half a mile to a crossroad - 5.9 m (829 077). Leave the field at a metal gate and immediately enter the next field straight ahead through another metal gate.

Go straight ahead to a similar gate at the end of the field where you enter another wood (PICTURE 2) - 6.1 m (831 074). This takes you on to the Jubilee trail along a wider track. Continue ahead to another cross roads - 6.3 m (833 070) with dense woodland in front.

Then turn sharp right along a forestry track with a gentle ascent keeping the woodland on your left and a hedge on your right.

1. Gate to Bonsley Wood

2. Gate to Field Grove