Shillingstone Round Village Trail comprises two main routes: RED and BLUE.
The RED route concentrates on the north-eastern end of the village and is 1.5 miles long, while the BLUE route takes in the south-western end and connects to the WESSEX RIDGEWAY adding a further 1.25 miles to the complete circular route. The Dorset Trailway is featured in both routes.
RED: A good place to start is the STATION. There are parking facilities by the railway bridge on the Child Okeford road about 500 yards north of the station. The ramp by the bridge gives access to the Shillingstone section of the Dorset Trailway. Follow the Trailway down to the station; the left-hand platform is part of the Trailway and you are now at number 1 on the map.
Carry on down the Trailway past a log bench which overlooks the river and on into a wooded section where the route curves slightly. Soon after this a small ‘hide’ appears on the left from where you gain a good view of the woodland birds and the waterfowl.
Moving on you come to another log bench which offers an excellent view of Hambledon Hill, part of Dorset’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Hambledon is a scheduled hillfort and protected chalk grassland. If you are looking for a healthy climb a footbridge will take you on to the top via part of the Stour Valley Way – you are at number 2 on the map.
A few yards down the Trailway (for the less hardy) there is a signpost where the RED route turns to the right. To follow the RED route turn into the field on your right (number 3 on the map) and follow the path to the gate at the top of the field. Once through the gate turn right to a sign and follow the path between the two meadows. At the top of the path take a breather and turn to look back at the view – or even say hello to the Jacob’s Sheep who occasionally inhabit the field. Leave the path and follw a lane down to the main road; turn left and look out for a sign on the opposite side of the road. This will take you alongside an old chapel and behind a row of cottages. It then winds down to a lane with a large thatched cottage on the left (5 on the map). This is where the BLUE route reappears.
Turn right up a green lane, enter on to a path through a small gate and proceed to number 6 which is the driveway of Shillingstone House. Cross the path and enter opposite down to two paddocks. Go through the right-hand paddock and follow the electricity posts down to the main road where you will find the village store.
Glance to the right and you will see the old Village Cross a little way up the road. Cross the road by the store and turn into Church Road. A few yards on stands the Old School House (formerly the Croft House School). You have now reached number 8 on the map and should follow the sign left to the church. On entering the church path you will pass Church House on the left. Dating from 1710 this is a fine example of an early farm house with traditional features.
The Norman church is much older and dates from 1090 with a tower added C. 1450. The path winds through the churchyard and out into the Church Field (number 9) with good views of the Stour Valley, Child Okeford , Hambledon and beyond. Take the path down the slope and turn right towards the station. The path slopes gently down to the right to cross the track-bed and rejoin the Trailway at number 10 on the map.
BLUE: to follow the BLUE route go to number 3 on the RED route and carry straight on down to the Trailway. Pass the recreation Ground (blue 1) and carry on to the ramp down on to the Wessex Ridgeway (2). Turn right at the bottom of the ramp and go up to the main road. Go through the gate across the road and along the hedge by the Community Orchard (3). When you reach (4) on the map you will see that the Ridgeway goes left up into Shillingstone Forest – the BLUE route turns right.
Go up the lane to the house on the island at the crossroads (5). Cross the field opposite to a small bridge (6) and up the lane to rejoin the RED route.
Leaflets, guides and brief histories are available at various points around the village: the Post Office, the Stores, the Old Ox Inn, Willows Tea Room, etc..
Shillingstone Village Trail
For details of the Trailway Group activities or for membership of the 'Friends of the Trailway Group'