Bear Cross to Wimborne

5/8/2015

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5th August 2015
Bear Cross
Ray
Ray, Peter
8.2 miles
Went by bus
Lambs Green Inn ★★▲

This is a slightly unusual walk as there were just two of us and we travelled by bus from Westbourne into Bournemouth and then on to Bear Cross where we started the walk. On the return we caught the bus from Wimborne to Poole and then back to Westbourne. Thanks to the bus pass!
It was quite a grey day but it stayed dry and we had a very pleasant walk.
We have walked most of this route before but the last time was over five years ago.

Crossing the A348 Longham Road is a bit life threatening but we took our time and eventually found a gap in the traffic. As soon as we set off along the Stour Valley Way we found some beautiful Evening Primrose and somewhat surprisingly some sloes that were already turning black.

Evening Primrose

Beside the weir

We followed the path all the way to Canford Magna enjoying the views across the golf course(s) and checking to see how much we would have to pay to send a child to the school - an eye watering £10,872 per term this year. We took a little detour to sit by the weir at Hatch Hole and have our morning break while Ray recalled past fishing exploits at this lovely spot.

We then walked mostly beside the rive until opposite Leigh Park where the route veers away from the river and down some steep steps to the cutting where we pass by Lady Wimborne Bridge, a very ornate railway bridge. The Stour Valley Way then carries on on some minor roads which take us right to the door of the Lambs Green Inn. We were a bit earlier than usual and were quite surprised by the number of people already there having lunch.

Lady Wimborne Bridge

After a good lunch we were back on the main route and soon heading across the fields and into Wimborne. The allotment gardens just before Wimborne are beginning to look rather neglected and we wondered if this area has been scheduled for development as it is unusual to see allotments in such a sad state. We arrived in Wimborne in good time to take a few pictures of the masses of flowers outside the Green Man before our bus was due.