Blandford St Mary

22/1/2014

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22nd January 2014
Blandford St Mary
Clive
Clive, Peter, Ray, Rob
7.25 miles
Lay-by on A354
Fox and Hounds Wimborne ★★

This walk started in a lay-by on the A354 just outside Blandford St Mary. Although there is quite a good verge care has to be taken walking along the road as it can be very busy with large vehicles travelling at speed.

After about 600 yards walking towards Blandford there is a track going off to the left of the road. It is in fact part of the old road leading to Blandford Bridge.

We walked throughout the arch and into Bryanston School grounds but shortly realised we should have turned off earlier onto Fair Mile Road. A right turn at Lower Bryanston Farm then took us onto the path that loops around rejoining Fair Mile Road some 1 3/4 miles further along. This was a pleasant stretch with woods and fields and quite reasonable underfoot. We stopped for coffee in Broadley Wood. The scene here was somewhat similar to the one we saw last week in Wareham Forest with numerous trees having been uprooted and snapped off due the recent storms.

After a short section on the road we headed up Lady Caroline's Drive. There are some pleasant views from here towards Blandford particularly nice because the sun was shining. We had a short break for those who had any tea or coffee left just before South Lodge where we re-joined the A 354 to get back to the car.

Lunch was at the Fox and Hounds just outside Wimborne where they have some very reasonably priced food and are open all day. Decidedly good value for money.