| Date: Location: Walk Leader: Participants: Distance: Parking: Lunch: | 9th April 2014 Rushmore Golf Club Rob Rob, Clive, Peter, Ray 6.6 miles Golf Club Car Park Golf Club ★★★ |
A lovely bright start to the day when we arrived at Rushmore and started walking about 10:45. It was however still a little chilly.
Heading north we walked along the road turning left at Bridmore Belt and then taking the track across the fields. Unfortunately the first field had be ploughed and the footpath had vanished so we kept to the edge where the ground was a little rough and stubbly. The second field had also been ploughed but the alternative path along the edge of the wood was very good. Lots of bluebells and Ransomes to be seen here shortly. We then dropped down into the valley and along to Tinkley Bottom where we stopped for refreshments. More wild flowers were coming into bloom along all these paths. There are also some lovely old trees in this area, in fact all over the Rushmore estate. At Minchington Down we went into the field and across to Ferney Way which although it looks like a path on the map is actually a well made up road. We then went through the woods to Woodcutts Common where we got a surprise. What should have been a Common was planted with rape which was about 2 to 3 feet high. We took a detour around the edge of the field and the edge of the Golf Course which also extends onto what was once the Common. I have not been able to find a good map of the golf course or any explanation as to what happened to the Common. It was, however, easy enough to find our way back to the car park.
Lunch at the Golf Club was very good but the price of the excellent gammon seems to have escalated dramatically. The all day breakfast was the slimmers' delight and was a lot cheaper!
A very pleasant walk with a variety of views across Cranborne Chase
Heading north we walked along the road turning left at Bridmore Belt and then taking the track across the fields. Unfortunately the first field had be ploughed and the footpath had vanished so we kept to the edge where the ground was a little rough and stubbly. The second field had also been ploughed but the alternative path along the edge of the wood was very good. Lots of bluebells and Ransomes to be seen here shortly. We then dropped down into the valley and along to Tinkley Bottom where we stopped for refreshments. More wild flowers were coming into bloom along all these paths. There are also some lovely old trees in this area, in fact all over the Rushmore estate. At Minchington Down we went into the field and across to Ferney Way which although it looks like a path on the map is actually a well made up road. We then went through the woods to Woodcutts Common where we got a surprise. What should have been a Common was planted with rape which was about 2 to 3 feet high. We took a detour around the edge of the field and the edge of the Golf Course which also extends onto what was once the Common. I have not been able to find a good map of the golf course or any explanation as to what happened to the Common. It was, however, easy enough to find our way back to the car park.
Lunch at the Golf Club was very good but the price of the excellent gammon seems to have escalated dramatically. The all day breakfast was the slimmers' delight and was a lot cheaper!
A very pleasant walk with a variety of views across Cranborne Chase
Cuttice Lodge North entrance to Rushmore Park
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If pigs could fly this would be a tree
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Caltha Palustris, Marsh Buttercup or Marsh Marigold
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