If you are coming from the Dorchester direction, leave the A354 at Milbourne St. Andrew, and you then arrive at the village at the lower end of the main street. Go right up to the top where you turn right. In about 300 yards there is room to park in a small layby on the right hand side of the road, nearly opposite a concrete shed . If you come from the East, turn off the A354 at Winterbourne Whitchurch. You then come in by the upper road as described above and can park as indicated. Outside the holiday period there is usually plenty of parking in the main street, but your walk finishes at the top road anyway.

Start your walk by going down the main street to swing left at the bottom.The main road soon turns sharp left opposite a lodge cottage. Here go straight ahead (S.P. Ansty Cross) up hill. Soon after reaching top of the hill keep to the road when it turns sharp left. In about 200 yards turn right off the road on to a long straight track bounded by hedges. Eventually emerge on to a country road where you turn right. Because of well trimmed hedges you can enjoy panoramic views of rural Dorset to your left. In about 3/4 mile go right at signposted stile. Straight across the field to cross another stile (an awkward one,this) to join steep path down through wood. At the bottom of the wood go through wooden gate, then keep to left hand side of field by new wire fence. Through another gate and across road to go down narrow path with churchyard on your right. Turn right when you come out on to road (You are now in Hilton village). In a few yards turn left into 'The Knapp' (S.P. Bulbarrow). Now for a long steady climb up the track

If you are taking the shorter path then continue straight ahead on reaching the top of the hill.(Details below).

For the full walk turn left at the top of the hill through wooden gate set back in the undergrowth into corner of large field (G.R. 788037) Then continue in a northerly direction keeping close to the right hand side of the field. This bridle way is known as the 'Ice Drove'. Continue through several fields like this, heading for the radio masts in the distance. Eventually reach two metal gates. Go through the right hand one to continue on a grassy track with fence to your left and hedges to your right.

On reaching the road turn right and in 1/2 mile reach the viewpoint of Bulbarrow. Wide panoramic views across Blackmore Vale and north Dorset. Continue your walk by taking the road to Milton Abbas. In 1/4 mile, by the deer sign , take the left hand road (S.P. W-Strickland). Then after 300 yds. turn right through signposted gate (G.R. 791057) and head downhill toward dense woods, entering through a heavy metal gate. First through woods but later more open grassland. Go through metal gate, then skirt left round farmhouse on to lane which soon becomes a metalled road. Down this road until it turns sharp left, where you turn right up track (S.P. Bridleway to Milton Abbas - An ancient wooden sign fixed to a modern steel pole). A steep climb, at first between trees but later more open grassland. The route swings to the left then through a steel gate to continue along a track which is deeply rutted to begin with and has trees to the right. You are now heading roughly south and soon come out on to a main road, where you turn right.

In about 250 yds. the road turns sharp left. This road is the direct route back to your car - about 1 mile. However with hedges on both sides you have to walk in the road all the way. For an extra half mile or so there is a detour which will avoid most of this road section.

At the apex of the corner turn left through the signposted gate. Head downhill, keeping close to the fence on your right. Soon enter wood, and shortly emerge on to wide gravel track. Turn right here and in 100 yds. turn right up narrow path (Jubilee Trail marker and Bridleway arrow). Dont miss this one - if you continue along the road you will soon be adrift. The path goes along the edge of the wood, and when you come out on to a wide road turn right. The road swings left and up hill, passes houses on the right to reach the main road. Turn left here and in a few yards cross the road which leads down into the village to reach your car a bit further on.

The shorter option (5-6 miles). NOTE: Considerable stretches of this route can be very muddy in winter.

At the top of the hill out of Hilton continue straight ahead into a small dip among trees to reach a metal gate. Through the gate then swing right 45 degrees to go over small hump, then past fallen tree to emerge on to an open grassy area. Head south for wooden gate in right hand corner by new wire fencing. Left through the gate then immediately right. Cross small area of bracken to go under large dead branch of tree, then head south taking path into wood. This path goes steadily downhill to eventually emerge on to a minor road facing Milton Abbey school.Go left and continue along road to go under old brick bridge.Staying with the road brings you out at the lower end of Milton Abbas. If you planned this shorter route from the start, then its best to park at the lower end of the village. If however you are parked as described above, then just after passing under the bridge, turn left up a wide gravel track. At the top of the hill the track becomes a road entering a small housing estate, and at the end of the road turn right. You are now on the main road which runs across the top of the village, and in about 1/4 mile reach your car.

RETURN to home page.