On this page you can find a selection of local walks, single track, and Bridle ways all should be started and finished with a Pint at the Old Inn, Walkers & Cyclists are welcome to park in our car park providing you patronize the The old Inn for food and refreshment.

Charmouth Forest offers some great dirt biking, twist my arm I may just show you around.

 Great biking check out www.mtb-freeride.com

The most comprehensive resource on the web for books on walking in Dorset and throughout Britainwww.bestwalks.com

Monarch's Way

Worcester to Shoreham 982 km/610 miles

Lengthy, meandering route following the flight of Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651, and including many sites of historic interest. From Worcester it first turns north to Boscobel, south via Stratford upon Avon, the Cotswolds, Bristol and the Mendips to Charmouth, then east along the South Downs to Shoreham where Charles finally escaped to France. Generally way marked except in West Sussex.

PARISH WALK 1-----2 ¾ MILES

Starting at the church, follow the churchyard footpath to the top of the Lime avenue, bear N.E to Courshay, cross the lane into the diagonal path to Westhay house, turn left down the hill to Philleyholme Mill, cross the ford, turn right up Culverlake Lane just before Northhay Farm. In this green lane, keep left by the stream to avoid the worst of the mud. Turn right as you join Berry Lane, walk down the hill towards Westhay, climb to the group of cottages and turn left into the field beside Tom Putt cottage heading for the tree and then the gate, climb gate and bear right to the corner of Pound Drive, turn right down the drive, cross to Downash Lane, turn into field beside Glebe Cottage, and enter Churchyard through arched gateway. Water proof footwear advised.

PARISH WALK 2-----3 ¼ MILES

Starting at Scouse Cross, descend steep hill past Higher Checkridge. Keep to the road until you see the Finger Post public footpath. Take this path in a straight line to Lower Checkridge farm; join farm drive to the right and up to join Langmoor Lane. Turn left, keep to the lane, over the stream and up through the trees (Beautiful in the spring). Keep to the lane, leaving Woodhouse farm on the right until you see a bend in the drive, and turn right into the track to Southmoor Farm. Follow the green track past the farm, up along the high side of the fields under a wooded bank (Badgers and bunnies!). Follow round and up until you meet the gate onto New Park Drive. Turn left, left again at the top, and walk back along the lane, turn left at the next junction, straight along Woodhouse Road under the glorious beech trees, and back to Scouse Cross where you began. Waterproof footwear necessary.

PARISH WALK 3-----3 ¼ MILES

From the end of Downash Lane (Do Park well off the road) turn down the hill towards Westhay Cross. Often squirrels in the copse to your right. After Courshay Lane, turn right into the field through the gate. Cross diagonally to Westhay House, turn right and walk down Berry Lane. After the cottages, the woods begin with glorious snowdrops and wild daffodils. Please leave for others to enjoy. Walk down over the stream and up the hill to Berry House. Turn right besides the old farmhouse, down to the clear stream running alongside, and up to the woodland, with a good chance to see both deer and buzzards, and a fine mixture of mature trees including sweet chestnuts. Carry on up, making for the farm complex at Higher Stonbarrow, and on up to the cattle grid (Please rescue any trapped hedgehogs). Along the quite lane to New House Farm, then into Pound Road. Down the hill to the large metal gate on your right. Enter shutting the gate behind you, and follow the track winding down the hillside first to the solitary, majestic larch tree, and then to the buildings of Pound House. Open and close another gate, the ancient farmhouse is on your right surrounded by a glorious garden, where trees and shrubs flower in nearly ever month of the year. Pass along the track until you rejoin Downash Lane. One of the best walks in the entire parish. Boots for Stonebarrow Lane.

Parish walk 4-----2 ¾ miles

Starting at the church steps keep well left in the churchyard, and make for the Lime Tree Avenue. Follow the track by the hedge to the gate on your right. Strike out diagonally to meet the end of the track through the woods, pass through the gate to the right, and head diagonally for the small hunting gate in the next hedgerow. Keep the buildings of Beerhall Farm in view and walk in their direction. In the coppice (Doleham) to the right there are often deer. Cross the Blackwater River by the foot-bridge (Occasionally one can see otter prints in the sandy banks as well as wild mink and water voles) and head for the corner of the lane leading to the farm. Turn right, and walk along the lane to join the Blackwater Lane. In the coppice to your left are wonderful clumps of golden marsh marigolds in the late spring, followed by flag irises. Turn right at the end of the lane, and cross the ford of the little river. There are good sized trout and wagtails to be seen here. Enter the wooden gate facing you in the large meadow. Keep to the left following the stream towards the buildings of Philleyholme Mill. This is utterly tranquil, full of snowdrops and catkins in the spring, masses of wild flowers later, and always the pleasure of the running brook itself. Pass through the gate and the yard, and you are at the mill, an ancient spot indeed. Rest awhile on the wooden bridge above the ford (In high summer I have seen lizards here), and then turn right to climb the hill past the house. Walk on up the hill, where you might see the resident flock of long-tailed tits in Little Ashes Copse, until you see the Westhay cattle grid on your left. Cross the lane and enter the field by the kissing gate. Walk diagonally to the opposite corner open and close the small gate, turn left and almost immediately right into Courshay Lane. Pass up between the cottages, and follow the well used track back to the metal gate, turn left and back to the Lime Trees and the church. A shorter walk this one, but delightful. Boots necessary in place's.

PARISH WALK 5-----4 MILES

From the War Memorial down the hill to the last house on the left, and enter Furzehill Lane on the right just below. Follow through the farmyard past the dark firs down to the stream. Cross the bridge and through the gate, and follow the track to Buddlewall. This is an ancient approach road to the village, featured in the earliest maps. The river is glorious here- a truly lovely spot where Dorset meets Devon, and worth lingering awhile. Cross the river by the footbridge (Buddlewall Farm has a medieval screen and marvelous paneling) passing into the parish of Thorncombe. Climb up past the houses to join Holditch Lane, and turn right. Walk along the lane (Rich with wild flowers) until you see the Holditch Court sign on a massive post. Turn right and follow the lane to the court, with its 14^th century tower incredible fortified outbuildings. Pass down the lane heading for New House Farm (Note the size of the gateposts for the size of the dwelling) and then onto the meadow, with distinct remains of ancient water courses. Head for the river, the bridge lies to the right in the second field by a clump of willows. The "ford" is somewhat deep! Cross the Blackwater, and walk straight up the side of the field next to the fence. Masses of cowslips in spring to admire (Not pick). Pass through the gate; climb straight up with the copse on your right. Through the next gate by the gnarled tree and ancient wall. To the left in the coppice are remains of an early brick kiln. Straight up again until you meet the track between Wyld Court and Main Covert. Ignore this, and enter the little gate in front of you. Clamber carefully through barbed wire, head right across the field towards Wyld Court buildings. At the corner of the track, turn left (Almost back on yourself) and head for the Courshay gate. Here, turn right and make for the top of the Lime Tree Avenue. Over the stile, round the little path to Hawkchurch's glory, our Norman church, and keeping to the hedge, down the steps and onto the road. Perhaps the Old Inn is open if you timed it well! Turn right, and down to the War Memorial. A longer walk, taking in our neighbor's parish of Thorncombe. Boots necessary!.