12 walkers set off on this one in overcast weather. All but 2 had seemingly not been to either Maumbury Rings or Maiden Castle or the Hardy Monument or the sheepwash in Martinstown ever, so all info panels (minus the ones in Maiden Castle that have gone missing) were studied intently. This, and the fact that we had SWC Butterfly Spotters 1 and 2 in the group meant that progress was towards the lower end of the spectrum. We eventually got to the wind swept Hardy Monument for 13.00 and settled into the pub benches for our picnic.

1 then went back to Dorchester along the Main Walk route, 1 took the short ending to Portesham, 2 were up for the Neolithic Loop and Portesham finish. The others contemplated some half-baked idea of walking on to West Bay (no chance!) or at least part of that route, as a swim had to be involved, but in the end settled for walking to Abbotsbury and taking the bus to Weymouth for that swim. In the end they were one bus ahead of the Neolithic 2 (the 17.10 was ours) who in the pub garden met a 13th walker, who had taken the bus to Portesham, climbed up to the Monument and did the Loop as well. On the bus we met 2 of the folk who had done the other of today's walks, but that's a different report, by a different person.

In Weymouth: ice cream on the beach, then chaos at the Station (where I bumped into 1 other who had been on the other walk and had seen her train back to The Smoke cancelled)

overcast and windy to lunch then mostly sunny 13

Last Minute change by SWR: train leaves earlier, but stops at CJ. Posting amended.

Dorchester Circular or to Portesham

29th September 2018

9 walkers were rewarded for their long journey by stunning scenery and glorious weather, in the most beautiful and evocative county in Britain. Walking in Dorset connects the present with the distant past as we walk through the barrows and Iron age hill forts and the impressive remains of the Roman amphitheatre of Dorchester which is now a deep green bowl.

Half of us ate in the garden of The Brewers Arms, which did very nice food, then walked onto the Hardy Monument, and climbed up to get panoramic views. Three walkers continued onto Portesham, and the remainder of us returned to Dorchester, walking past quite a few alarming sinkholes but also with views towards Weymouth, Portland Bill and glimpses of the Isle of Wight.

Returned home on the 6.13 train which entertained us to a view of Staines.

Who would have thought it was possible to get to Dorset and back for a 15 mile walk within a day?

It appears that the cheap excursion tickets are only available this year if you book them on line. This was the information I received at my own station.

may be attending anyway as I love Dorset.jfk

6 bit grey to start but mostly sunny

6 off the train at Dorchester South including one first-timer. Within 5 minutes we had our first encounter with prehistoric Dorset when we walked through the Maumbury Ring, a Neolithic henge that was later used as a Roman amphitheatre. Leaving town, we could see in the distance more recent architectural innovation in the form of Poundbury, a modern development backed by Prince Charles. Looming ahead was Maiden Castle, Europe's largest Iron Age Hill fort. We walked around the ramparts and dipped into the centre every now and again to read the info panels that explain the various features. We enjoyed the fine views across the county and the adorable offspring of the sheep that graze the hilltop. Everyone declared the site magnificent.

Lunch came quite soon after and four of us had a good lunch in The Brewers Arms in Martinstown. Friendly service, good portions, freshly prepared food. Well-fortified, we began our ascent to Hardy's Monument. Again, more fine views to be had here. The group split at this point, with one walker doing the main walk option - Dorchester South Circular - for walk check purposes, and 5 opting to check the Portesham ending. We had a fantastic afternoon walking through more lovely countryside, with rolling hills, farmhouses nestled in little valleys, some ascents and descents, and lots of sarsen stones and stone circles. In the lovely hamlet of Bridehead, we encountered a local man who asked us if we were visiting as a result of the 'Broadchurch effect'. A pivitol scene in the latest series of the ITV drama was filmed by the waterfall and has been attracting fans.

Despite the forecast, the weather was good all day and the mood in the afternoon was high when we finally accepted that we would get away with not deploying our raincoats. The mood was raised even higher when the walk leader's football team scored a last-minute goal to win a pivitol game. Amazing multitasking here - walk checking as well as following football scores on his smartphone. The descent into Portesham at the end was lovely and we had time for a quick drink in the garden of The Kings Arms. Bus back to Weymouth in time for the 19:03 train to London, arriving in Waterloo at about 21:50. Everyone agreed the walk was worth the journey. Another good day out.