Maiden Newton Circular or to Dorchester (via Cerne Abbas) walk

28.3 km (17.6 mi), with 694m ascent/descent. For a longer or shorter walk and an Alternative Ending, see below Walk Options.

8 out of 10, with 6 ¾ hours walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 13 hours.

This is a route entirely in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, leading through three roughly parallel valleys cut into the dip slope of the chalk hills of the Dorset Downs, the most westerly part of the large chalk formation running through southern England, and a couple of steep combes within those valleys. Consequently, there are six ascents spread out through the walk, but the views from the steep slopes of the dry hanging valleys (including two of the three parts of Hog Cliff NNR), the rounded hills and broad ridges are just rewards for the effort. Four chalk streams and rivers are crossed and plenty of picturesque villages, hamlets and historic churches passed. The author Thomas Hardy based many of his locales on this area.

Cerne Abbas is the jewel in the crown amongst the villages, with almost every building being historic, special and beautiful. It also has some sizeable remains of the 10th century Cerne Abbey, a holy well, an imposing tithe barn, three pubs, a tea room and a tap room as well as Britain’s largest hill figure, The Cerne Giant. This is likely of early Anglo-Saxon origin and depicting a pagan god, stark naked.

Note: The chalk figure is fenced off at a wide margin to prevent erosion and views of The Cerne Giant are only possible during the approach to the village, but not once in the village!

A Shortcut right at the start cuts the initial loop through Maiden Newton and down the Frome Valley. Cut 2.6 km and 24m ascent.
Another Shortcut early on cuts the scenic coombes of the Hog Cliff National Nature Reserve, and reverse-walks part of the finish of the walk to Sydling St. Nicolas. Cut 1.5 km and 82m ascent. Taking both Shortcuts reduces the rating to 7/10.
An Extension in Cerne Abbas onto Giant Hill leads to a couple of fine viewpoints up and down the Cerne Valley and through the many pre-historic earth works on Giant Hill. Note: you get no views of any part of The Giant from this extension, but will add 2.0 km and 100m ascent!
An Alternative Ending in Dorchester follows the Cerne Valley downstream with only two modest climbs (resulting in fine views) and routes through the historic centre of Dorchester to link directly to the more frequent and direct train line back to London. Cut 140m ascent but add 1.3 km distance.
Bus line 5 (Yeovil – Sherborne – Dorchester, with 6 buses per day Mon-Fri only) links Cerne Abbas and the villages in the Cerne Valley south of Cerne Abbas to train stations in Dorchester (on the Weymounth – Waterloo line) and Sherborne (on the Exeter St. David’s – Waterloo line). See the route map for the location of relevant bus stops.

OS Landranger: 194 (Dorchester & Weymouth)
OS Explorer: 117 (Cerne Abbas & Bere Regis)

Maiden Newton Station, map reference SY 599 979, is 189 km south west of Charing Cross and 106m above sea level. Dorchester South station, map reference SY 692 900 and Dorchester West station, map reference SY 688 902, are 12 km south east of Maiden Newton and 72m above sea level. All are in Dorset. They are stops on the Heart of Wessex line from Bristol to Weymouth. From London, a connection is needed at either Westbury or Castle Cary (served by trains from Paddington) or in Dorchester (5 minute-walk from Dorchester South to West). Dorchester South is a stop on the London Waterloo to Weymouth Main Line. Journey time to Maiden Newton is from 149 minutes.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Maiden Newton Station is outside the Network Southeast Railcard zone. Off-Peak returns can be prohibitively expensive. Advance tickets are usually the better option. Dorchester (South) Station is within the Network Railcard Zone. Take a train no later than 9.00 hours.

The Greyhound Inn 26 High Street, Sydling St. Nicholas, Dorset, DT2 9PD (01300 341 303). The Greyhound is located a couple of hundred metres off route, after 9.0 km/5.6 mi of the walk.

Plus, all located within 80m (!) of each other, after 14.9 km/9.3 mi of the walk:
The Royal Oak 23 Long Street,Cerne Abbas, Dorset, DT2 7JG (01300 341 797).
The Giant Inn (aka The Red Lion) 24 Long Street, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, DT2 7JF (01300 341 441).
The New Inn 14 Long Street, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, DT2 7JF (01300 341 274).
Abbots Tearoom 7 Long Street, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, DT2 7JF (01300 341 349).

The Cerne Abbas Brewery Chescombe Barn, Barton Meadows Farm,Cerne Abbas, Dorset, DT2 7JS (01300 341 999). The Brewery is located 15.8 km/9.8 mi into the walk.

Maiden Newton Ending
The Greyhound Inn 26 High Street, Sydling St. Nicholas, Dorset, DT2 9PD (01300 341 303). The Greyhound is located 150m off route and 4.0 km/2.5 mi and 117/121m ascent/descent from the end of the walk, i.e.: approximately one hour of walking.
The Chalk and Cheese 53 Dorchester Road, Maiden Newton, Dorset, DT2 0BD (01300 320 929). The Chalk and Cheese is located 450m beyond the station in the village centre.

Dorchester Ending
The Sun Inn Lower Burton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7RZ (01305 250 445). The Sun is located 2.1 km from Dorchester South station.
Plenty of options in Dorchester’s Centre, on and off route.
Plus these near Dorchester South Station: Vivo Lounge, Luciano’s, The Brewhouse and Kitchen, Pizza Express, Nando’s, Zizzi, Wagamama, Côte Brasserie, Hub Box, Morrish & Banham Wine Merchant Tasting Room, Costa Coffee, Yalbury Café.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Jan-24 Thomas G