Litton Cheney Walk 5.5 miles, about 2.5 hours walking

A moderate circle in the tranquil Dorset countryside between Bridport and Dorchester, taking in two villages, a valley and high downland with good views.

OS Outdoor Leisure map 15, Purbeck & S Dorset grid ref: 548 900

PARK: in Litton Cheney village. This is easily reached from the A35 Bridport to Dorchester road. Enter the village by the thatched bus shelter and head down the main street towards Puncknowle and Burton Bradstock with a stream flowing on the left. Reach the welcoming White Horse on the left just before the Youth Hostel. The pub has kindly given permission for walkers to park here, so do have some refreshment here. It has a good garden. If full park somewhere suitable in the road nearby.

D ally in Dorset on this off-the-beaten-track circle, drinking in the beauty of this quiet countryside inhabited by man since the Stone Age.

It starts from the picturesque village of Litton Cheney from a friendly pub, the White Horse, which is well worth a visit. There is one main hill which rewards you with good views, and a more gentle hill up to Puncknowle where the reward could be a stop at the excellent thatched pub.

This circle is a good mixture of footpaths and quiet tracks and lanes linking the two villages, and two picturesque valley settlements going through farmland and open downland. It's easy going with one main hill.

START

Turn right from the pub going up the village street, with the pretty stream flowing on the right. Note the old mill on the right with an overshoot waterwheel still in place.

At the top of the road at the bus shelter, turn left in Chalkpit Lane.

1. FOOTPATH

Just past the last house on the right, go up right on a footpath to Askerswell Down. You are now faced with the main hill of the walk. Go through a gate into the downland and climb straight on up getting magnificent views as you go.

Go through a gate and continue on. In the field on the right are some fine examples of the medieval farming system of strip lynchets. Continue all the way to a lane at the top where you can enjoy the views across to Hardy's Monument.

2. LANE

Cross and go through a gate opposite still following the sign to Askerswell Down – bearing right across the field. Go through a gate which brings you into an "open access! area (although not marked as such). There is a very steep drop down on the left and a Tarmac farm drive below. You want to reach this. The best way is to follow the top hedge along for a bit and then drop down left when it is less steep. Reach the Tarmac drive in the valley and turn left.

3. HIGHER COOMBE

Cross a cattle grid. You will soon reach the pretty settlement of Higher Coombe and continue through and this leads you to Lower Coombe. Go through a gate and carry on as before, going close by a cottage and then starting to climb gently. Go into a field and follow the right fence. Go through a gate and follow the footpath arrow diagonally across the field to the far left corner. Go through a gate and on under trees into another field. Cross it diagonally heading for the right hand end of woodland.

4. WOODLAND

Here is a squeeze stile. Once through, go down the left edge of the field passing the wood on your left. At the end of the wood, go on into another field. Go ahead through the centre of the field which was planted with maize when I came in last month, but a path had been left. Cross a stile on the far side and watch your footing on the little bridge. Cross another stile into a field and go across to the far side. Go over a small stone hump backed bridge. Turn right into the next field and then turn left up the hedge. At the top, just a few yards along from the top left corner, go through a gate on to the lane. Sadly, the farmer has built a silage clamp across the footpath but you should be able to get through to the gate.

5. RECTORY LANE

Go up Rectory Lane opposite. This climbs steadily and bends and brings you up to the village of Puncknowle.

6. PUNCKNOWLE

If you don't want to look like too much of a stranger, the village name is pronounced "punnel" (rhyming with tunnel). The origin of the name is not fully known, but the second part refers to the knoll to the south of the village. Turn left passing the church up on the right and reach the thatched Crown Inn, noted for its food and with a fine garden out the back. It is open daily. Continue on past cottages.

Take the first lane left, Looke Lane. You have a mile to go now back to Litton Cheney.

7. FIELD

At the start of Hoopers Lane go into the field ahead and go across the centre with fine views towards the curvaceous Dorset downland above Litton Cheney. You can soon see the village itself down in the valley. Go through an opening on the far side into the next field and continue in the same direction.

In the far left corner, go left into another field and soon bear off diagonally left down the centre.

Reach a footpath signpost by the remains of an old stone stile and go across a small slab bridge and a stile.

8. BRIDGE

Go across the field and, in the far left corner, come to a bridge over the River Bride and remains of what could have been an old mill. Cross a stile and head down the full length of the field in the direction of the village. In the far corner go through into the next field, and follow the arrow heading towards the tower of Litton Cheney church. Follow the right hedge. Cross a stile on the right and then follow the left hedge – a stile in the corner brings you on to a path. Follow it on to a lane by the youth hostel. Turn left and then go right to the White Horse Inn.

The Crown Inn, Puncknowle, 01308 897711. The White Horse Inn, Litton Cheyney, 01308 482539. Please call to confirm opening times.