• Shaftesbury is seven miles south of the A303
• Ashmore is five miles south-east of that
• Meet 10.30am: bring lunch and a drink (for you and your hounds)
• the walk is five gentle miles mainly through lovely woods

Ashmore duck pond, in the centre of the village.

Turn your back to pay the bill, and then look what
happens (don't tell the landlord). We can eat our
sandwiches by the duck pond 200 yds further on.

Deep in the woods.

We last walked here in June 2009 so well worth a return. I have changed the route to add interest: this time we will or can stop for sustenance at the very posh King John pub in Tollard Royal (Madonna used to live up the valley and her ex still does apparently pop in).

This is glorious country on the edge of Cranborne Chase, five miles south-east of Shaftesbury, Dorset, with Gold Hill – the Hovis ad – its most well-known feature. Half of the walk is through pleasant beech woods the rest along well used paths. Extensive views can be enjoyed. The walk is a gentle smidgeon over five miles. There is one stretch of mud through the woods but the rest should be sound - or at least it was when I walked it on November 25th.

We start from the neat village of Ashmore, by the duck-pond. There is no designated parking place so we will have to park (tidily) around this beautifully kept thatched village. For those who don't like hills, the walk is largely flat, with just a couple of wee slopes to add interest, when you're nicely warmed up. The first part is along a gravelly bridleway (Halfpenny Lane) till we enter Ashmore Woods which gently drop down to the Wessex Ridgway along the edge of the wood. When we reach here we don't turn right as last time but left and make our way towards Tollard Royal.

To reach the start, most people will be approaching off the A303 near Wincanton via Gillingham, or from the A30 to Shaftesbury. Either way you will arrive at a large roundabout. Take the right hand lane following directions to A350 Poole/Blandford. Carry straight on at next small roundabout (Signed All Routes. Cemetery (think about that one). At the next large roundabout you will see the Half Moon pub straight across the roundabout. Turn left on the A30 (dual carriageway) signed to Salisbury then immediately right (south) along the B3081 signed to Melbury Abbas and Tollard Royal. Follow this road that drops and twists narrowly through Melbury Abbas, then up to a straight level stretch with long views to the right and the woods on your left. Ignore all left turns till you see the sign below to Ashmore.

You will see a sign "single track with passing places" but it is quite wide enough. Drive for another mile to reach the village. We will meet by (not in) the duck pond at 10.30am.

The map reference is ST 912178. Click here to be taken to a map.

Tollard Royal duck pond: deep water
was maybe yesteryear.