Meandering in Dorset.

Dorset is the county of stunning landscape with vivid colour and great history throughout the centuries. The landscape as many varied features with its broad elevated chalk downs, with steep limestone ridges and low-lying clay valleys. More than half of the county is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Then three quarters of the coastline is all part of the Jurassic Coast Natural World Heritage Site. There are some unusually created features such as Lulworth Cove, Isle of Portland, Chisel Beach and Durdle Door. Dorset is the county for walking an all year experience, with the beautiful cascade of bluebells throughout the woodlands in spring then on to the vibrant colours of the sun warmed heathland in summer, with the autumn offering its own dramatic magical change in the landscape and then onto the pleasant walks followed by real ale and fine food around the cosy log fires of the local pubs in winter. The ten walks included in the book are all circular ranging from 2 to 6 miles, with easy to follow directions along the routes. So just dream for a while and imagine yourself treading in the footsteps of ancient warriors as you climb up onto Maiden Castle one of Dorset's Iron Age Hillforts with breath taking views from all along the ramparts. The Dorset countryside is well known as the heart of Thomas Hardy's Wessex, the outstanding beauty of Dorset's countryside has charged the imagination of many great people throughout the ages, none more than the walk at West Bay made famous by the Broadchurch series on I.T.V. Then look to Hardy's Cottage set in a woodland, and just up the road is the history of Lawrence of Arabia set around the Cloud Hill Cottage.