Print this page (portrait A4 format) as a guide for the walk.

To use the map references given in this walk, please use an Ordnance Survey Map, Explorer 118 (Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase, Poole, Wimborne Minster and Blandford Forum)

Walk #2 - Swallowcliffe - The Downs - Swallowcliffe
Time: 1-2 hours

POINT 1
Start at St. Peters church, Swallowcliffe. (ST 964 271) Facing the church, start walking east (down the hill). Follow the lane round past the Old Post office (below) until you reach the A30. (ST 971 268)

Cross the A30 and make your way left up the hill -following the road, to 'Red House Farm' (approx. 60 yards) From here follow the track and the footpath signs up the hill to the top of Swallowcliffe downs. From the top of the Downs you can walk all along the top, have a picnic and enjoy the view.

Follow the footpath as it curves around the hill and leads you down to the bottom of the Downs. (This section of the walk is quite steep and caution is advised.)

POINT 2
Now at the bottom of the hill you can follow the footpath between a small wooded copse and and a hedge which will lead you out onto a field and then through a gate way onto the A30. (ST 967 263) As you get to the A30, turn left and walk 50 yards along the road until you get to a turning into Swallowcliffe (on your right).