メルベリー・アバスでの周辺の簡単なハイキングとウォーキング

Perched 800 feet above sea level in the Cranborne Chase, the view from Compton Abbas offers a breathtaking 30-mile panorama. From the hilltop airfield, you can look north toward the historic town of Shaftesbury and west across the patchwork fields of the Blackmore Vale. The vista captures rolling Dorset hills, dense woodland, and ancient chalk downland, famously immortalized in the novels of Thomas Hardy.

Early morning ice bath? just don't dunk your head in it!!

Was so fortunate to stay here the night and catch the beautiful sunset. Roll on next year. I'll be back

Fontmell Down is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a nature reserve located in Dorset, England, within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is known for its beautiful chalk downland, rich biodiversity, and panoramic views. The down is a steep, sinuous flank of a chalk plateau, offering extensive views across the Blackmore Vale, a landscape featured in the novels of Thomas Hardy. The chalk was formed about 100 million years ago from microscopic plants, and the down's steep-sided dry valleys were created by periglacial meltwater erosion during the last Ice Age. Earthworks visible on the down are much more recent, including those from a golf course that was present in the 1930s. In 1645, the downs were the site of an assembly of 3,000 Dorset "Clubmen," who were local residents protesting against the armies of both sides in the English Civil War.

Fontmell Down was bought by the National Trust in memory of English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy, to protect the landscape in which his novels of the Blackmore Vale are set. On this short walk you will discover an open expanse of flowery downland, excellent butterfly populations and magnificent views in all directions.

Looking from the top down to the bottom, the official footpath runs down the lefthand side of the fence in a field that has cattle (and cowpats!). However the Estate have mown a path down the righthand side of the fence. I recommend using the mown path. Mind you, either of them will be treacherously slippery if the grass is damp!

This section is best walked DOWN rather than UP! It will be treacherous in either direction when the grass is damp.

Very steep, very slippery if ground is damp!