Hod Hill circular walk
This short walk skirts the ramparts of the Iron Age fort at Hod Hill. Perched high above a meander on the River Stour, if offers sweeping views over the Dorset countryside and is home to an array of wildflowers and butterflies. You will also be able to see the remains of one of the best preserved Roman forts in the UK, built within the earthen walls that were built some 450 years before the legions arrived in Britain.
Total steps: 10
Total steps: 10
Start point
Car park on Hanford Lane, grid ref: ST855112
Step 1
From the car park, go through the gate and up the steep grassy field, keeping the woodland to your right.
Step 2
At the top of the hill, go through the gate beside the National Trust Hod Hill omega sign.
Step 3
Turn right (anti-clockwise) along the ramparts.
Step 4
The more sheltered woody edge provides a place for butterflies like the speckled wood. There is a constant battle to prevent scrub from colonising the very important SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) grassland and smothering the chalk flora.
Step 5
Keep going for about 218yd (200m).
Step 6
Continue along the ramparts and have a look down to the River Stour on its route from Stourhead to Christchurch.
Step 7
The next section of ramparts is particularly rich in wildflowers including cowslip, common spotted, pyramidal and fragrant orchid, agrimony and clustered bellflower.
Step 8
Turn left upon reaching the corner of the rampart and continue along its top. There's a path here which drops down an old lane to Stourpaine.
Step 9
Keep going round the hillfort and take in the fantastic views over rural Dorset and the Cranborne Chase towards Melbury Down.
Step 10
Go back through the gate you came through and return down to the car park.
End point
Car park on Hanford Lane, grid ref: ST855112
Trail map
More near here
Hod Hill butterfly walk
This mile-long trail involves a gentle stroll around the Iron Age fort at Hod Hill, with a special focus on spotting the many species of butterfly that live here.
Walk at Eye Bridge and Pamphill, Kingston Lacy
Enjoy a peaceful walk upstream along this picturesque stretch of the Stour river, with ancient woodland and an array of interesting birdlife to observe along the way.
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