Dorset

Walk at Pamphill Green and Moor

This gentle circular walk takes you through the beautiful unspoilt village of Pamphill, with its wide variety of flora and fauna. Look out for the abundant species of butterfly which call this locality home in the warmer months.

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Total steps: 7

Start point

Pamphill Green car park, adjacent to Pamphill CE VC First School, grid ref: ST993005

Step 1

Walk past Pamphill School, keeping it to your left following the grass track.

Pamphill School

Pamphill School was originally paid for as a school and almshouses by the will of Roger Gillingham of the Middle Temple in 1698. Gillingham made his money in business in the City of London and was born in Pamphill. Described by some historians as a successful merchant, he owned considerable shares in a chemical works producing chemicals for textile processing and saltpetre: an essential ingredient in the production of gunpowder.

Step 2

Pass through the squeeze stile on the left, adjacent to the school, onto Pamphill Moor. Drop down over the moor via the kissing gate and boardwalk to the woodland at the bottom known as Hart's Copse.

Step 3

Enter Hart's Copse via the squeeze stile at the woodland edge and there is an option to take a circular walk through the coppice in either direction.

Step 4

There are further boardwalks within the woodland over wet flushes; leave Hart's Copse through the squeeze stile at this point. Turn right and cross the pasture into the depression and through another squeeze stile to climb the slope towards the picturesque cottage at the top. The waymarked path skirts the cottage, 627 Hillbutts, to the left. Proceed through the edge of the front garden via a stile. Leave the property via a communal driveway to the B3082 Wimborne/Blandford road.

Step 5

Once you've reached the main road, turn right, taking the pavement for 350yd (320m) until a footpath appears on the right through a metal kissing gate. The surface here is firm and continues over a bridge into Hart's Glen.

Step 6

A path to the right down over the slope will be encountered. Pass through the squeeze stile at the bottom, descend steps to a brook crossed by a bridge and carry straight on up the slope, passing through another squeeze stile on the way. The path meanders to the top of the slope, with grassland supporting moisture-loving plants, including rushes and sedges.

Step 7

At the top of the hill you will be under an electricity pylon. Turn left past a dew pond until you reach a fingerpost adjacent to a thatched cottage at the road edge, which confirms the continued presence of the Stour Valley Way. Turn right and follow the road to Pamphill School and the car park.

Pamphill Green

Pamphill Green was known as 'Fayres Green' because of the fairs held every September from the 13th century. These were where livestock, wines, beers, food, clothing and domestic articles were sold. To the south of the green is a dense screen of trees and bushes which largely conceals Pamphill Manor. The white-painted gateway reveals more of this fine 17th-century house, which is of outstanding architectural importance. At one time it was the home of the steward to Sir Ralph Bankes of Kingston Lacy, Matthew Beethall.

End point

Pamphill Green car park, adjacent to Pamphill CE VC First School, grid ref: ST993005

Trail map

Pamphill Green and Moor walk map, Kingston Lacy — Pamphill Green and Moor walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4EA

01202883402

kingstonlacy@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Walk at Pamphill Green and Moor

Total steps: 7