Shire Rack Circular Walk
Dorset/Wiltshire borderField Visit
Wednesday 5 June, - 10.00 for 10.30am
Location: Shermel Gate, ST989192; (398909, 119210) [SP5 5PE].
Turn off the A354 Blandford-Salisbury road at the roundabout with the B3081 into Sixpenny Handley. Turn first right on the edge of the village and then left, signposted ‘Deanland’, to Shermel Gate which is where the surfaced road stops. There is parking space here along either side of the wide bridleway down from Stonedown Wood.
Do bring along a sandwich; we will be taking a picnic ‘lunch break’ at about 12 noon. Unlike last year this will be a ‘loop walk’ one of about 3+ miles in length; also presented is a shorter ‘loop’ walk of about half this length – see both the note below*. Maps links in the table below.
The time we return to our cars will rather depend, not only on how fast we walk, but the time we take noting - and talking about - interesting features on the way. The county boundary project is an essentially ‘interdisciplinary’ exercise bringing together geology, history, topography and botany. We should be back to our cars by about 3 o’clock.
The peoples of Dorset and Wiltshire who have for centuries been ‘divided’ by the course of the Shire Rack today share this unique historic linear landscape feature through the good offices of the AONB. Do join us!
Please note
The activities of our Research Group are organised informally, and by joining in any of our outdoor events you do so entirely at your own risk, and we accept no liability for those who participate. If you wish to join us you are reminded that you must rely on your own ability and experience to gauge the difficulty and severity of the activity and the route or terrain involved, and you will be responsible for your own safety at all times.
Footpaths can be un-surfaced and, in places, steep or muddy. Any decision to continue or discontinue any walk or activity at any point is entirely your own choice, and you are reminded that you should have appropriate clothing, rainwear and footwear, and carry sun protection, food and drink adequate for the weather and the duration of the walk or excursion.