Among the lush pastures of the Blackmore Vale nestles the thriving Saxon town of Gillingham. With its mainline railway station, Gillingham is an ideal launch-pad for the stately delights of Stourhead (six miles away,) the wonders of Iron Age north Dorset, and the charms of Shaftesbury and its ‘Hovis Hill’.
Founded at the confluence of three rivers – the Lodden, Shreen and Stour – Gillingham is the perfect base for walkers. The fine countryside and north Dorset scenery offers cyclists many circular tours and stunning vistas.
The annual walking festival takes place in September and explores a different theme every year. “Walkers are Welcome is a nationwide initiative encouraging towns and villages to be ‘welcoming to walkers’ by offering people and visitors excellent walking opportunities, well maintained footpaths and promotion of health benefits.”
Take the train Gillingham is just over 2 hours from London Waterloo, 30 minutes from Salisbury, under 1 1/2 hours from Exeter and just 11 minutes from Tisbury.
WALK THE WHITE HART WAY
The walking routes links the five towns of North Dorset, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton and Blandford. The walking routes uses existing public rights of way and quiet lanes and passes through some of the iconic countryside of the Blackmore Vale.
White Hart Link – experience the beautiful scenery of the Dorset countryside.
White Hart Link to Kings Court and the Copperidge Inn. Approx. 5 Miles. Waymarkers will guide you.
- Stand on Platform 1 at the station facing the station buildings. Go right along the platform and exit via the footpath. At the top turn right and go over the railway bridge, continue straight on and cross over New Road and then the River Lodden. The Gillingham Agricultural Shows used to be held at Lodden Farm in the early 1900s.
- Cross the road here to walk on the pavement and
re-cross in 100m into King’s Court Road. King’s Court was King John’s hunting lodge and this area was part of the medieval Gillingham Royal Forest. At the end of the road there is an information board giving a brief history of the site of King’s Court Palace in the field ahead. - As you cross the bridge you are entering the Royal Forest.
- Immediately turn right and then left at the end of the earthwork. Follow the hedge to a gateway and turn right. This gateway and the next are often muddy.
- Continue straight ahead following the waymarks for the bridleway (blue arrows) and the White Hart Link. As you approach a wood ahead (Kings Court Wood) pause to look at the house on the bluff. This is Donedge Lodge, site of the residence of the Keeper of the Forest, giving a panoramic view over much of the forest.
- Continue past the wood and turn left and go up hill across several fields and come out onto a track at the top. Bear right and follow track to The Coppleridge Inn. A good place to stop for coffee or a meal.
- Turn right onto the road outside the inn and then take the bridleway off to the right on the bend. Follow this until waymarker on a post indicates a right turn. Continue along the Left- hand side of this mature hedge with large trees until pass through a gate.
Visit Gillingham Museum-FREE entry
Gillingham is also home to the famous bridge painted by the renowned artist John Constable in 1823. Nearly 200 years later the townscape has changed concealing most of the bridge from view.
A short 10 minute walk from the station the museum can be found in Chantry Fields opposite Waitrose. Home | GillinghamMuseum
Normal Museum Opening Times Monday, 10.00am – 12.30pm Tuesday, 1.30pm – 4.00pm Wednesday – Closed Thursday, 10.00am – 12.30pm Friday, 10.00am – 12.30pm
Saturday, 10.00am – 12.30pm Sunday, – Closed NOT OPEN on Bank Holidays For visits at other times or Group visits, please contact the Curator by Email at: office@gillinghammuseum.co.uk
or write to Gillingham Museum, Chantry Fields, GILLINGHAM, Dorset SP8 4UA
HIGHLIGHTS
A collection of “five oil paintings by Constable of the area, which are reproduced at as near to their original size as possible, together with four pencil sketches.”
Visit Langham Church
Gillingham is home to the only thatched church in Dorset at Langham. One of the finest examples in the country this tiny-thatched church was built in 1921 as a memorial to those from the estate and hamlet of Langham who died in WW1. Designed by Ponting in simple Arts and Crafts Gothic. Langham Church is a 2 mile walk each way from the station.
HIGHLIGHTS
The chapel of St George at Langham serves as a memorial to Alfred Manger’s youngest son John, of 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. who joined the war in Flanders in February 1915. Three months later when the Battalion was fighting on the Ypres Salient he was reported wounded, believed killed and was never seen again. He was just 21…
Take the bus Wiltshire Connect to National Trust Stourhead – it’s easy to book on line or use the app.
Wiltshire Connect is an on-demand public shared ride service to help you get around South-West Wiltshire including Warminster, Mere and Frome in Somerset and Gillingham and Shaftesbury in Dorset. The service can also be used to get to key leisure attractions in the area including Stourhead National Trust and Longleat Park. The maximum ride duration is 13 miles.
Available
Monday to Friday 6am-8pm
Saturdays 8am – 7.30pm
Booking. You may book up to 7 days in advance or as little as 30 minutes notice.
How much does the ride cost?
£2 or £3 for Adult single rides depending on the length of the journey. Young people aged 18 and under receive discounted travel. Concessionary bus passes are also accepted after 9am Mon-Fri and all- day Saturday. Discounted 10 ride passes are available for both adults and young people.
How to book a ride
- Create an account. Download the Wiltshire Connect app from your preferred app store and follow the simple sign up steps.
- Book a ride. Enter your pick up and drop off address. Choose the ride that works for you by tapping RESERVE RIDE. You may book up to 7 days in advance or as little as 30 minutes. You can also book by calling Customer Support at 01225
- Meet Your Driver. Check out the app to find out exactly where to meet the vehicle. It may be a short walk from where you are, but it makes the journey faster. Home pick ups are available for passenger with poor mobility or live in an isolated area.