The best road cycling routes around Hawkchurch

Gazing south from the high ridges of Pilsdon Pen, the lush Dorset countryside rolls out toward Symondsbury in a vibrant patchwork of green hills and deep dales. Punctuating the horizon is the unmistakable, tree-crowned peak of Colmer’s Hill, guiding the eye across spectacular views that reach all the way to the coast.

From the Pilsdon Pen car park, you are treated to a stunning, sweeping panorama of West Dorset’s rolling hills. Looking south, the lush Marshwood Vale opens up dramatically, framed by distant coastal ridges near Charmouth. It is an expansive, breathtaking introduction to the landscape before you even begin the hill climb.

If you’re visiting St Mary's Church in Marshwood, you’re stepping into a Victorian "reboot" of a much older story. While it looks like a classic 19th-century country church, its history is a bit of a survivor's tale, involving ruins, 2,000-person parties, and birds hidden in the stone. Opening Times The church is part of the Golden Cap Team of Churches and is generally open every day for visitors (typically from around 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Sunday Best: Services are usually held at 11:00 AM, but check the local noticeboard in the porch—it's the village's "analog social media" and always has the most up-to-date timings. School Days: The church has a very cool partnership with the adjacent primary school. Don't be surprised if you see kids using the building as a classroom or hall! The "New" Old Church The original medieval chapel was closer to Marshwood Castle but became a ruin by the 1600s. The current building was a 19th-century "do-over": The Party of 1840: When they laid the foundation stone for the new tower in 1840, about 2,000 people turned up to watch. That’s a massive crowd for a tiny village—it must have been the Iron Age equivalent of a stadium concert! The "Pecking Birds": Keep a sharp eye on the stone pillars inside. The capitals (the tops of the pillars) are carved with "stiff-leaf" foliage and tiny birds pecking at the leaves. It’s like a Victorian version of Where's Waldo. A Bargain Rebuild: Most of the church was rebuilt in 1884 for just £900. While that sounds cheap now, back then it was a huge community effort led by the local Reverend. Why it’s Worth a Peek Aside from the bird-spotting, the church offers a quiet, contemplative atmosphere with great views over the Marshwood Vale. It’s constructed from local rubble walls with ashlar dressings, giving it a rugged, "honest" look that perfectly matches the surrounding Dorset hills.

Gemini said If you find yourself in the rolling hills of West Dorset, the Church of St John the Baptist in Broadwindsor is a classic, "slow-paced" country church that packs a surprising amount of history into its quiet stone walls. It’s perched on a high spot right in the heart of the village, looking out over the square like it’s been keeping watch forever (which, to be fair, it mostly has). Here’s why it’s worth a wander: A Royal Fugitive’s Hiding Spot The village’s biggest claim to fame involves a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek. After losing the Battle of Worcester in 1651, King Charles II fled for his life and spent a night right here in Broadwindsor. While the King was hiding in a nearby inn (now private cottages), Parliamentarian soldiers actually arrived in the village to search it. Legend says he only escaped because a local woman went into labor in the same building, causing such a chaotic distraction that the soldiers moved on without finding him. He eventually escaped to France, but the church stands as a silent witness to that tense night. The "Witty" Rector In the 1630s, the church was led by Thomas Fuller, a man described as one of the first English writers to actually make a living from his pen. He was famous for his "pregnant wit" and once said, "Charity begins at home, but should not end there." * Even today, the village is very proud of him—you’ll often find his quotes inscribed in the local community pub, The White Lion, just down the road. What to Look For Inside The "Wonky" Architecture: The church has a mix of styles because it’s been rebuilt and patched up over nearly 900 years. You’ll see heavy, rounded Norman arches on one side of the nave and more pointed "Early English" ones on the other. It gives the interior a slightly mismatched, organic feel. The Ancient Font: There is a square font made of Purbeck Marble that dates back to the early 1200s. It’s been used to baptize village children for eight centuries. The Bells: The tower holds a ring of six bells. Some of them are "pre-Reformation," meaning they’ve been swinging in that tower since before Henry VIII broke away from Rome. The "Compromise" Clock: If you’re there during the day, you’ll hear the clock chime. There was a recent local debate about whether it should chime at night; in a very "British village" move, they compromised—it now stays quiet from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM so the neighbors can sleep!

A main south west hotspot for hunting fossils

So much history in one building, I've created a highlight which includes all the amazing history,plus about 60 pictures. It's well worth a visit

* Historical Significance: A church was first founded on the site in the 9th century by Alfred the Great. The current building incorporates various architectural styles, including Norman, Early English, and Perpendicular, reflecting centuries of reconstruction and expansion. * Connection to Sir George Somers: The grave of Sir George Somers, who founded the colony of Bermuda and whose adventures are said to have inspired Shakespeare's "The Tempest," is located under the vestry. * Dorset County Symbol: St. Wite is the patron saint of Dorset, and her cross was adopted as the new county symbol in a public vote in 2008. The church continues to be an active Church of England parish church and is lovingly cared for by a local group, the Friends of St Candida.

Undisturbed Relics of St. Wite (St. Candida): It is one of only two churches in England (the other being Westminster Abbey) that still contains the undisturbed relics of the saint to whom it is dedicated, St. Wite (also known by her Latin name, St. Candida). This has created an unbroken line of pilgrimage to her shrine for over 1,000 years. "Cathedral of the Vale": It is known locally as "The Cathedral of the Vale" due to its historical significance and prominence in the Marshwood Vale. * Ancient Pilgrimage Site: The church has been a significant pilgrimage site for over a millennium, with pilgrims historically drawn by the reputation of St. Wite and the belief in the healing powers of her shrine. The shrine has three holes in its base where the sick could place body parts or offerings in hopes of miraculous healing. * Survival of the Reformation: Remarkably, the shrine and its relics survived the English Reformation, during which many such sacred sites were destroyed.