Easy hikes and walks around Shapwick

Lovely ancient ruins at Badbury rings

nice ride

Great pub walk on the stour valley way

Old Roman rd dating 43 AD to 409 AD. Excavations on the line of the Dorchester road at Crab Farm revealed that it was above and therefore later than the filling of the three fortification ditches dating to the later 2nd century. Finds of coins above the road metalling were 3rd- 4th century in date. The Bath and Hamworthy roads are probably 1st or 2nd century in date. An earlier route to Old Sarum branches from the Bath and Hamworthy roads and is partly followed by the east boundary of the Batts Bed field. This was one of the key route centres of Roman Dorset, even more so if the Shapwick/ Pamphill parish boundary proves to be on the line of a road to Hod Hill and Ilchester. Apart from Dorchester there are no other crossroads like this in Dorset and because it is not occupied by a town it is often used in text books as an example of the Roman communications network.

Perfect place to park for free.

White Mill is an 18th-century water powered corn mill near Sturminster Marshall in Dorset on the River Stour which is in the care of the National Trust. The first record of a mill on the site is from Domesday Book; the current watermill was rebuilt in 1776 and extensively repaired in 1994. It still retains its original elm and applewood machinery though this can no longer be used. The mill and house are both built of brick with tiled roofs. The mill house has two stories whist the mill has three with an attic. The house has a single story lean-to extension and a timber porch. The machinery and mill stones remain but the two water wheels are no longer present. The present mill is thought to be on the site of an earlier one, probably one of those mentioned in Domesday Book. The current mill was rebuilt in 1776 on older foundations. The tenancy of the mill was the held by successive members of the Joyce family. The mill worked under water power until 1866 when a severe winter flood caused damage that was deemed beyond economic repair. The miller at the time was also a baker and he converted half of the mill to run from a portable steam engine to supply his bakery with flour. The last miller retired at the end of the 19th-century and the mill was not used again

There are documentary references to the building of "A Bridge on the River Stour adjacent to the White Mill" in the year 1175. Although the bridge you'll see today is probably a sixteenth century structure (somewhat hacked around by the Victorians). It is known, from an investigation of the foundations a few years ago, that the bridge stands on timber pilings which have themselves been carbon dated to the twelfth century. This is alleged to be the oldest bridge site in Dorset. Note the bridge warning plate "Any person wilfully damaging any part of this County Bridge will be guilty of Felony and upon conviction liable to be Transported For Life by the court"

People have been worshipping in this beautiful place for over a thousand years, the church dates back to the 13th century and there is a real feeling of tranquillity and spirituality here standing on the bank of the River Stour. In the beautiful village of Shapwick, with its thatched cottages and quiet lanes, and on the banks of the Stour, St Bartholomew's church is a gem. Shapwick lies in the Hundred of Badbury. In 1238 it was recorded as Shepwyk, the smallest of the four Manors in East Dorset. The church is of Norman 12th century date, with a square tower and restored over the centuries. It has a peal of three bells, one from 1570. The north chapel has a lovely Norman arch. The font is very worn, as are the pews. There is a 12th century font with 19th century cover. The church contains monumental brasses to Mary Oke (1440), whose house still stands on the Kingston Lacy estate, and Richard Chernok (1538). Church is open from daylight until dusk daily, with a small car park next to it.