The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Winterborne Stickland

Who doesn't like working up an appetite when out walking? Have a little play on the swing then chill and have snack and a read on the many logs.... but not this log, this is my log. find your own!!

If churches were people, St Mary’s in Winterborne SticklandClick to open side panel for more information would be the village elder who has seen everything but still wears a sharp, flint-patterned suit. Dating back to the 13th century, this Grade I listed beauty is a fantastic mash-up of architectural eras. It features a sturdy 15th-century tower and a 16th-century porch that looks like it’s been waiting for a wedding party for five hundred years. The "Don't Miss" List The Pulpit: A stunning 15th-century wooden masterpiece that’s somehow survived the centuries without being turned into a coffee table. The Roof: Look up! The barrel-vaulted ceiling in the nave is a work of art that makes you realize medieval builders didn't need power tools to be impressive. The Atmosphere: Unlike the "no through road" silence of Houghton, St Mary’s feels like the beating heart of the village. It’s grand, welcoming, and perfectly placed for a post-hike reflection.

Though it sounds like a character from a lost Tolkien novel, the "River Wimborne" is actually a bit of a local identity crisis. Nowadays, most people call it the River Allen, but back in Saxon times, it was the Wimburnia—meaning "meadow stream." It’s a "twin-bourne" town (Wimborne Minster) where the tiny, clear Allen finally crashes the party of the much larger River Stour. The quirky part? The Allen is a rare, pristine chalk stream that’s so posh it’s mostly private, home to high-society trout and very grumpy native white-clawed crayfish. It’s basically the VIP lounge of Dorset waterways!

If you’re looking for a church that perfectly captures the "hidden gem at the end of the world" vibe, St Andrew’s ChurchClick to open side panel for more information in Winterborne Houghton is your spot. It sits at the very end of a "no through road," meaning the only things likely to disturb your peace are a passing tractor or a particularly opinionated pheasant. While the current building was largely rebuilt in 1861, it feels much older, mostly because it stands on a site that has been holy ground since at least the 14th century. The Architecture: It’s a classic example of Victorian Gothic Revival, built using the local "Dorset special"—flint and stone banding that makes it look wonderfully rustic. Historical Fragments: Despite the 19th-century glow-up, the church kept some of its medieval soul, including a 15th-century font where centuries of Houghton villagers have had their heads dampened. The "Dead End" Charm: Because the road literally stops just past the church, there is a profound sense of stillness here. It’s the kind of place where you can sit on a bench and hear a sheep sneeze three fields away. The Interior: It’s simple, bright, and unpretentious, reflecting the quiet farming community it has served for generations.

If the phone box in Winterborne Kingston is the village library, the Red Phone Box in Winterborne Houghton is the local "Information Overlord" with a side of botanical flair. Nestled in this dead-end valley (where the road literally stops because the hills said "no"), this K6 kiosk has officially retired from the stress of long-distance calls. Instead, it has embraced a peaceful second career as a Community Hub and Information Point. The Decor: It’s often meticulously maintained by locals who treat it more like a prized garden ornament than a piece of utility hardware. Depending on the season, you might find it sporting festive wreaths or local notices. The "Signal": In a village where mobile reception is basically a polite suggestion, the sight of a phone box is a hilarious irony. It stands there, glowing red and proud, mocking your "No Service" bars with its 1930s reliability. The Vibe: It’s the perfect spot to check a local map, swap a story, or just shelter from a rogue Dorset drizzle while pretending you're in a mid-century spy thriller.

* Dissolution: Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, the Abbey and estate were acquired by Sir John Tregonwell, a lawyer for Henry VIII. The Abbey church was allowed to become the parish church. * 18th Century Changes: In the late 18th century, Joseph Damer, Lord Milton (later Earl of Dorchester), decided the nearby market town of Milton (or Middleton) disturbed his ideal of rural peace. He had the entire town demolished and created the planned village of Milton Abbas. He also commissioned the landscape gardener Capability Brown to design the parkland around a new mansion he built on the site of the old Abbey buildings, keeping only part of the church. * Restoration: The church was restored around 1790 by James Wyatt and again in 1865 by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

The first church on the site was founded around 934 AD by the Saxon King Athelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great. It is said he had a vision of defeating the Danes while camping nearby and built the church in gratitude. * Benedictine Abbey: About thirty years later, King Edgar established a Benedictine monastery there. * Fire and Rebuilding: A fire caused by lightning destroyed the Norman church in 1309. The current Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Saint Sansom and Saint Branwalader largely dates from the 14th century, with some 15th-century additions like the north transept and tower extension. The nave as originally planned was never built.

The chapel dates back to the late Norman period, around 1190, making it the oldest building within the Milton Abbas complex. It was built by the monks of Milton Abbey as a pilgrim chapel.