The best cycling routes around Melbury Abbas

This is a fabulous route and while it's all doable on 32mm tyres to get the best enjoyment out of it I'd take your gravel bike and watch out for potholes.

Historic Significance: It is a Grade I Listed Building (the highest level of protection), noted for its special architectural and historic interest. Age: The first record of the bridge dates back to 1334, suggesting its medieval origins, with parts of the current structure likely dating to the 15th century. Construction: It is built of coursed rubble and ashlar stone and features nine semi-circular arches. Widening: The bridge was widened in 1819. The upstream side is the original, medieval part and features triangular cut-waters which extend up to form pedestrian refuges. The downstream side is the later, plainer widening. Inscriptions: There is a reset stone on the east side of the bridge inscribed with the year 1719. Name Origin: The bridge is named Crawford Bridge because it carries the road from Spetisbury to Tarrant Crawford. The nearby area of Spetisbury was historically one of three manors, including Great Crawford.

Single lane beware of on coming vehicles

St Peter's Church is the oldest church in Shaftesbury, located at the top of the famous Gold Hill, right next to the ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey. It is a key historic building and a prominent part of the town's landscape. St Peter's Church was originally built in the 14th century to serve pilgrims visiting the nearby Shaftesbury Abbey. Due to economic hardships, such as the Black Death, its construction was prolonged, resulting in a mix of architectural styles, including Decorated and Perpendicular Gothic. The lower part of the tower is the oldest section of the current building. The nave and its arcades are from the 14th century, while the clerestory and the panelled oak roofs were added in the 15th and 16th centuries. The church also features a crypt under its south aisle. Decline and Restoration: By the late 19th century, St Peter's fell into disuse and disrepair. It was even used as a grain store during World War II. In 1971, it was officially declared redundant. However, a major restoration effort was launched by local groups, and in 1977, it was rededicated and became the parish church of Shaftesbury once again. It was the first church in the country to be re-established as a full-time parish church after being declared redundant.

Holy Trinity Church in Shaftesbury is a Grade II listed building with a rich history, but it is no longer a consecrated place of worship. Today, it is known as the Trinity Centre, a vibrant community hub. The current building, designed in the Early English Gothic Revival style by the famous architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, was largely built between 1841 and 1842 on the site of an even older medieval church. The new building featured a 100-foot-tall western tower and a chancel that was added in 1908. It was the principal Anglican parish church in Shaftesbury for over a century, even as the nearby St Peter's Church fell into disuse. However, with declining congregation numbers, Holy Trinity was made redundant as a parish church in 1977. Its congregation was transferred back to the newly restored St Peter's Church, and the Holy Trinity building was sold. I find it weird how a church can be sold off to become a selection of business's, while still keeping its graveyard.

Interior Details: The interior is known for its high-quality flint work on the tower walls and a range of interesting features: Pulpit: A magnificent 15th-century pulpit is a central feature. Font: A 12th-century font is another medieval survival. Tomb Recess: Against the north wall, there is a canopied tomb recess from the 14th century. For a long time, it was thought to be a rare "Easter Sepulchre," but a skeleton was found inside during the 1860s restoration, suggesting it was a tomb. Organ: The church's organ is a fascinating piece of its history. An 18th-century Walker organ, it was gifted to the church and is said to have been used for choir practice at Westminster Abbey before its installation here. The church, set on a rise at the north-west corner of the village, is part of the "Knowlton Circle Benefice," which also includes nearby parishes like Cranborne and Wimborne St Giles, both of which are included on this cycle route.

All Saints Church is the parish church for the village of Gussage All Saints in Dorset. It's a Grade I listed building with a long and layered architectural history, primarily reflecting the Early English and Decorated Gothic styles. Medieval Origins: The church's main body, including the nave and chancel, dates largely to the early 14th century. The walls are constructed from a mix of local flint, rubble, and various types of stone, including Shaftesbury Sandstone and Heathstone. The Tower: The impressive west tower was built in several stages. Its lower part dates to the 14th century, while the upper stages and embattled parapet were added in the 15th century. The tower is particularly distinctive for its use of alternating bands of flint and ashlar stone. Victorian Restoration: Like many English churches, All Saints underwent a significant Victorian restoration. In 1864, architect Ewan Christian carried out extensive work. A notable change from this period was the moving of the original medieval chancel arch to the north wall, where it now frames the organ. A new chancel arch was then built by the architect John Hicks, who was a mentor to the famous novelist Thomas Hardy.

St. Giles Church is known for its numerous monuments, particularly those dedicated to the Earls of Shaftesbury. Sir Anthony Ashley's Tomb: A historic highlight is the spectacular gilded tomb of Sir Anthony Ashley, dating to 1628. The tomb features intricate classical columns and symbolism. A curious detail is a sphere at his feet, which has been the subject of various theories, including that it represents a globe, a jewel, or even a cabbage. Ashley-Cooper Family Memorials: The church houses several other memorials to the Ashley-Cooper family, including tombs for the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 9th Earls. The 1st Earl's memorial includes a bust by Rysbrack, and the 3rd Earl's is a grand wall monument by Scheemakers. Crusader Effigy: There is a much-restored 14th-century effigy of a crusading knight, believed to be Sir John de Plecy. Comper's Work: The interior is almost entirely a result of Sir Ninian Comper's restoration. This includes the highly decorated screen separating the nave and chancel, new stained glass windows, and the gilded tester over the altar.