Hiking

A Weymouth walk starting at Holy Trinity Church, which just scrapes into the Georgian era by a year as opened in 1836, a year before Queen Victoria took the Crown.

King George loved Weymouth so much when he visited in the 1780s, he returned in 1791 and returned every year until 1805. Weymouth grew from a small quiet fishing port to the most trendy seaside resort in the country.

There are many interesting sights on this trail such as the World War II Gun Emplacement Viewing Point,  Rodwell Station, Sandsfoot Halt and the site of Whiteheads Torpedo Factory. In addition, you will have spectacular views over Portland Harbour with Portland in the distance.

When you think of walking on Portland you may think first of the area down towards the Bill, the picturesque east coast around Church Ope Cove, you probably wouldn’t consider wandering around a disused quarry. But it is the quarries where the heart of Portland once lay.

After a lengthy discussion we agreed on a walk from Lower Bockhampton, which is a small hamlet east of Dorchester to St Michael’s Church, Stinsford and at Thomas Hardy’s Headstone.

Portland’s quarrying history has created distinctive, almost lunar, landscape to explore, and one of my favourite spots is Kings Barrow Nature Reserve, located behind the Portland Heights Hotel off Yeates Road.

Looking for a new pair of walking boots? Keep these tips in mind. 1. Thick socks can leave you cold. A sock’s main purpose is to keep your foot dry …

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