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Pamphill Walks

5.72 miles (9.2 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This delightful Dorset settlement near Wimborne includes typical village features such as a picturesque green, a cricket pitch, a fine old church and quaint thatched cottages.
This circular walk from the village visits Kingston Lacy, Sturminster Marshall and the River Stour. On the way there's country views, riverside paths and bluebell woods to explore.
The walk starts from the car park at Pamphill Green and heads north west to skirt the edge of Kingston Lacy House, passing the pretty bluebell woods at Abbot Street Copse on the way.
You follow a country lane west before picking up the Stour Valley Way and following the waymarked footpath west to visit the pretty neighbouring village of Sturminster Marshall where there's some lovely views of the river Stour. Near here you can also visit the National Trust's White Mill. The 18th century mill is open for informative tours on certain days.
From Sturminster Marshall you retrace your steps before following Cowgrove Road back to Little Pamphill and the car park.
You can extend the walk by entering the grounds of Kingston Lacy House where there are miles of trails around the expansive parkland and gardens.

Postcode

BH21 4ED - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Pamphill OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Pamphill Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head to the lovely Pamphill Dairy for some post walk refreshment. There's a farm shop and cafe selling a good range of meals, snacks and ice creams here. You can find them at Hillbutts with postcode BH21 4ED for you sat navs.
If you fancy a pub lunch then head to the Vine Inn. The award winning pub has been managed by the same family for 120 years. It's a splendid place with a patio garden for warmer days. You can find them at postcode BH21 4EE.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To continue your walking around the village you could head to Badbury Rings. From the Iron Age hillfort there are wonderful views over the Cranborne Chase AONB and the Wiltshire Downs.
Just to the north there's the pretty village of Witchampton where you can visit the 19th century watermill on the River Allen. It's a picturesque spot with a 15th century church and the nearby Crichel Park to see as well.
If you head west along the river you could visit the neighbouring village of Spetisbury where you can enjoy a climb to the Spetisbury Rings Iron Age Hill Fort. There are some lovely views over the area from the top of the ancient fort.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Dorset Walks page.

Photos

Pamphill School and Almshouses - geograph.org.uk - 600125

Pamphill School and Almshouses. Roger Gillingham's original school and almshouses which he endowed in 1698, have now been incorporated into the modern day Pamphill Church of England First School. The old free school is the central portion, with the adjoining alms houses forming east and west wings. Above the entrance door to the school is an inscribed stone plaque.

Pamphill, spot the ball^ - geograph.org.uk - 452679

Pamphill cricket, spot the ball.

Pamphill Green, Dorset - geograph.org.uk - 1061077

Pamphill Green. This avenue of trees leads down from St Stephen's church on the Kingston Lacy estate to Pamphill and the River Allen

Pamphill, No. 534 - geograph.org.uk - 521761

Cottage in the village.

St Stephen's Church, Pamphill - geograph.org.uk - 1471147

St Stephen's Church. The church was built in 1907 in the Arts and Crafts style.

Cowgrove - geograph.org.uk - 1438044

Cowgrove

White Mill Bridge, Sturminster Marshall (geograph 2018877)

White Mill Bridge, Sturminster Marshall

Bluebells in Abbott St copse - geograph.org.uk - 1195869

 Bluebells in Abbott St copse. In late April, a walk down All Fool's Lane, across the stile and round the copse to see the bluebells is one of the best I know.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Pamphill.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Pamphill.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)