An audio journey along the trail from the highest village to the sea.
Listen to each track to experience the Wessex Ridgeway Trail from the comfort of your own home or download it and take it with you on your travels. Experience and find out more about the trail through stories and information from local residents about their lives, loves and livelihoods. Hear about the breathtaking landscape and inspiring scenery, its rich historical past and the wildlife, people and places that make this area so special.
The guide is split into five tracks. Each track varies in length and content. The running time of the audio guide is approximately 53 mins. The tracks can be downloaded. CD ROM copies are available on request for a small charge.
Ashmore to Shillingstone (11:13)
Starting at Ashmore, stories from the highest village in Dorset, Hambledon Hill National Nature Reserve, Hod Hill's rich archaeological history and a poem created and read by children from Shillingstone Primary School
Shillingstone to Dorset Gap (10:36)
Somerset and Dorset Old Railway line, steam trains, Turnworth in Spring, Thomas Hardy, Hillside Singers, Higher Melcombe Estate and the famous Dorsetshire Gap
Dorset Gap to Maiden Newton (10:53)
Thomas Hardy - Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Gaggle of Geese poultry auction, the Cerne Giant, Friary of St Francis and Maiden Newton fundraiser for 1940's village at war event.
Maiden Newton to Beaminster (10:52)
Rampisham Masts, BBC World Service and transmitter station, History of Kingcombe Centre, Mapperton House and Beaminster's historical and literary past.
Beaminster to Lyme Regis (10:25)
Farming around Lewesdon, Broadwindsor and the Marshwood Vale, William Wordsworth, horse racing and fairs at Lamberts Castle, River Lim and Lyme Regis Town Mill, World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast and dinosaurs.
Acknowledgements
Dorset Council wishes to express much appreciation to the following: Trilith, Trevor Bailey, Ali Grant, James Harrison, Margery Hookings, John Burgess, Graham Hemsley, Ramblers Association, Edith Langley, Carol Shoopman, Ian Nicol, Natural England, Martin Papworth, National Trust, Brian South, Children from Shillingstone Primary Schools, Keith Barratt, Tony Ward, Jack Yeatman, Dorothy Raven, Michael Woodhouse, Wendy Barber, Mark Hammick, Gaggle of Geese, Richard Hicks, Robert Rhodes, Richard Thornbury, Brother Hugh, Hilfield Friary, Ian Hambridge, Andy Elliot, Peter Thomas, Martin Biss, Kingcombe Centre, Ann Hawker, Beaminster WI, John Kemp, Carillon, David Craner, Jean Frampton, Les Bagwell, Peter Hardwill, Sally Holman, Lyme Regis Town Mill, Paul Crossley, Demelza Hyde & Catherine Annetts.
Copyright details
The copyright in this compilation and artwork are owned by Dorset Council. All rights reserved. Unauthorised copying, reproduction, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting prohibited.
The audio guide can be listened to whilst using the trail or at home before or after a visit. It can also be enjoyed by people who cannot access the whole length of the trail.