Dorset Walks

2018 Programme of wildlife walks with Bob Ford



Unless otherwise stated, all walks are for 90 minutes over a distance of 1 - 2 miles and cost £4.00 - no booking required.

Click on the map reference to see a map showing each starting point.

Please note that where you see the wellies symbol the walk is likely to be very muddy.

Walks are never cancelled due to bad weather, but sometimes this list does have to be changed - so please check the latest version of this web site before you leave!

All walkers must disclose any relevant medical conditions to me by before the walk.


For more information or telephone 07980 967473

this update: December 28th 2018





links:
walks archive ...
birdbreaks archive ...
last year's walks ...
rodwell trail ...
video blog ...

Monday December 31st 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Underbarn, Portland Harbour
see trip report
Meet next to the Buxton Monument at the east end of Bincleaves Road,
map reference SY682782 (see map)


Friday December 28th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday December 24th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Radipole RSPB Reserve
see trip report
Meet at the reserve car park, near the visitor centre,
map reference SY675796 (click to see map)


Friday December 21st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday December 17th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Warmwell Quarry
see trip report
Meet at Lewell Farm, a mile east of West Stafford,
map reference SY742896 (click to see map)


Friday December 14th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday December 10th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve
see trip report
Meet at the car park before the Civic Amenity Site, Preston Beach Road,
map reference SY687809 (see map)


Friday December 7th - Sunday December 9th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday December 7th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday December 3rd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Chesil Beach, Cogden
see trip report
Meet in the National Trust car park,
map reference SY503883 (see map)


Friday November 30th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday November 26th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Moreton Gravel Pits
see trip report
Meet at Redbridge,
map reference SY789884 (see map)


Friday November 23rd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday November 19th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Arne RSPB Reserve
see trip report
Meet at the reserve car park, Arne
map reference SY972878 (click to see map)


Friday November 16th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday November 9th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday November 5th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Tidmoor Point, Charlestown
see trip report
Meet on Chickerell Road just west of Putton Lane,
map reference SY650794 (click to see map)

Friday November 2nd - Sunday November 4th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday November 2nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday October 29th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Thorncombe Woods
  see trip report
Meet at the car park for Hardy's Cottage,
map reference SY726922 (click to see map)


Friday October 26th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday October 22nd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Ridgeway
  see trip report
Meet at the pull-in on the Upwey - Martinstown road, on the bend at the top of Gould's Hill above Upwey,
map reference SY789884 (see map)


Friday October 19th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday October 15th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Upton Country Park
  see trip report
Meet in the main car park near the toilets,
map reference SY992929 (click to see map)

Friday October 12th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday October 8th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Rodden Hive
  see trip report
Meet at the layby just west of Langton Herring on the Rodden road,
map reference SY610827 (click to see map)


Friday October 5th - Sunday October 7th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday October 5th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday October 1st 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Pirates Lane, Wyke Regis
  see trip report
Meet at the top of Pirates Lane in Westhill Road,
map reference SY660773 (click to see map)

Friday September 28th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday September 24th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Meet in the main car park,
map reference SY961912 (click to see map)

Friday September 21st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday September 17th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Turner's Puddle
  see trip report
Meet near the church in Turner's Puddle,
map reference SY829934 (click to see map)


Friday September 14th - Sunday September 16th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday September 14th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday September 10th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Hamm Beach Low Tide walk
  see trip report
Meet outside the Chesil Beach Centre,
map reference SY668755 (see map)

Friday September 7th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday September 3rd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Dorchester Water Meadows
  see trip report
Meet at the junction of Eddison Avenue and St Georges Road
map reference SY704903 (click to see map)

Friday August 31st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday August 27th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Abbotsbury - Portesham Railway
see trip report
Meet in the village car park at Abbotsbury,
map reference SY579853 (see map)

Friday August 24th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday August 20th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Galton Heath
see trip report
Meet at the Tadnoll reserve entrance on Redbridge Road between East Knighton and Crossways,
map reference SY791877 (click to see map)


Monday August 13th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Blacknoll Heath, Winfrith
see trip report
Meet at the pull-in by the reserve entrance,
map reference SY805863 (map shows approximate position)


Friday August 10th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday August 6th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Wool Water Meadows
see trip report
Meet near the railway footbridge in Wool,
map reference SY841869 (click to see map)


Friday August 3rd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday July 27th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday July 23rd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Culpeppers Dish
see trip report
Meet at the picnic area,
map reference SY814924 (click to see map)

Friday July 20th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday July 16th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Warmwell Quarry 
see trip report
Meet at Lewell Farm, a mile east of West Stafford,
map reference SY742896 (click to see map)


Friday July 13th - Sunday July 15th
Butterflies and Wild Flowers Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Friday July 13th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday July 9th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
White Horse Hill 
see trip report
Meet at the start of the track over White Horse Hill,
map reference SY702852 (click to see map)


Friday July 6th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday July 2nd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Bincombe Down 
see trip report
Meet at the car park above the Weymouth Relief Road approx 1 km west of Came Woods,
map reference SY672859 (click to see map)



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Friday June 29th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday June 25th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Higher Hyde Heath, Bovington 
see trip report
Meet at reserve car park on the N.E. side of the Puddletown Road, between Bovington & Wareham,
map reference SY854899 (click to see map)

Friday June 22nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday June 18th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Chickerell Downs 
see trip report
Meet at the reserve entrance on Putton Lane, just north of Bennett's Water Gardens,
map reference SY651799 (see map)
.

Friday June 15th - Sunday June 17th
Butterflies and Wild Flowers Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday June 15th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday June 11th 9.00 - 10.30 pm
Tadnoll Heath 
see trip report
An evening walk to see nightjars. Meet at the reserve entrance on Redbridge Road between East Knighton and Crossways,
map reference SY791877 (click to see map)


Friday June 8th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday June 4th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Sutton Poyntz 
see trip report
Meet by the village pond,
map reference SY706838 (click to see map)


Friday June 1st 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday May 28th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Two Mile Coppice 
see trip report
Meet at the start of Greenway Road,
map reference SY672817 (click to see map)


Friday May 25th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday May 21st 8.00 - 9.30 pm
Preston, Weymouth   see trip report

An evening walk to hear nightingales.
Meet on Church Road near St Andrews Church, map reference SY706830, (click to see map)


Friday May 18th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday May 14th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Radipole RSPB Reserve, Weymouth  
see trip report
Meet at the reserve car park, near the visitor centre,
map reference SY675796 (click to see map)


Friday May 11th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday May 7th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Meet in the main car park,
map reference SY961912 (click to see map)

Friday May 4th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday April 30th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
West Bexington
  see trip report
Meet in the car park on the beach,
map reference SY531864 (see map)

Friday April 27th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday April 23rd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Pirates Cove
  see trip report
Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre,
map reference SY668755 (see map)

Friday April 20th - Sunday April 22nd
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday April 20th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday April 16th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Holton Lee
  see trip report
Meet in the main car park,
map reference SY961912 (click to see map)

Friday April 13th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday April 9th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Hardy Monument
  see trip report
Meet at the layby 0.25 miles to the east of the Hardy Monument,
map reference SY616877 (click to see map)

Friday April 6th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday April 2nd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Hamm Beach Low Tide walk
  see trip report
Meet outside the Chesil Beach Centre,
map reference SY668755 (see map)

Friday March 30th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday March 26th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Holton Heath
  see trip report
Meet at Holton Heath station,
map reference SY946902 (click to see map)


Friday March 23rd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland, map reference SY688729 (click to see map)

Monday March 19th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Underbarn, Portland Harbour
  see trip report
Meet next to the Buxton Monument at the east end of Bincleaves Road,
map reference SY682782 (see map)


Friday March 16th - Sunday March 18th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday March 16th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday March 12th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Thorncombe Woods, Higher Bockhampton
  see trip report
Meet at the car park for Hardy's Cottage,
map reference SY726922 (click to see map)


Friday March 9th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday March 5th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Maiden Castle
  see trip report
Meet at the English Heritage car park,
map reference SY669889 (click to see map)

Friday March 2nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday February 26th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Portland Harbour
  see trip report
Meet in Sandsfoot Castle gardens near the cafe,
map reference SY675774 (see map)


Friday February 23rd - Sunday February 25th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday February 23rd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday February 19th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Warmwell Quarry
  see trip report
Meet at Lewell Farm, a mile east of West Stafford,
map reference SY742896 (click to see map)


Monday February 12th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Culpeppers Dish
  see trip report
Meet at the picnic area,
map reference SY814924 (click to see map)


Friday February 9th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday February 2nd 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)



Monday January 29th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Two Mile Coppice
  see trip report
Meet at the start of Greenway Road,
map reference SY672817 (click to see map)


Friday January 26th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday January 22nd 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Beachcombing walk on Weymouth Beach
  see trip report
Meet at the Pavilion car park,
map reference SY683788 (click to see map)


Friday January 19th - Sunday January 21st
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday January 19th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday January 15th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
Puddletown Forest
  see trip report
Meet in the 2nd pull-in from the south on the road between Tincleton and Puddletown known as "Rhodedendron Mile",
map reference SY744921 (click to see map)


Friday January 12th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Monday January 8th 2.30 - 4.00 pm
East Fleet
  see trip report
Meet on Camp Road,
map reference SY653773 (click to see map)


Friday January 5th
Birdbreak Weekend
  see trip report
Please book with The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)


Friday January 5th 10.00 - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
This walk includes a free coffee afterwards in the hotel bistro!
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (click to see map)








For more information or telephone 07980 967473.

Details on this site are subject to change - check the latest update before you leave!