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Three Horseshoes InnPowerstock, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3TF
Tel. 01308 485328
Walk Details
Time: 2 hrs approx
Distance: 4 miles approx
Level/grade: Moderate with stiles
Paths: Footpaths, field paths, quiet country lane
Landscape: Valley, grassland, woodland, village.
Overview
The Three Horseshoes is a Victorian inn is set in the picturesque village of Powerstock which has a beautiful Norman church and is surrounded by excellent Dorset walking country. It prides itself on its use of fresh, local produce, some of which comes from its own vegetable garden. The Three Horseshoes is recommended in both The Good Pub Guide and the AA Pub Guide.
Dogs are welcome in the guest rooms and the bar.
The walk takes you through a nameless valley which has a charm that lies largely in its natural state: hedgerows are retained, the rough grassland is too steep for ploughing and gorse thrives; there is a profusion of wild flowers in spring and early summer and Fallow deer are often seen in the winter.
West Milton church tower stands by itself at the edge of a field, looking over to Eggardon Hill, capped by one of England’s most impressively sited ancient hill-forts. The church was demolished in the 1840’s, its stone used for building Powerstock school (the building with Gothic windows passed by at the start of the walk), after which a new church was built in the village. Powerstock church has quaint 19th century murals and a highly ornamented Norman chancel arch.
The route leads immediately into remote countryside, with charming local views followed by a deeper and even less spoilt valley beyond West Milton. The return from South Poorton is along the quietest of country lanes. Paths are not visible all the way, but route finding is reasonably easy.
Directions to Start
The village of Powerstock is about 5 miles north east of Bridport between the A35 and A3066.
The Walk
My Favourite Pub Walks .com
Dedicated to Pub Walkers across the UK
(1) Start the walk from opposite the church in Powerstock and take the lane with No Through Road sign just to the right of the seat and signpost. Follow it down to the building on left with Gothic windows behind which turn left on the path between hedges. This soon bends right and runs along the side of the valley, with the stream always a short distance down to the left. Keep level: West Milton soon comes into view ahead.
(2) After half a mile pass house away to your left and keep forward, soon over footbridge, then bear uphill, just to left of prominent stone barn, finding gate into churchyard. Emerge onto road, turn right along it but after only 30 yards (3) take signposted track on right: keep to left of houses to reach gate, then follow track between hedges for 150 yards to a point where there are gates on both sides. Take fixed gate on the right and cross field, keeping level and skirting hillside on your left, to reach gate (4).
Route now follows left side of the valley, with stream close down to the right: there is a clear path nearly all the way, crossing next stile just above level of woods.
After one mile hedge is now on the right; (5) 200 yards later, cross stile on right as hedge bends left up subsidiary valley: keep forward in semi-wooded area, picking up clear path after 30 yards (with stream stile a short distance away to the right).
Eventually path is enclosed on both sides by hedges and bends left up to farm (on your left): just after, path reaches the road. (6) Turn right , into hamlet of South Poorton, then (7) sharp right opposite house with post-box in the wall, on surfaced lane.
20 minutes walking will take you back to the Three Horseshoes Inn at Powerstock, ignore left turns to Poorton Hill and Poorton Hill Farm.