Footscape Holidays

Inland Heritage Inn to Inn Walk

This is a linear walking tour of 54 miles (87 km), which starts in Shaftesbury and ends in Dorchester, Dorset’s county town. We classify the walk as moderate, which means that the terrain is undulating, with some long, easy sections interspersed with some quite steep ups and downs.

If you want to discover rural England at its best - in one of the most beautiful, historic and unchanged parts of the country - then our Inland Heritage trail is ideal. It took us three months to identify, walk and research the trail, and we are very pleased with the result.  

It is a simple formula: you walk from one place on the trail to the next, staying in a different place each night, with your baggage moved for you. You choose your own dates, subject to availability, as well as the average number of miles to walk each day, within certain limits. 

About the walk

The route, which involves very little road walking, winds its way through the best of rural Dorset, through mature woodland, along open ridges, over Celtic and Roman hill forts and into quiet, unspoilt English villages, all with their church and most with their pub. There is an abundance of wildlife to see: rabbits, deer, foxes, squirrels, pheasants, buzzards, butterflies and many other fauna. For lovers of trees, hedgerows and wild flowers, this trail is ideal. Even in the summer, the paths and tracks are usually deserted, and you are left to enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of the landscape on your own. 

If you walk an average of about 11 miles (18 kms) a day, you can complete the full trail in 5 days (without any rest days), i.e. a 6 night holiday. If you prefer to walk an average of 9 miles (14.5 kms) a day, you will need 6 days to do the full trail. It is also possible to walk fewer miles each day and to do only a part of the trail. You might also wish to have one or more stopovers during the course of your hike. Please provide all relevant details on the enquiry form.

Accommodation and services

The accommodation on this inn to inn walking holiday is of a very good standard, but the number of rooms is limited. So we cannot unfortunately accept large groups (or dogs), and we strongly advise you to book early. The price of your holiday includes a full English breakfast each morning (or continental if you prefer), a detailed and informative Trail Guide and baggage transfers. We will also supply you with the relevant ordnance survey maps, with the Footscape trail highlighted.

Trail Highlights

• The hill-top town of Shaftesbury with its much photographed “Gold Hill”
• The royal hunting grounds of Cranborne Chase
• The restored, weird and wonderful Larmer Tree Gardens
• A succession of beautiful stone and thatch villages
• The iron age hill forts of Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill
• Milton Abbey and the extraordinary village of Milton Abbas
• The quintessentially English village of Cerne Abbas and its mysterious “Giant”
• The historic town and museums of Dorchester.