South Dorset Ramblers

Britain's biggest walking charity

Working for walkers

The South Dorset Group is one of several hundred local groups of the Ramblers’ Association (RA). A charitable organisation with some 140,000 members, the RA is the largest representative body of walkers in Great Britain.

Its aims are:

• protecting Britain’s unique network of public paths

• striving to increase access to currently forbidden land

• safeguarding the beauty of Britain’s countryside
• providing advice on all aspects of walking

South Dorset Ramblers organise a variety of guided walks each week:

• every Wednesday all day from 6 to 12 miles
• every Saturday all day from 6 to 12 miles
• every Sunday all day from 6 to 12 miles

The Group also organise other regular activities:

• about twice a month on a Thursday, a shorter walk of between 3 and 4 miles

• railway walks in conjunction with Wessex Trains during the summer months

• walking holidays in other parts of Britain and in Europe

• annual Christmas dinner

• occasional barn dance, skittles or similar social function

The Group aims to promote the RA’s objectives in our area by monitoring proposed changes to Rights of Way (ROW), checking the state of paths and opposing developments that have a negative impact on the countryside. We check that existing ROW are usable and carry out path clearing where necessary. We also publicise the RA and its work in the area.

Have a browse through our Walks Programme to see just what we have to offer. This could be your first step to participating in healthy outdoor exercise, while at the same time meeting new people and making new friends.

Click here for health benefits of walking

For further information please contact the Group Secretary on the Contacts page.