The Dorset Jubilee Trail

1995 was the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the Ramblers’ Association. To celebrate, each of the Areas forming the national organisation undertook a special project. Dorset chose to create and launch a 90 mile (145km) route across the county. The Dorset Jubilee Trail was opened on 24 September 1995.

The Dorset Jubilee Trail runs from Forde Abbey on the Somerset border in the west, across Dorset to Bokerley Dyke in the northeast on the Hampshire border. The route was compiled and surveyed in the summer of 1994. It runs through the catchment areas of the four groups in the county. In South Dorset it runs from Wynford Eagle via Hardy’s Monument, Upwey, Whitcombe and West Knighton to Moreton. The chosen route sought to avoid existing trails and popular rights of way and to seek out the little known and little used paths in order to open them up for all to enjoy.

The Trail winds through quiet villages, passing rural churches and offers extensive views over the rolling downs and secret valleys that make Dorset so special.

A guide has been published which describes the route and includes information on car parks, places of interest near the trail, mileages and other data to assist in planning a walk along the Trail. The Trail also has its own special waymark to make it easier to follow.

The third edition of A Rambler’s Guide to the Dorset Jubilee Trail has now been  published: June 2008.   This edition comprises nearly 50 pages and is well illustrated with photographs and detailed colour maps showing the route.

It can be obtained from The Jubilee Trail Contact

19 Shaston Crescent,  Dorchester, DT1 2EB