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Weymouth / Dorchester

[ Cycle routes Tour de Manche ] [ Dorset ]
  • 13.7 km
  • intermediaire Level Intermediate

Leaving Weymouth’s Georgian seafront, and its arc of golden sand and historic Nothe Fort, with its labyrinth of underground passageways, you cycle through Dorset’s unspoilt landscape, exploring many places which inspired Thomas Hardy’s ‘Wessex’ novels - arriving at Dorchester… the real life ‘Casterbridge’.

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Itinerary

Follow signs for NCN26 and Petit Tour de Manche. Route is mainly traffic-free on tarmac-surfaced cycle paths. Short on-road section after Radipole Lake before climb to Mount Pleasant. Rejoin cycle path as it runs alongside main road. Ascent of 150m above sea level, the final 0.5km being the steepest part. Take care crossing A35 stadium roundabout and follow the NCN26/PTM cycle path alongside the B3147 past the supermarket into Dorchester, or alternative signed route to avoid this crossing.

TIC

Weymouth 01305 785747

Dorchester 01305 267992

 

Railway lines

South West Trains Weymouth > London Waterloo : Weymouth, Upwey & Dorchester South stations. 

First Great Western Weymouth > Bristol : Weymouth, Upwey & Dorchester West stations

 

Not to be missed

Maiden Castle, large ancient Iron Age hill fort - first occupied more than 6,000 years ago - climb its ramparts for dramatic views across West Dorset. - Portland, 6km-long island south of Weymouth - host of sailing events in London 2012 Olympic Games - famous for its stone, used in many of the UK's most famous buildings - Tout Quarry contains stone sculptures by local artists

 

Markets

Weymouth, 2nd Sunday of the month, 10h-15h; Dorchester, 4th Saturday of the month, 09h-13h; Dorchester (Poundbury), 1st Saturday of the month, 09h-13h

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Jurassic coast

 

Dorset and Devon are home to the 150km Jurassic Coast, which stretches from Old Harry Rocks near Swanage to Orcombe Point near Exmouth. Classed as a World Heritage site, its ancient geological formations vividly document 180 million years of Earth’s geological history. The stunning Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are worth a detour - both to marvel at their formation and to take a refreshing dip. Further west in Lyme Regis and Charmouth you can indulge in a spot of fossil hunting.

 

 

Weymouth Historic Harbour & Georgian Seafront

 

Weymouth was already an ancient fishing town with its picturesque harbour and stone pier when King George III established the Dorset port as his favourite royal holiday resort in the 18th century. The rich and famous came to flocking to Weymouth's natural, soft golden sands and safe, therapeutic bathing waters. The result is the finest Georgian façade in England, overlooking England’s very own “Bay of Naples” set in beautiful scenery of coastline, cliffs and rolling hills in the distance.

 

 

 

 

Thomas Hardy's Wessex

 

Experience the rolling hills, slumbering dairy pastures and the solitary heathland of “Hardy’s Wessex” made famous by author Thomas Hardy. The real Hardy’s Wessex is a place of enchanting pastoral countryside and heath dotted with ancient towns and villages which appear under fictional names in his writing.  Visit Hardy’s birthplace at Higher Bockhampton and Max Gate in Dorchester, which he designed and where he lived for 40 years and completed some of his most famous novels.

 

 

 

 

 

Dorset's ancient history

 

Dorset has been occupied since the end of the Ice Age. Stark outlines of iron age forts can still be traced on many hilltops; powerful carvings grace the landscape; the heathland between Wool and Dorchester is rich in archaeology and the Romans’ indelible mark can be found in ancient towns like Dorchester.

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