WALKS IN DORSET at ASHMORE (THE HIGHEST VILLAGE IN DORSET) (4K)

In this episode of my series “ Walks in Dorset”, I take a walk in & around the village of Ashmore in the North east of the county, very close to the Wiltshire / Dorset border . Once again I am accompanied by my Whippet, Logan.
I park my car at the recreation ground by the village hall and start my 3 mile circular walk with a wander through the village. The starting point is the beautiful pond in the centre of the village - famous for being the central location of the annual “Filly Foo” Festival. After visiting the Church of St Nicholas, I head North past Stags Head Cottage & Mullins Cottage (both of which have an interesting history) before heading back Eastwards past the old Forge & Methodist chapel.
I then head out into the countryside and follow a path along the Dorset / Wiltshire border before heading South West past Mudoak Wood & Well Bottom to follow a track through some woods (Elderen Row).
At a signpost, I start my homeward leg, heading North back to the village, along a section of the Wessex Ridgeway.
My walk ends back at the pond where there is a handy bench to sit and relax on!
NB: I should have removed my cap when I was in the church - please accept my apologies for the oversight.
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
Music by Original Spruce (Copyright owner). Permission for me to use this track has been given to me by the copyright owner. 2022. Tracks (in order of appearance in the video): 1) Nicely Stone, 2) Pembrokeshire, 3) Marching The Moors 4) Eko Eko, 5) Open The G, 6) No Time For Lillies, 7) Marching The Moors & 8) Martin Down. (.To download these tracks & other music by Original Spruce go to: spruce1.bandcamp.com Note:
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.wixsite.com/website
My Facebook page is: / davescountrysidewalks
I use a GOPRO HERO 7, 8 or 10 Black Action Camera (sometimes with a Gimbal) & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

[@susantaylor927]

Thank you Dave and Logan!😊 Another beautiful area! Thanks to your walks, we are armchair virtual visitors to so many wonderful places! We are enriched!😊

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Susan. That pond is quite enchanting!

[@isabelgbrooks]

You're a natural on camera! A village location we also love. Thank you.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Isabel and indeed thanks for watching.

[@Originalspruce]

Dave I have the Box set of Old Country......a real favourite of mine and of course that opening scene of Jack leading the pony around Ashmore pond. What a total thrill to hear my music playing whilst you recreate the scene. Many thanks for that. A very special moment.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Mark. I used to love watching Jack's programmes too.

[@craigmarsh3221]

Good evening Dave thank you for such enjoyable and delightful video

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Craig. :)

[@eleanorstraberrylaces2693]

After watching yet another of your great videos we did this walk yesterday. Ashmore is a hidden gem, we even saw the shoals of goldfish in the pond! Thanks Dave, you're an inspiration 😊

[@DaveFord]

Glad you had a great walk - looks like you had good weather too!

[@JezDavis]

Thank you for filming this walk Dave with your fine dog, I lived in Well Bottom in the 90's and almost everyday spent time walking my dog on the paths around Ashmore and the area you visited. Not been able to get back all these years so nice to see those familiar places again

[@DaveFord]

What a lovely place to have lived in. Thank you for watching.

[@markshrimpton3138]

I loved the little follow through when you threw the ball for Logan and it appeared on both camera angles; a nice touch.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Mark. (It probably took more than one "take" but Logan was very obliging!).

[@laviniagray5637]

That beautiful church looked small! but big on the inside. All of that village is so beautiful. love all the history. thank you both. A lovely day for a walk.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lavinia. Yes, I wasn't expecting it to be so "big" inside, after looking from the outside!

[@houseofharmony7307]

What a beautiful part of the world, Dave. Thanks so much for another great video.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. It is such a pretty village.

[@user-rd3te5bl6f]

So pleased that I have found your videos Dave after hearing you on Alfred. Brilliant, many thanks

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Rosa and indeed welcome to the channel! I hope that you enjoy the future videos in the series. Thanks for watching.

[@keithjoseph5671]

Wonderful village with stunning beauty and a amazing walk in the countryside

[@Caj55]

Another great video,thank you very much. Did not realise it is the highest village in Dorset. I have some photos of my crystal green Cortina parked near the pond many years ago. Lovely place,thanks again,

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Colin. When the sun is out, there are some great reflections on the pond.

[@rachelt-s]

I've never been to Ashmore - past by the sign to it on the way to Shaftesbury. One of these days I must visit - it looks delightful. A lot of hard work, time and research goes into these videos - thank you so much for your efforts. 😊

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Rachel. Yes, you must make a small detour to visit - especially on a sunny day - to see the reflections on the pond.

[@jeanblemings5352]

What a beautiful village. It really did look like it was from another time. And well done in finding that last earthwork. I enjoy your researches and telling us what should be there - even when it isn't!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jean. Half the time I am probably looking in the wrong place!

[@jeanblemings5352]

@@DaveFord I think not. We 'lost' a whole Roman Road ourselves on Kevin's Rambles last walk! Though I did find a boundary stone where it was meant to be on St Martha's Hill the next day!!

[@catherinecampbell9232]

I so enjoyed your walk with Logan, here in the eastern US! My walking partner, Boone has the same coloring. His mom was a whippet, but he has Husky and poodle mixed in so he's much heavier. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more walks in the English countryside.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Catherine. Logan's official colouring is Red Fawn with a black mask .... although his mask is going grey as he gets older!

[@melissaphillips3088]

Lovely walk Dave and Logan. England is the most enchanting country. So many pretty villages to see. This is one of them. Just beautiful Dave. Thank you so much and give Logan a hug from me for being such a wonderful guide as well. Take care Dave👏🏻🙏🏻☀️

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Melissa. I think that Ashmore is one of the prettiest villages that Logan & I have come across on our travels in the series so far.

[@melissaphillips3088]

@@DaveFord I must agree Dave. You have shown me and others such beautiful places it just takes your breath away. So happy I found your channel. Thank you for all you do to inform people like me about these amazing places. I know it is work and I appreciate it so much. 💕🇺🇸

[@markarnold5593]

Great episode! Have walked their before, and often pass through when out motorcycling, always wave to "Jack's Pond" :-)

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Mark. I was quite taken by that pond!

[@eldred1809]

A publess walk Dave, whatever next? Back to the King John or the Museum at Farnham I shouldn't wonder. Now there's an idea for a walk! You always seem to sniff out the best weather Dave, but there again Dorset seems to get more than its fair share of fine weather. Keep up the good work.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Ah yes - the sun always shines on DCW!

[@nitram157]

I think Jack used to walk around in the opposite direction to you with his pony “Ghost” in the opening scene. In the village is a small business that manufacturer’s jigsaw puzzles, and they actually produce a jigsaw of Jack with his pony walking around the pond in 1983. I have one and it’s quite a difficult jigsaw to do. Excellent walk well worth the trip up there.

[@DaveFord]

Ah yes - well spotted! I did originally film the clip going clockwise but the sun was in the wrong direction! I used to know Julie Wilkins - proprietor of the jigsaw company - very well, when it was based in Amesbury.

[@AlexinGreatBritain]

Beautiful village, and right in Hovis advert country as well!

[@DaveFord]

It is a quite enchanting village to explore for sure.

[@JimNicholls]

Another great walk, Dave. It always amazes me how few people you come across on your walks. Have people given up on walking? It used to be very popular when I lived in Sussex before emigrating many years ago, but I guess these days people have too many other interests.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jim. I try not to disturb too many folk while out on a walk & often wait until they pass by - thereby respecting their privacy if I can ..... not always possible of course! Having said that, it does surprise me how few people I do see out - especially when I go "deeper" into the countryside.

[@MsCheesemonster13]

It’s extremely popular up in the north of England, where I now live (I’m originally from Sussex too). 😊 We are fortunate enough to live on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park, which is well used by walkers of all ages.

[@bobbybigboyyes]

Fab video as always Dave, thanks! According the Wikipedia my town of Shaftesbury is the same height as Ashmore. I remember seeing Jack Hargreaves walk around the pond decades ago. I watched his 2 different series of shows every week back then. I managed to get the complete series of 'Out Of Town' on DVD about 18 years ago. I don't think it's still available though!

[@DaveFord]

Yes, I loved watching jack when I was a young lad.

[@bobbybigboyyes]

@@DaveFord Me too! It was one of the tv highlights of the week.

[@madgardener5820]

I don't remember Old Country but I do remember Out of Town

[@DaveFord]

I think Out of Town started in the 60's on ITV & Old Country came later, on Channel 4. Both great series.

[@ralphfeay8857]

Thanks Dave for the walk what a really lovely village it is like going back in time

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Ralph. Yes, if it wasn't for the cars & dustbins you could easily think you were back centuries ago!