WALKS IN DORSET at MAIDEN CASTLE & MARTINSTOWN (WINTERBORNE ST MARTIN) [4K]

This is another video in my series “ Walks in Dorset” accompanied by my Whippet (Logan). In this episode, I visit the village of Martinstown (also known as Winterborne St Martin) which is located 4 miles to the South West of Dorchester.
My 4 mile circular walk starts & finishes in the village and indeed I park my car at the village hall. Starting at the Western end of the main street, I pass by the Brewers Arms pub on my way to check out an old Sheep Wash Pool (now no longer in use). My route then takes me to the village green & the church of St Martin before I head out into the countryside.
I follow a farm track past Clandon Hill (with it's impressive barrow on top) towards my main destination for the walk - Maiden Castle.
Maiden Castle is one of the largest Iron Age Hill Forts in the UK but it's history goes back to at least 4,000BC. I spend a fair bit of time exploring the fort and enjoying some stunning views all around including Dorchester & Poundbury to the North.
My homeward leg takes me initially Northwards down a pretty valley before I head Westwards back to Martinstown along some enchanting footpaths.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX IMPORTANT NOTE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I am sorry about the quality of the image stabilization on the video, which is not that great at times. I was using a Gopro 10 camera for the first time (they had only recently been available to buy) and all users of the camera were experiencing issues & problems with the stabilization when either standing still or moving slowly! A Firmware update has since been provided by Gopro and I am pleased to say that the issue has now been resolved. I hope that it does not spoil your enjoyment of the video.
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.w...
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.

[@christinegibbins6105]

Beautiful area Dave, thanks for taking me back down memory lane from the 1980s. Take care.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Christine. Some cracking views of the Dorset landscape from the top of the fort, for sure!

[@SkylarkFields]

Thanks for this superb video - Martinstown is just 'over the hill' from where we live. We pass through there on our way to Dorchester but although we've lived so close for 24 yrs, have never done that walk!! We should, I think! Lovely to see Logan loping along, and look forward to following you both on another Dorset walk in due course, hopefully!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. It is certainly a pretty village. More "Walks in Dorset" coming up over the next few months! Thanks for watching.

[@truebrit3578]

I know Dorset from my childhood. Now I live in Colombia and have brought my Colombian wife to the county. Now she has discovered your great videos. So we are coming back to Dorset in May. Except she has now discovered more of your videos and so we have too much for our vacation in Lyme in May. So now I’m pricing another vacation in September. Next she’ll probably start reading my Thomas Hardy collection, and then I really will be in trouble.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I hope that you enjoy the future videos in the series. Dorset is a lovely county to explore for sure.

[@martincannon1078]

Well, Dave I'm no Saint but I rather like a town being named after me. What an interesting video that was. Thanks as always. Logan looks completely dog beat at the end!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Martin. Yes, Logan was quite happy snoozing away at the end!

[@dawnyWestScotland]

That chap in the field was gorgeous! Another wonderful walk and what a lovely thatched cottage too.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. It is such a pretty village to walk through.

[@merietgenealogy]

Another great video walk. My great aunt Emma Lillie Hooper was born at Clandon Farm Martinstown in June 1889 as her family made their journey from Pulham Dorset to Liss Hampahire. Great to see the village, barrows and Maiden Castle which the family would have also seen and maybe explored.

[@DaveFord]

What a great connection for you to have with the village. A lovely part of the world to have been brought up in.

[@angelanewman5566]

Thanks Dave. That brought back a few memories of when we walked round Maiden Castle a few years ago. I had to thoroughly clean my shoes afterwards as the sheep had been very busy! Unfortunately, we came across a sheep that had been badly mauled by something and we had to contact English Heritage so that they could inform the farmer. Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year. Keep up the good work.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Angela. Sorry to learn about your unpleasant experience with the mauled sheep - not nice at all. Wishing you a peaceful festive period to you and yours.

[@keithjoseph5671]

Stunning beauty in the countryside

[@DaveFord]

It is an amazing place to explore for sure!

[@RAX1Music]

Great walk as usual, Dave. Another one to add to my list of areas near home I havent yet explored! Silly question but I love your neckerchief and cap collection - where do you get them from? Cheers!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Kev. All from Amazon - nothing special I am afraid! Thanks for watching. :)

[@jeanblemings5352]

Looks like the walk round the massive hill fort totally overwhelmed Logan! I visited once a long time ago and it's an impressive sight. You can also see it from train as you approach Weymouth.

[@DaveFord]

Yes Jean, I think Logan was quite happy snoozing in the sunshine on the top!

[@BoninBrighton]

I’ve found it thanks Jean for recommending this Channel

[@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker]

Thank you Dave for bringing back lovely memories of lying on our backs as kids on the top of Maiden Castle watching the skylarks dancing high in the sky above us. Also of course that wonderful scene from John Schlesinger's film Far from the Madding Crown where Frank Troy (Terence Stamp) charges on foot down the the sides of maiden castle brandishing his sword towards Have a great Christmas Dave.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Dave. I wasn't aware about the scene from "Far From the Madding Crowd". Probably just as well as I would have probably tried to re-enact it! Wishing a peaceful festive period to you and yours.

[@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker]

@@DaveFord that would have been fun. Yes it was from the first version of the film with the lovely Julie Christie. I think that original version was so much better than the later one.

[@trevorread9115]

Thanks Dave that ones on my list

[@DaveFord]

One to go on a sunny & clear day, Trevor - the views are breathtaking from the top of the fort.

[@etinarcadiaego3296]

Planning to visit the site next august ; what a glorious day! thank you for the views and the explanations, hi from France.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I hope that you have great weather when you visit. Thanks for watching.

[@etinarcadiaego3296]

@@DaveFord Update: We arrived in Dorchester at the beginning of August and after settling into the accommodation we spent the evening on the fort, picnicking and walking, until sunset, it was magnificent, with a magical atmosphere, without doubt our best memory of our visit to Dorset.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

That man made sheep wash must be quite unusual. I came across a natural one in Dartmoor (I think) some years ago. It was a natural pool in the river where sheep could be forced into. There are so many Winterbournes around the south. I can think of at least three within 10 miles of me in Ludgershall. November seems late for a fair. Fairs, to me are associated with warm summer days. I thought Poundbury was long since finished. That was surprising. Maiden Newton castle. Never been there, but what a wonderful place, plus the views. So much history in the area. Thanks for a super video Dave and Logan. Have to credit Logan as it wouldn’t be quite the same without him. Best wishes for Christmas to you and the family from Lionel and Mary.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lionel. I hope that you & Mary both have a peaceful festive period as well and a prosperous New Year.

[@SkylarkFields]

It's Maiden Castle, not Maiden Newton castle, hope you don't mind me saying. :)

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

@@SkylarkFields Thank you. I stand corrected.

[@suehann1]

My late father was born in Martinstown, in Church Cottage. I remember him telling me about the day it rained and rained! It is a lovely village. And I can see the family graves in the church yard. Thank you for sharing this.

[@DaveFord]

Glad you enjoyed the video Sue. Thanks for watching.