14/09/26 - Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove

Ever get the feeling you've been (nearly) cheated?

A trip to Dorset would be lacking if it missed this classic coastal walk. Yet things conspired to defeat us. Meteorological conditions could not be helped. The British appetite for ripping off people could.

We drive past several fine looking parking spaces in West Lulworth to try the official car park at Lulwoth Cove. A whole 5 minute walk away. You've never seen a Seat do a 180 quicker than when its driver spots that 3 hours parking is £17.

Jesus H Christ. On a bike. Going downhill. Without brakes.

After the walk, we pop down to the cove for coffees. A 20 minute boat trip is £20 for adults and £15 for children. £70 for a family of four to be entertained for a whole third of an hour.

Padstow's £25 fish and chips may have lost its crown as "Britain's Worst Tourist Trap"

If you are lucky, or it's a Monday on a bleak day, then you should find street parking to commence the walk. We decided to do the high headland first, saving the highlights for the return. They is a good reason for this.

On Hambury Tout things, can only get better

And they do - as we get to the many lung-bursting ups and downs of the coast path, the gloom lifts. Camera phones out for the magnificent seascapes around every corner. Durdle Door Arch leads to Man O' War Cove and then Lulworth Cove.

Did I tell you how much the boat rides were?

Man O'War

Final drop to Lulwoth Cove. Ironically through the car park.

It's a walk that all Rambers should do. Just time it right to start in the right place. In the right weather.

Walk Details

Distance - 7.5 miles

Geocaches - 5

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Walks, Walk 102

12/09/26 - Sutton Poyntz to Osmington

Unique White Horse

You've got until the end of the blog to guess what makes this memorial to George III, riding his horse Adonis, unique amongst the 16 figures carved into UK hills.

Hoping it's George's foot and not how Adonis was named

A Haven caravan holiday. There's something I never thought I would type. Arrive, painless check in, vague directions to find one tin-can in a field of 500 other tin-cans and spark up the GPS to check the lie of the land.

Built on the site of a Roman Temple. The old order changeth, yielding place to new. Once, the aristocracy were lounging in togas beside mosaic-festooned spa facilities, while the slaves got on with the actual work. Superseded by the next generation of slaves feeding endless two-pence pieces into cascade machines in the hope of winning a penny chew.

Today's walk is all about the White Horse. We climb the western side of the hill from pretty Sutton Poyntz - all thatched cottages and a gentle stream filling a duck pond next to a sturdy looking pub. Walk the ridge on what is marked on my aging OS Map as The South West Coast Path and then drop down to Osmington, without discovering what joys may be contained within. Some fine views of Portland Bill, which will tomorrow's walk.

On top of a White Horse

A simple walk, providing simple pleasures.

And the answer to the quiz? The only White Horse with a rider.

Walk Details

Distance - 5.5 miles

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Walks, Walk 113

Geocaches - 6

23/05/26 - Rottingdean and into Brighton

For Two More Good Beer Guide Ticks

We are staying at the far eastern extremities of Brighton. Just where the city runs out and its all private schools (Roedean), rolling hills and pretty villages that end in "dean".

With the unexpected heatwave, we are up and out early to take the dogs to visit Ovingdean and Rottingdean, returning to base via Undercliffe.

Too early for pubs but not breakfast, I'll have to add the afternoon pub ticking onto the blog to make it worth-(my)-while.

Ovingdean Church - Doors Closed

Rottingdean Windmill

Rottingdean - a Story Telling Area

A rare image of Undercliff, without Pain in the Arse Cyclists

The dogs aren't really keen on built up areas, so we park them at home to head out to Brighton to see if I can add to Good Beer Guide Ticks I gained on a grim winter's afternoon in 2025.

More walking, but at least Mrs M can entertain herself by keeping a running count of how many people she spots with purple hair.

The Brighton Bierhaus is the first port of call. Classic pub architecture, with the purpose built alehouse built in the 1830s and formerly known as the Thurlow Arms. It's been resurrected by the Brighton Bier Brewery and made "Craft".

Mrs M recording purples in her app

With the temperature nudging the 30s, we take advantage of their German/Belgian offerings - the finest in the City. Hacker-Pschorr in a ceremonial chalice, after the kind barman pointed out the Rothaus was alcohol free.

We haven't got much time but on firing up Google Maps to find our next quarry, we notice the number one Brighton Tourist attraction. Far too many people use Quadrophenia Alley as a cut through to complete a comprehensively authentic recreation, so I console myself with a quick chant of "We are the Mods!"

Knee Trembler

And Google Maps is required to find The Hole in the Wall. Tucked away off the seafront down Queensbury Mews, it claims to be Brighton's smallest pub. That don't impress us much. It's at least three times the size of Manchester's Circus Tavern.

Two roomer

It is a quality drinking den, with a chalk board of beers and ciders to work through if you have time and a fine selection of snacks. Two flavours of Nik-Naks.

Germans all round - Flensburger and Ayinger. Plus Taytos.

Walk Details

Distance - 9 Miles in total, 5 on the plotted walk

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Walks, Walk 240

22/05/26 - Lewes, for Mount Caburn

Sussex Best

There was never going to be much debate on where to start our latest walking break.

Lewes - a town full of history, birthplace of revolutionaries, satirical bonfires and the home of the unique taste of Sussex.

A Beaut

This is the Harvey's Brewery - a classic Victorian brewery, which can trace its roots back to 1790. Harvey's Sussex Best happily sits in my top 5 beers, although much more work needs to be completed to calculate the final rankings.

A pint will be a reward for completing an out of town walk at the start of the 2026 mini heatwave. This country is nuts. Last week, I was forced - under the threat of violence - to turn the heating back on in the Midlands.

A matter of moments, and we leave the busy town behind to complete a classic "downs" walk - up and across the golf course, before reaching lush agricultural landscape, with plenty of chalkland clefts and ups and downs. The photos don't do justice to the remoteness or the beauty. Mount Caburn is the target, a grassy dome of a hill that hosted an iron age hillfort. 

The current Mrs M, Child #2 and borrowed doggies on the way to Mount Caburn

More chalk uplands

Easy peasy and back into town to determine which of the 8 Good Beer Guide Ticks should get the Mappiman Dollar. The John Harvey Tavern ticks all the boxes;

• Tap room for the brewery
• Opposite the brewery shop
• T-shirts too cyan to suit my complexion
• But I was tempted by an out of season Christmas Ale
• Sussex Best and all of its mates on cask
• Although the Best was gravity fed
• Dog Friendly
• Food available
• An offer on Friday fish and chips

We chose well

If only we had come on the bus - I could have told you about the other 7 available venues.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - AA Walks Through History Walk 29

25/02/26 - On the Trail of...... Dylan Thomas

Dry Wednesday

Into Laugharne - a quiet estuary town with a famous son. The famous son who pronounced the place "the strangest town in Wales".

Dylan Thomas drinking in Brown's with Caitlin. They now share a grave.

I've been following Dylan Thomas around the globe already. I have drunk pints (yes, they served pints during Covid) in the French House/York Minster in Soho. This is where he lost the manuscript to Under Milk Wood.

I've holidayed in Newquay - where there is a sign for the fictional Llareggub near the Black Lion.

I've drunk in the White Horse Tavern, Greenwich, New York. Maybe not the 18 straight whiskies that led to his untimely death at just 39.

Can you see a theme emerging? It's a wonder he had time to write any poems with the amount of boozing he was reported to enjoy.

Laugharne is the location of his final home/writing place and indeed resting place. An Adventure Lab Cache takes me to all of the key locations, adding on his grave to the AA Walk originally plotted.

It's a mixed figure of 8 walk over Sir John's Hill to the south Delacorse to the North. The stretches along the River Taf estuary are stunning. The inland sections a muddy bog of overgrown brambles.

The lad himself, looking at the Norman Castle Ruins

The creator of the DT Birthday Walk lives at Salt House Farm. Prepare for a chat if you meet him

A simple memorial

The Boat House - his final home

His writing shed - formerly a garage for Laugharne's 1st motor car

Walk over - now for refreshments. The Internet is little help - Whatpub, Google and very annoyingly, establishment's own websites all have different and often incorrect opening hours.  I'm looking at you - the New Three Mariners.... Good Beer Guide 2026 accredited you may be but midday opening in the week, my hairy aris. 

And the ironic thing is for a town that celebrates a dipsomaniac? Not one of the four pubs is open on a Wednesday lunchtime. 

Laugharne - a dry in the sunshine hours town.

Mrs M - a paragon of sensibility - says that they should at least take it in turns to open on alternate days.

A special place in hell for when their own website is incorrect

Didn't even get chance to undo my wasitcoat

Closed

Closed

Closed - with the man's face on the sign

Even the cafe's were closed. The only sign of life? The Chipper.

My god, you get a lot for £13.

Walk Details

Distance - 6 Miles

Geocaches - 5

Walk Inspiration - AA Walks Through History, Walk 99

29/12/25 - Godrevy Point, Cornwall

Seal of Approval

Down in Hayle, Cornwall for a week with our new charge, Coops. An affectionate Labradoodle that likes swimming and is well behaved in pubs and cafes. We are going to get on famously.

Spot the Dog

Welcome to a week of coastal views, where the photos will not do justice to reality. This first walk of the week is an absolute belter. An Adventure Lab Cache takes us sequentially to some key sites of the coast around Godrevy Point. This includes a beach, where Coops recall and swimming abilities are tested and past with flying colours and a island hosted lighthouse. Built in 1859 after the SS Nile ran aground on the rocks, with the loss of 40 lives.

To the lighthouse

The other key feature here is the seal colony at Mutton Cove. With the tide retreating, we are treated them frolicking on the beach. If you have never seen a seal try and chase a seagull on land, you have not lived.

Down on Mutton Cove

This is as good as Cornish coastal walking can get. Once the height is gained onto the Knavocks it is not lost as we make our way to Hell's Mouth. Here, you will find a wonderful year round open cafe.

Inaccessible (from land) Hell's Mouth.

Last table in the cafe grabbed and a decision to be made. The walk route has a little more coast around Hudderdown before taking the direct route back via the lane. 

We agree it is better to simply retrace our steps, maintaining the sea views at all times. Occasional in-land deviations are taken, just for variety.

Walk Details

Distance - 6 Miles

Geocaches - 8

Walk Inspiration - AA Walks

11/04/25 - On the Wadebridge Camel Trail for the Swan Inn

Trading The Coast for Shaded Woodland Paths

Having not had enough of entire families on two wheels, we decide to tackle the Camel Path away from Padstow. Surely Bodmin won't be as popular as Padstow and there will be less traffic?

All quiet on the Eastern Camel Trail Front

A very pleasant, simple walk. Clear enough on the Camel Trail to let the dogs off the lead, and in Wolf's case, play in the Camel. At Polbrock Bridge, cross over and head back through Bishops Woods. A change from the week's coastal walking. Would you believe that this early in April, we need the woodland shade?

River Camel, with Bishops Wood Opposite

Into the Shade

Then up to Burlawn and down along lanes/agricultural tracks back to civilisation. An Adventure Lab Cache showing us the history of the town - train station, museum, town hall and finishing on the 15th Century and 17 arched bridge.

The Old Bridge

Mrs M wants to maximise her lunch experience, so takes advantage of local knowledge by texting friends who have lived here. They say the Swan Hotel. 

Good food at reasonable prices and a decent pint of Proper Job.

Proper Job at the Swan

Walk Details

Distance - 6.5 Miles

Geocaches - 9

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Walks, Walk 11

19/02/25 - Dalton-In-Furness Abbey

Agri-Cultural

An attempt to beat the rain. Ruby the Border Terrier is rudely awakened at the unholy hour of 8:15am to be whisked off to Goose Green, Dalton-in-Furness.

Today's walking a mixture of farmland and historical culture.

The Cistercian Way runs 24 miles from Barrow to Grange under sands. We complete a short leg of it to the Abbey.

Cistercian Way - a nice footpath out of town

Ruby and Mrs M keen to soak up some culture

Furness Abbey

Bow Bridge

Furness Abbey, located near Dalton-in-Furness in Cumbria, was founded in 1123 by Stephen, Count of Boulogne, who later became King Stephen of England. Originally established as a Savigniac monastery, it joined the Cistercian order in 1147 and grew to become one of the wealthiest and most influential monasteries in England. However, its prosperity came to an end in 1537 when it was dissolved by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

That's the culture done. It's farmland through a grey looking Newton. Mercifully mud free but the weather turns increasingly dreich until the heavens open as we reach the town outskirts. Not bad enough that Mrs M wont leave me and Ruby out in the rain, whilst she takes her time deliberating which two scones offer the best value for money at the local delicatessen.

Signage home - I've also been to Shatton in the Peak District

Pub wise - we are far too early for the earthy looking Clarence Beerhouse.

A shame, I like a Beer House

I'm a big Hairy Bikers fan, so felt it apt to visit Dave's Home Town of Barrow for the first time. Alas, the weather was too grim for a mooch but we did manage to get to the sole Good Beer Guide Pub. For reference, Barrow has a population of 67,400 people. Ulverston, population 12,000 has 7 Good Beer Guide entries. 

Without investigation, I will not know if this makes sense.

Paying 95p for parking using only new apps could fill a blog on its own. But we manage it and make our way into the Duke of Edinburgh. I swear the man I am about to negotiate dog entry with is the same fella that served me on Sunday in the Mill. As soon as I hear his accent I find out how hard working Northerners are. Even when they come from Portugal.

The pub? Owned by the same Lancaster Brewery as the Mill. Lancaster Red doubles it entries on my Untappd. 

Hotel Fancy - Good Enough for DH Lawrence in 1914

Lancashire, La, La La

When steak got too expensive, I started ordering gammon. I don't know where to go now that gammon and egg is £21. The singular was no a typo. One egg.

Tune in for my next blog, where we group test crisps.

Walk Details

Distance - 6 Miles

Walk Inspiration - AA Walks Through History, Walk 49

Geocaches - 2 and 7 Adventure Lab Caches

10/09/24 - The Wardour Castles, Wiltshire

Two for the Price of One

Can't think of a previous walk that has incorporated two castles. Old Wardour and New Wardour, the former managed by English Heritage, the latter a private home/conference centre. Public footpaths running right up to the doors of both. 

Old

New

Old Wardour Castle, near Tisbury in Wiltshire, England, was built in the late 14th century by John, 5th Lord Lovell. Designed as a luxurious residence with a unique hexagonal shape, it combined the comfort of a home with elements of defense. The castle passed to the Arundell family, a prominent Catholic family, in 1547. During the English Civil War in 1643, Lady Blanche Arundell defended the castle against a siege by Parliamentary forces, but it was heavily damaged and became uninhabitable.

Following this, the Arundell family built New Wardour Castle in the 1770s. Designed in the Palladian style by James Paine, it became the family’s new home and included a private Catholic chapel. After World War II, the property was sold and eventually converted into private apartments. Today, Old Wardour Castle is a romantic ruin managed by English Heritage, while New Wardour Castle remains a private residence.

The walk is short but perfectly formed. A circle of the lake and out on the Wessex Ridgeway to take in farmland and woodland. There is a chance to visit the Forester at Donhead St Andrew. A pub that itself is rumoured to be built from the stone of the old castle. Too early for us today but we did have Sunday lunch. Good beer guide recommended. Steak £29.99, to provide financial perspective. We give way to the Salcome delivery van to provide beery perspective.

Walk Details

Distance - 3.5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Family Walks, #135

Geocaches - 0

09/09/24 - Ashmore, the highest village in Dorset

Finding the Wessex Ridgeway... and little else

The walk looked ok on the map.... and if its only a walk you are after then it was fine.  A woodland trail from Washers Pit through Ashmore Woods. Stubhampton Bottom leading to the Wessex Ridgeway.

The Wessex Ridgeway is a long-distance walking trail in southern England, part of the greater Ridgeway National Trail network. Stretching approximately 137 miles (220 km), the trail starts in Marlborough, Wiltshire, and ends in Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast. The Wessex Ridgeway follows ancient routes and tracks through picturesque landscapes, including rolling chalk downs, wooded valleys, and farmland, offering views of historic sites, ancient monuments, and charming villages.

Can't see the woods for the trees

Halfpenny Lane brings us the potential of 6 Geocaches and Ashmore. Mrs M on google looking for a tea room and teasing with just one hospitality venue of interest. We'll never know if the Gritchie Brewery has a tap room. The still maintained website simply states "Closed..... For Now".

A shame, as Dorset's Highest Village needed to be celebrated with something more than a half filled duck pond.

Walk Details

Distance - 6 Miles

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Family Walks, #103

Geocaches - 5 Found

 

07/07/24 - Gwesty Ty Newydd, Aberdaron

On the North Wales Pilgrim's Trail

Right at the tip of the Llyn Peninsula lies the village of Aberdaron.

Aberdaron has a long history, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Iron Age. It was an important religious site in the medieval period, serving as the last stop for pilgrims heading to Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli), known as the "Island of 20,000 Saints."

Our walk is a classic coastal circular, following signs labelled the North Wales Pilgrim's Trail.

Looking back over Aberdaron

Today's route finding

Inland footpaths disappear at Porth Y Pistyll, but when the sun is shining, an extra mile won't hurt. Eventually, we are able to loop back on ourselves at the National Trust Pen Y Cil. All this, on the day where I used membership to get free parking. £5 towards the joining fee and I've not even set foot in a stately home.

Up high with the animals for the inbound return.

Meet the Boys

We find the Holy Well of Ffynnon Saint just before re-entering the village. You know the score - a Pilgrimage place with special healing properties within the water. Even as I was taking the photo, Mrs M was saying "that will be no use for your blog". And she was right. A square of water under a metal lid.

So into the pretty village, all eyes set for post walk refreshment.Tripadvisor reviews for Sunday lunch did not pass the Mrs M test. But reviews for the chippy were far more promising. If you want to know which meal is haddock and which is cod, look for the H and C on the polystyrene tub.

And there's more.... the Gwesty Ty Newydd pub is one of only a small handful in this part of the world in the Good Beer Guide. I expected a soulless hotel bar and was nearly right. Just keep moving on through for a balcony with the best pub view in Britain.

Today's Good Beer Guide Tick

Half of the furthest right for me

View from a Pub Balcony

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 2 available, 0 found

Walk Inspiration - AA Pocket Book of Walks