Tess of The Vale

20/09/2026

So there are Roman tunnels leading to Maumbury Rings?!?….

Anyone else know anything more about this?!

Found in a book dated 1938!

20/09/2026

Where am I and what’s it famous for?!…

Could be many tales here!

19/09/2026

Planet Purbeck’s Discovery Fest is taking over Swanage seafront today, celebrating the community, coast and countryside of Purbeck.

There’ll be live music, activities, more than 20 exhibitors — and I’ll be popping up as one of the guest speakers, talking about the Dorset landscape and some of the stories hidden within it. 😬

10am–3pm | Swanage Seafront | Free

If you’re in Swanage today, come and say hello! 👋

18/09/2026

Big thank you to Tim Beer for the doorstep drop-off. Way better than any Amazon parcel (or bunch of flowers! 💐)

18/09/2026

Winterborne Stickland. Begin in the narrow valley of the little River Winterborne, where Winterborne Stickland reveals its treasures—an ancient cross, its companion tree, a timeless church, pub, and war memorial. Climb the hillside into thick woodland and wander the winding tracks of Charity Wood and Milton Wood, skimming the earthworks of a medieval deer park. Continue to Milton Abbas, tracing the old carriage drives once taken by lords and ladies, with sweeping views south towards the distant Purbeck Hills. Return skirting a secluded woodland lodge, before descending into Winterborne Clenston where its historic manor house and remarkable little church, crowned with a rare and delicate spire, stand.

18/09/2026

Winterborne Stickland. Exploring woods, earthworks, ruins, and relics in the heart of Dorset.

Begin in the narrow valley of the little River Winterborne, where Winterborne Stickland reveals its treasures—an ancient cross, its companion tree, a timeless church, pub, and war memorial. Climb the hillside into thick woodland and wander the winding tracks of Charity Wood and Milton Wood, skimmi...

14/09/2026

New Walk: Whitchurch Canonicorum.

From the capital of the vast lowlands of the Marshwood Vale, venture deep into the wild landscape of West Dorset. Pass through Abbotts Wootton, a tiny hamlet once centred on an impressive manor house owned by Abbotsbury Abbey, its ruins now a window.

Climb into the woodlands that formed the heart of Cricklade Park, the great deer park governed from Marshwood Castle, both now shrunk back into the hillsides.

Return along the old holloways, tracks and pilgrim paths once used by travellers making their way to Whitchurch Canonicorum to honour St Wite, the Patron Saint of Dorset, whose medieval shrine is uniquely preserved within St Candida’s Church.

See Whitchurch Canonicorum Walk for more…

14/09/2026

New Walk: Whitchurch Canonicorum. Following the footsteps of Pilgrims.

https://tessofthevale.com/2026/09/14/whitchurch-canonicorum/

From the capital of the vast lowlands of the Marshwood Vale, venture deep into the wild landscape of West Dorset. Pass through Abbotts Wootton, a tiny hamlet once centred on an impressive manor house owned by Abbotsbury Abbey, its ruins now a window. Climb into the woodlands that formed the heart of...