Dorset Walks

2009 - 2010 Programme of walks
around South Dorset
with Bob Ford




Each walk (apart from the free Open University workshops)
costs £4.00 and lasts approx. 90 minutes covering 1 - 2 miles.

Just turn up at any of the walks you want to - no booking required.

click on the map references to see a map showing each starting point

reports archive ...

5 Wednesdays in September:
2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Sunday September 20th 1.00 - 5.00 pm
Open University Seashore Workshop
Underbarn, Portland Harbour
  see trip report
A FREE 4-hour workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site. Looking at marine life in rock-pools and in the sea-weed at low tide level. Wear wellies or old trainers and shorts. Meet in Sandsfoot Castle gardens near the cafe,
map reference SY675774 (see map)

4 Wednesdays in October:
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Saturday October 10th:
10.00 am - 2.00 pm
Open University Migrant Birds Workshop

Portland Bill  see trip report
A FREE 4-hour workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site. Bring a packed lunch and meet in the Bill car park near the lighthouse at
map reference SY677685 (see map)

4 Wednesdays in November:
4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Saturday November 21st:
10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Open University Wildfowl Workshop
  see trip report
Arne RSPB Reserve, Poole Harbour
A FREE 6-hour workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site. Bring a packed lunch and meet at the reserve car park, Arne
map reference SY972878 (see map)

5 Wednesdays in December:
2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Saturday December 12th
10.00 - 12.00
Open University Seabirds Workshop
Rodwell Trail, Portland Harbour
  see trip report
A FREE 2-hour workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site. Meet in Sandsfoot Castle gardens near the cafe,
map reference SY675774 (see map)

4 Wednesdays in January:
6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Saturday January 30th
14.00 - 16.00
Open University Woodland Birds Workshop
Rhinefield Arboretum, New Forest
  see trip report
A FREE 2-hour workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site. Meet at Blackwater car park, Brockenhurst,
map reference SU268047 (see map)

4 Wednesdays in February:
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Saturday February 27th
15.00 - 17.00
Open University Gull Identification Workshop
Radipole RSPB Reserve, Weymouth
  see trip report
A FREE 2-hour workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site. Meet at the reserve car park, near the visitor centre,
map reference SY675796 (see map)
5 Wednesdays in March:
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Saturday March 13th
10.00 - 16.00
Open University Biodiversity Workshop
106 St Thomas Street
A FREE drop-in workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site. Bring along any photos, specimens or other observations that you need identifying and I'll help you connect to the hundreds of experts online via the iSpot website. 106 is the new computer centre run by Weymouth College at the King's Statue end of St Mary's and St Thomas Street, Weymouth town centre.
map reference SY919926 (see map)

Saturday March 27th
10.00 - 12.00
Open University Heathland Birds Workshop
Wareham Forest
  see trip report
A FREE 2-hour workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site. Meet at the Sherford Bridge layby on the east side of the B3075, about 2 miles north of Sandford,
map reference SY919926 (see map)

2 Wednesdays in April:
14th, 21st, 28th (no walk on 7th or 28th)
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Saturday May 1st
10.00 - 18.00
Open University Reptiles Workshop  see trip report
A FREE whole day workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site, attempting to see all of Dorset's 8 species of reptiles. Bring a packed lunch and meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

3 Wednesdays in May:
12th, 19th, 26th (no walk on 5th)
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

4 Wednesdays in June:
9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th (no walk on 2nd)
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Thursday June 17th 9.00 pm
Tadnoll Heath, Winfrith  
Meet at the reserve entrance on Redbridge Road between East Knighton and Crossways,
map reference SY791877 (see map)

5 Wednesdays in July:
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)

Saturday July 31st
10.00 - 16.00
Open University Biodiversity Workshop
106 St Mary Street
A FREE drop-in workshop sponsored by the Open University to publicise their iSpot web site. Bring along any photos, specimens or other observations that you need identifying and I'll help you connect to the hundreds of experts online via the iSpot website. 106 is the new computer centre run by Weymouth College at the King's Statue end of St Mary's and St Thomas Street, Weymouth town centre.
map reference SY919926 (see map)

4 Wednesdays in August:
4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
10.00 am - 11.30 am
Portland Cliffs and Quarries
  see trip reports
Meet outside the main entrance, The Heights Hotel, Portland,
map reference SY688729 (see map)



For more information or telephone 01305 750118 or 07980 967473.

Details on this site are subject to change - check the latest update before you leave!

click here to see last year's walks ...