Attractions and Places To See around Sixpenny Handley And Pentridge - Top 20

The region is rich in natural beauty. You can visit Win Green Summit, the highest point in Cranborne Chase, offering panoramic views over Blackmore Vale and Salisbury Plain. Another notable viewpoint is the Zig Zag Hill Climb, which provides rewarding views from the top of Wingreen Hill. Pentridge Hill is also a prominent natural feature, and Garston Woods offers opportunities to enjoy nature.

Yes, the area is rich in history. You can explore Bokerley Dyke, a significant defensive ditch with a multi-period history, including Roman and Saxon connections. The summit of Win Green Summit is crowned by a Bronze Age bowl barrow. Additionally, you can find Celtic Fields on Pentridge Down, part of a late prehistoric or Romano-British field system.

There are various walking and hiking trails. For easy walks, you can explore routes like the "Bokerley Ditch – Bokerley Dyke loop from Martin Down National Nature Reserve" or the "View from Pentridge Hill – Pentridge Hill Summit Marker loop from Pentridge." You can find more easy hiking options on the Easy hikes around Sixpenny Handley And Pentridge guide page.

Absolutely. The North Dorset Trailway is a largely traffic-free, flat path between Sturminster and Blandford Forum, perfect for families and uncertain cyclists. Many of the natural sites, like Win Green Summit, are also considered family-friendly for walks and enjoying the outdoors.

Yes, the area offers options for both mountain biking and road cycling. For mountain biking, consider routes like the "Win Green and Cranborne Droves Way Loop." Road cyclists can explore routes such as the "Wimborne St Giles Pond – Furzehill Lane loop from Martin." More details can be found on the MTB Trails around Sixpenny Handley And Pentridge and Road Cycling Routes around Sixpenny Handley And Pentridge guide pages.

The Cranborne Chase area, including Sixpenny Handley And Pentridge, is beautiful year-round. Spring and summer offer lush landscapes and pleasant weather for outdoor activities. Autumn brings vibrant colors to the woodlands, while clear winter days can provide crisp views from elevated points like Win Green Summit.

Pentridge village is believed to be the real location of "Trantridge Village" in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles, and Thomas Hardy himself reputedly lived at Pentridge House. Sixpenny Handley has a connection to the infamous 18th-century smuggler Isaac Gulliver. The villages also host various community events and festivals, reflecting their thriving local culture.

For easier walks, consider the North Dorset Trailway, which is largely flat and traffic-free. Other easy options include loops around Pentridge Hill or the Bokerley Ditch area. You can explore more options on the Easy hikes around Sixpenny Handley And Pentridge guide page.

Beyond the main highlights, you might enjoy discovering the numerous listed buildings and charming farmhouses that contribute to the historical character of the parishes. The Horton Tower, also known as Sturt’s Folly, is an intriguing seven-story red brick structure with a unique history. The historic Trafalgar Way also passes through the area.

Visitors frequently praise the breathtaking panoramic views from spots like Win Green Summit and the rewarding vistas after the challenging Zig Zag Hill Climb. The largely traffic-free and scenic nature of the North Dorset Trailway is also highly appreciated, especially by families and cyclists.

Yes, both villages have historic churches. The Church of St Mary in Sixpenny Handley is a Grade II* listed building, and the Church of St Rumbold in Pentridge is also listed, with its churchyard featuring the Grade II listed Group of 4 Goddard Monuments. You can also find other historic structures like Chapel Farmhouse, an early 17th-century building.

Sixpenny Handley And Pentridge are nestled within Cranborne Chase, an ancient royal hunting ground that is now an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This designation highlights its rolling chalk downlands, woodlands, and rich archaeological heritage. The area's attractions, from Win Green Summit to Bokerley Dyke, are integral parts of this protected landscape.