This circular Dorset walk from Heritage House (Publishers) Ltd begins in the pretty village of Sutton Poyntz, just 4 miles from Shepherd Oak, our holiday cottage in Upwey, and winds across the Dorset Downs to Osmington Mills.
 

Overview

The coast path at Osmington Mills towards Weymouth by Jim Champion

This five mile circular Dorset walk is moderate and easy to navigate. It usually takes about two and a half hours to complete.
 
Starting on flat fields, the walk then joins the coastal path with some steepish ups and downs affording fabulous views of the coast and Weymouth and giving you a great excuse to reward yourself with a pint or a pub lunch at The Springhead in Sutton Poyntz or The Smugglers Inn at Osmington Mills. Then there’s always Craig’s Dairy Farm Shop for home-made ice cream!

The route

The pretty village of Sutton Poyntz

Start: Roadside in Sutton Poyntz (free) Sat Nav: DT3 6RS

Find a parking space on the road leading from the main Weymouth/Preston road into the village of Sutton Poyntz (Sutton Road). Take the right fork opposite the telephone box (signed Sutton Poyntz and Springhead) and walk along this road up the old village street past the millhouse and mill on the left (possible alternative parking along this road).

Go past the duck pond and Springhead public house and turn right before the gate into the Wessex Water Pumping station.

The White Horse of Osmington

Follow up the lane to a gate and go through it and the next then straight on, keeping the hedge on your right hand side. In the corner of the field cross the stile and walk across four wide grassy fields, crossing the stream and heading for a gate directly ahead. Look at the hill on the left for good views of the Osmington White Horse.

Go through the gate and turn right following the lane into Osmington village. At the junction signed Osmington Mills, turn left and follow the road through the village bearing right to the junction with the main road.

Smugglers Inn, Osmington Mills by Malcolm Balmer

Turn left along the pavement for about 100 yards then where the pavement runs out, cross the road with care just to the left of Craig’s Dairies then about 50 yards further on the right hand side of the road, there is a path through the trees to a stile into the fields. Follow uphill to the left hand corner and go through the kissing gate into a large field. Bear slightly left and head towards another stile then walk downhill keeping the hedge line on your left. At the small bridge go left and out onto the road leading down to Osmington Mills and the Smugglers Inn or, if not going there, turn right here and go uphill to gain the coastal path. (If you go down to Osmington Mills, you will have to come back to this point for the return walk to Sutton Poyntz).

Stunning views towards Weymouth

Follow the signs along the coastal path sometimes descending steeply and passing the PGL Holiday Camp. After about a mile, Weymouth comes into view with its splendid Georgian seafront.

After a pedestrian gate shrouded with shrubs, you emerge into open land and head uphill to a gate into another open field. In the middle of this field, there is a signpost which points downhill to the right and is marked Sutton Poyntz. Follow downhill and cross a stile into a small path leading past stables.

St Andrew’s Church, Preston

Follow the small path and out onto a lane. Ignore the stile leading through the caravan park and keep on the lane. This takes you towards St Andrew’s Church at Preston and you can cut through the churchyard. A cool resting or reflection place might be necessary for a few minutes! Walk out to the main road and go straight across it with care to follow the road down into Sutton Poyntz back to your car.
 
This walk is one of seven walks included in Heritage House (Publishers) Ltd Walker’s Map of Lulworth & West Purbeck. Price £1.99.

Need a place to stay?

Wavecrest, sleeps six, is eight miles from Sutton Poyntz village

For the opportunity to enjoy this circular Dorset walk, and other lovely walks in the area, why not book a break at one of our Dorset holiday cottages and spend some time taking in the glorious energy Dorset has to offer at any time of the year.