Castleman Trailway
26 km / 16 miles
This trailway is suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders alike. It follows the route of the old Dorchester to Southampton railway, built in 1847 by Charles Castleman. The twisting stretch of track became known as the ‘Castleman Corkscrew’. The railway was closed in the 1960s by Dr Beeching and the land sold. Public access has since been granted along the resurfaced path, which now takes visitors through some of Dorset’s most scenic countryside including heathland, mature pine forest and the River Stour valley. It can be linked with the Stour Valley Way at Wimbourne Minster.
Connected Paths:
| Linked Paths: | Avon Valley Path (Hampshire to Dorset); Ferndown, Stour and Forest Trail; Stour Valley Way (Dorset) |
Details:
| Waymark: | Green locomotive on yellow footprint on green diamond | |
| Attributes: | Easy; Former Railway; Cycle Route; Horse Ride (Multi User); Heath | |
| Start: | SU137050 - Ringwood, Hants  |
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| Finish: | SY993930 - Upton Country Park, Poole, Dorset |
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| Web Sites: | http://www.dorset-newforest.com/sporting_activities.html |
Maps:The map to the right is from the Ordnance Survey. You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a marker for more info. (interactive map help) |
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| Ordnance Survey Maps (path is named on OS maps): | |
| OS Landranger: | 195 |
| OS Explorer: | 118, 15, 22 |
| OS Explorer Active: | 118, 15, 22 |
Route Profile:
| 23.9 Km (14.9 miles) 198 m (650 ft) ascent 54 m (177 ft) maximum height |
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Publications, Badges and Certificates:
| Leaflet: | Castleman Trailway (Avon Heath Country Park - 1994) |