The best MTB trails around Broadwindsor

Gemini said If you find yourself in the rolling hills of West Dorset, the Church of St John the Baptist in Broadwindsor is a classic, "slow-paced" country church that packs a surprising amount of history into its quiet stone walls. It’s perched on a high spot right in the heart of the village, looking out over the square like it’s been keeping watch forever (which, to be fair, it mostly has). Here’s why it’s worth a wander: A Royal Fugitive’s Hiding Spot The village’s biggest claim to fame involves a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek. After losing the Battle of Worcester in 1651, King Charles II fled for his life and spent a night right here in Broadwindsor. While the King was hiding in a nearby inn (now private cottages), Parliamentarian soldiers actually arrived in the village to search it. Legend says he only escaped because a local woman went into labor in the same building, causing such a chaotic distraction that the soldiers moved on without finding him. He eventually escaped to France, but the church stands as a silent witness to that tense night. The "Witty" Rector In the 1630s, the church was led by Thomas Fuller, a man described as one of the first English writers to actually make a living from his pen. He was famous for his "pregnant wit" and once said, "Charity begins at home, but should not end there." * Even today, the village is very proud of him—you’ll often find his quotes inscribed in the local community pub, The White Lion, just down the road. What to Look For Inside The "Wonky" Architecture: The church has a mix of styles because it’s been rebuilt and patched up over nearly 900 years. You’ll see heavy, rounded Norman arches on one side of the nave and more pointed "Early English" ones on the other. It gives the interior a slightly mismatched, organic feel. The Ancient Font: There is a square font made of Purbeck Marble that dates back to the early 1200s. It’s been used to baptize village children for eight centuries. The Bells: The tower holds a ring of six bells. Some of them are "pre-Reformation," meaning they’ve been swinging in that tower since before Henry VIII broke away from Rome. The "Compromise" Clock: If you’re there during the day, you’ll hear the clock chime. There was a recent local debate about whether it should chime at night; in a very "British village" move, they compromised—it now stays quiet from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM so the neighbors can sleep!

The coast at Seatown is part of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site. The surrounding area is also designated part of the Dorset National Landscape. Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast of England, lies 1 mile (1.6 km) to the west. Seatown comprises a small number of houses, a holiday park, some holiday cottages and a pub. The small River Winniford or Wynreford runs into the sea here. Seatown beach is popular with fossil collectors, with rock of Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous. The beach is privately owned; access to it is free, but there is a charge for car parking. 'Furmity'—a mix of wheat, dried fruit and sugar, often with added spirits—was one of the products sold at a Whit Monday Fair which used to be held in Seatown. The current Anchor Inn and the neighbouring cottages are rebuildings of their earlier equivalents which had been destroyed in the Great Storm of 1824. In the little Hamlet is the seatown slice, a spar shop and a beachside sauna.

Ancient old trackway that unfortunately looks like it has been damaged by off-road vehicles and water erosion. Almost impossible to ride in many places. Shame.

Very tasty, especially very good chips!

Farmer has been doing a bit of landscaping to this section. Logs have been moved to the side and are behind an electric fence.

If it's been raining recently, probably best deferred to another time. The surface can be very slippery when damp.

Shute's Lane (this section) is widely regarded as the finest example of an ancient trail, eroded by use and rainfall over the years, with this particular one being 10 metres below the 'normal' ground level. It is stunning .... and look out for the spectacular graffiti too! Watch this video: https://youtu.be/EU1APfAw8Ss

Good section of off-road cycle route on the old disused railway line. Some puddles after rain