Easy hikes and walks around Gussage St. Michael

If you enjoy a bit of architectural time-travel with a spooky twist, Knowlton Church & EarthworksClick to open side panel for more information is one of the most atmospheric spots in Dorset. It is essentially a "history sandwich" where a 12th-century Christian church was built directly inside a much older Neolithic henge. The Ultimate Mash-up: It is a rare example of "reusing" a sacred site. The Normans built their church right in the middle of a pagan ceremonial circle, creating a visual timeline that spans thousands of years. Ghostly Vibes: Because of its lonely location and ruined state, it is a legendary hotspot for local ghost stories. Whether you believe in the "Face in the Window" or not, the silence of the surrounding fields makes it feel incredibly mysterious. The Henge High-Ground: You can still walk along the massive circular earthwork banks. From the top, you get a great view of the ruined flint walls of the church standing defiantly in the center of the ring. Picnic with the Past: Unlike many tourist spots, it is completely open and free to wander. It’s a perfect place to spread a blanket, grab a sandwich, and wonder what the original builders were thinking 4,000 years ago.

Brilliant dog walk alongside the stream perfect for a cool dip in the summer

Stunning avenue of trees perfect for a photo or two x

I would highly recommend popping in the village store it’s excellent

A place for a rest if you need it

There is evidence that a flour mill was present here since Doomsday times, the flour mill was replaced by a paper mill in 1720. This continued to work until around 2002 when it was converted into accommodation. The mill is well situated with a mill race taken from the River Allen.

Knowlton Circles/earthworks The henge enclosing Knowlton Church is only one of three henges (known as Knowlton Circles) and associated earthworks. However, Church Henge is the best preserved, and is maintained by English Heritage. Nearby is Great Barrow, the largest round barrow in Dorset. Aerial photographs reveal a large number of ploughed-out barrows in the immediate vicinity.

The Paranormal occurrences of Knowlton Chruch Today, despite the picturesque surroundings, a certain aura of melancholy hangs heavy over the site and the spirits of some who have passed this way in the last 4,000 years are still said to linger here. A phantom horse and rider are said to gallop across the site in the dead of night. They then proceed to pass straight through the church as though it wasn’t there. Elsewhere, a ghostly face has been witnessed peering from the top window of the tower. Then there is the shade of a weeping woman, whom some accounts describe as a nun, that has been seen kneeling outside the church, although what sin or transgression she is trying to purge herself of is not known. Paranormal groups investigating the site have found themselves enveloped in swirling white mists and have heard ethereal voices chattering around them, although no source of for voices can ever be traced. A lady and her two children who were visiting the site during daylight hours were startled by a tall figure dressed in black that suddenly appeared from nowhere. It proceeded to walk right across their path and then promptly vanished. Others have reported sightings of the same figure in the dead of night and have commented on a truly menacing aura that seems to emanate from it.