Marshwood Vale – Conegar Hill Climb loop from Thorncombe
Marshwood Vale – Conegar Hill Climb loop from Thorncombe
5
riders
Marshwood Vale – Conegar Hill Climb loop from Thorncombe
01:35
26.8km
370m
Road cycling
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: May 10, 2026
Tips
Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted
After 16.0 km for 128 m
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
4.77 km
St Mary’s Church
Highlight • Religious Site
Opening Times
The church is part of the Golden Cap Team of Churches and is generally open every day for visitors (typically from around 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
Sunday Best: Services are usually held at 11:00 AM, but check the local noticeboard in the porch—it's the village's "analog social media" and always has the most up-to-date timings.
School Days: The church has a very cool partnership with the adjacent primary school. Don't be surprised if you see kids using the building as a classroom or hall!
The "New" Old Church
The original medieval chapel was closer to Marshwood Castle but became a ruin by the 1600s. The current building was a 19th-century "do-over":
The Party of 1840: When they laid the foundation stone for the new tower in 1840, about 2,000 people turned up to watch. That’s a massive crowd for a tiny village—it must have been the Iron Age equivalent of a stadium concert!
The "Pecking Birds": Keep a sharp eye on the stone pillars inside. The capitals (the tops of the pillars) are carved with "stiff-leaf" foliage and tiny birds pecking at the leaves. It’s like a Victorian version of Where's Waldo.
A Bargain Rebuild: Most of the church was rebuilt in 1884 for just £900. While that sounds cheap now, back then it was a huge community effort led by the local Reverend.
Why it’s Worth a Peek
Aside from the bird-spotting, the church offers a quiet, contemplative atmosphere with great views over the Marshwood Vale. It’s constructed from local rubble walls with ashlar dressings, giving it a rugged, "honest" look that perfectly matches the surrounding Dorset hills.
Tip by
4.82 km
Bottle Inn
Highlight • Other
5.67 km
Marshwood Vale
Highlight • Viewpoint
12.5 km
Self-Service Farm Shop
Highlight • Rest Area
14.1 km
Conegar Hill Climb
Highlight (Segment) • Climb
The road itself does not cross the top of Conegar hill.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
16.0 km
The Church of St Candida and Holy Cross
Highlight • Religious Site
Tip by
26.8 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
25.7 km
559 m
368 m
135 m
Surfaces
21.1 km
5.53 km
193 m
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Elevation
Highest point (230 m)
Lowest point (20 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Thursday 9 July
31°C
16°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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