Walk following the Wessex Ridgeway

West Mendip Walkers moderate 8.75 mile circular walk from Lob Gate Carpark, Bridport DT6 on B3164. The route starts with a walk uphill to Pilsdon Pen, reputed to be the highest hill in Dorset 910ft (276m) and one time haunt of the Wordsworths for a few years. Wide ranging views to Lamberts Hill Fort, Symondsbury, Beaminsiter and the sea at Bridport.  The walk follows the Wessex Ridgeway NW over Blackdown Hill to Synderford and Saddle Street below Thorncombe to turn east along Paynes Down to Bettiscombe Manor House, a Tudor farmhouse manor of the Piney family.  It then joins the Monarchs Way at Pilsdon Manor Community, a religious retreat, proceeding uphill to Pilsdon Barn below the car park. Dog friendly but with livestock - horses, sheep and cattle.