Dorchester To Beaminster

Starting at the Railway Station in the Dorset town of Dorchester this challenging ride will take you along some rolling terrain to Cerne Abbas, Beaminster, and then on through the Dorset ‘Area of Natural Beauty’ and back to the start point at Dorchester

Route description
After leaving the start point at Dorchester station the first mile or so takes you through the the busier roads of the town, but these quickly turn in to the quiet country lanes that are to be the main feature of this route. Once you’re on the lanes it’s an almost straight route north to Cerne Abbas, skirting passed the villages of Charminster and Charlton Down. Once you’re in Cerne Abbas be sure to make time to visit the spectacular Cerne Abbas Giant hill carving.

From Cerne Abbas it’s a turn westwards and a generally straight line run through Malden Newton and Toller Porcorum where you will be unlucky to see too many cars the lanes are so quiet before an uphill run into Beaminster at roughly the half way point. If you’re looking for somewhere to have some refreshment there is plenty of choice in Beaminster.

Once refreshed in Beaminster the next five miles follow the busy (for Dorset) A3066 south until reaching the edge of Bradpole where the route turn back on to quieter roads through Loders and Uploders before crossing the busy A35 at Loders Cross. Once south of the A35 the road now takes a long climb through the villages Shipton Gorge, Litton Cheney and Little Bredy before reaching the rides highest point at the Hardy Monument where it’s worth taking some time out to climb to the top and see the views across the Dorset AONB.

Upon leaving the Hardy Monument the road is now all downhill / flat through Martinstown, and Winterborne Monkton before turning north into the outskirts of Dorchester and back to the starting point at the station.

Start Point – Dorchester train station

Distance – 46.7 miles /75.1 km

Elevation Gain -3960ft / 1207m

Places Of Interest:

Cerne Abbas hill carving at the 8 mile point.
Mapperton House and Gardens – at the 20.5 mile point. (restricted opening times – check before visiting)
Beaminster Museum – at the 22 miles point.
Hardy Monument – at the 40 mile point.

Refreshment Stops:

A good selection of cafe’s in Dorchester, Cerne Abbas, Malden Newton and Beaminster.
A good selection of local pubs and shops along the route.

Local Bicycle Shops –

Dorset Cyclelife – 181 Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3BN (approx 1.5 miles from the start)
JL Morgan Cycles – 13 Pymore Island, Pymore Terrace, Pymore, Bridport DT6 5SD (approx 0.75 miles from the 26.5 mile point)

Closest Railway Station(s)