Discover Ashmore

Ashmore is the highest village in Dorset. It lies more than 700 feet (213 m) above sea level. This elevation provides a clear starting point for understanding the village’s geography; the views from Ashmore add specific landscapes and places in several directions.

Elevation and landscape

Especially to the southeast, the views extend across the New Forest to the Isle of Wight. To the south, you can see as far as Bournemouth, Poole and the Purbeck Hills. Ashmore also lies within the former hunting ground of Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire and Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Both the named distant destinations and these two landscape references are therefore part of the picture of the village. The views to the southeast and south are easy to distinguish: they lead to different destinations and landscapes.

Village pond and Filly Loo

At the centre of the village is Ashmore Pond, a circular pond about 36 metres in diameter. The annual Filly Loo is held around this central village pond. The village festival takes place on the Friday evening closest to the longest day of the year; the exact date may vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the date of that year’s event in advance. The pond and the festival play different roles in your planning: the pond is a permanent feature of the village, while Filly Loo is an annual event whose date depends on the calendar.

Church of St Nicholas

The Church of St Nicholas is a parish church built in 1874 by Charles Edwards of Exeter. Its chequerboard masonry is made of greensand and flint. The church is also said to contain a 13th-century chancel arch. The construction date of 1874 and the possibly much older chancel arch therefore belong to two different periods. The church brings together a specific construction date and an older architectural feature described with appropriate caution.

W34 circular route

The W34 circular route leads from the village of Ashmore through Ashmore Wood and Harbin’s Park to Tarrant Gunville. The return leg passes through Stubhampton and Ashmore Bottom. The route crosses hilly countryside via woodland and field paths, bridleways and quiet roads. There are also some cattle grids and gates along the way. To assess the route, take into account both the named sections and the different types of path. Conditions may vary depending on the season; bear this in mind when planning.

Historic routes

The Wessex Ridgeway is part of the Great Ridgeway, an ancient route that was once an important trade route between the coasts of Devon and Norfolk. This historic trading role differs from the specific terrain details of the W34: here, the focus is on the route’s former role as a connection between the coasts.

Discover more destinations: Alderholt, Poole, Higher Frome Vauchurch, Charminster, Hamworthy, Puddletown, West Moors, Langton Matravers.

For the broader travel overview: Dorset.