CASTLEMAN TRAIL STAGE TWO

Castleman Trail Stage Two

THE CASTLEMAN TRAIL – Stage Two – Stapehill to Hamworthy -  1 February 2015

 

To undertake this as a linear 9.2 mile walk, park at Hamworthy Station (BH16 5AA) and take the train to Bournemouth (19 minutes) and go to Stand 1 in the bus station on the south side and get More Bus No 13 to Uddens Cross which takes 33 minutes.

 

The bus stop is opposite the Old Thatch Restaurant in Stapehill. Go down the side road next to it to get to the Castleman Trail.

The initial section is along the disused railway until you get near to the A31 after which it has been built upon.

 

The route then splits, pedestrians can cross some fields to follow the River Stour.

You pass Canford School on the opposite bank and then get this view of a weir.

After that you cross this beautiful but bouncy suspension bridge.

 

You follow an avenue of trees along an old track away from the school and under this arch with the old railway track above it. On reaching a road you turn left and walk through Oakley.

An hour and half after the start you reach the Willett Arms, open all day for food and a good family orientated place to stop for lunch.

Then you join the former track of the Castleman Railway and this photo is on the first section from Oakley to Broadstone.

This is the section south of Broadstone

 

This looks like a railway track but it is a section of the Roman Road that you follow towards Upton Country Park where the Castleman Trail ends. Pass to the right of the house and then around the back where there is a refreshment kiosk and continue down through the gardens to the shore and turn right.

Follow the shore of Holes Bay and you get this lovely view across to Pergins Island. On reaching the main line railway which crosses the bay turn right and follow it to leave the Park to locate the Hamworthy Station.

All the maps you need can be downloaded and printed from https://www.dorsetforyou.com/castlemantrailway