Stephens Castle, Vewood.

Stephens castle this morning. An easy walk (in fact pushchair and possibly wheelchair accessible, I say possibly as although the paths are good around the main heath area and their is a large metal kissing gate, the first slope is quite steep). This morning I walked up to the ponds )left and first right off the main track). The ponds are a super spot for pond dipping with children (a great half term activity, but remember to put the creatures back where you found them). There are four wooden observation platforms on the largest pond and identification boards around the pond. After the second pond I turned left and then right onto the sandy track that goes down to St Stephens Road. Just before you reach the road you can re enter the heathland, so turn right here and back up over the heath till you reach a left turn. This will take you back to the little path between Hillside school and the band hut.

Stephens castle, Verwood

Watching the sun go down at Stephens castle, Verwood. It's so near to the village centre that you can enjoy the sun set and still get home in the light. Go up behind the Memorial ground and walk up the little lane to the top. There is a gate on your right and after going through this, climb the steeps to the top for the best view in Verwood. From here you can see why Verwood was know as "A beautiful wood", for which its name means. We walked up into the forest and over to Cranborne common before returning to enjoy the sun set. There were rabbits and deer up there too.

Stephen's castle, Verwood.

Beautiful walk in the sunshine this afternoon. Starting from the Memorial ground and past the Hideaway. Take the first right turn onto the heathland and walk up to the pond. After the pond turn left and left again onto the track going uphill. At the top take the little left turn up a couple of steps and alongside the fence. The views are beautiful up here from the top of Stephen's castle. We could see all the way down to Bournemouth, the Purbecks and the Needles on the Isle of Wight. Then take the left turn down the wooden steps back to the bridleway and down to the park once again. It's always nice to finish this walk on a cold day with a coffee in Costa or one of the other cafes in Verwood.