Park in the lay-by by the pump at the east end of the village.
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Take the track signposted Bridleway to Cranborne Castle.
Lat: 50° 54' 7.3'' N (50.902028°) Long: 1° 54' 29.2'' W (-1.908104°) OS SU 06558 11400 w3w: ///disprove.clubs.ballroom -
This runs dead straight for 700m (760 yds).
Lat: 50° 54' 21.3'' N (50.905913°) Long: 1° 54' 18.4'' W (-1.905109°) OS SU 06768 11832 w3w: ///crass.glimmers.trembles -
Take the right fork and immediately ...
Lat: 50° 54' 26.5'' N (50.907356°) Long: 1° 54' 14.5'' W (-1.904017°) OS SU 06845 11993 w3w: ///pokes.withdraws.skyrocket -
... go over the stile and on to the permissive path.
Lat: 50° 54' 27.5'' N (50.907646°) Long: 1° 54' 13.2'' W (-1.903675°) OS SU 06869 12025 w3w: ///shining.sweetly.scratches -
The path here is indistinct to say the least. Head to the left of the two trees.
Lat: 50° 54' 29.7'' N (50.908257°) Long: 1° 54' 10.2'' W (-1.90283°) OS SU 06928 12093 w3w: ///musically.circles.relegate -
Keep just uphill of the reedy patch and the path becomes easier to make out. The views from here are pretty good.
Lat: 50° 54' 30.4'' N (50.908449°) Long: 1° 54' 5.7'' W (-1.901572°) OS SU 07016 12114 w3w: ///curl.scatters.longingly -
Head down hill to the gate at the bottom of the field, and go over the stile.
Lat: 50° 54' 31.8'' N (50.908836°) Long: 1° 53' 59.6'' W (-1.899879°) OS SU 07135 12157 w3w: ///eggshell.interest.exile -
At the bottom of the field entrance, turn left on to the byway know as Mill Lane.
Lat: 50° 54' 33.2'' N (50.909232°) Long: 1° 53' 49.8'' W (-1.897159°) OS SU 07326 12202 w3w: ///tailors.extensive.ripen -
Keep going along Mill Lane ...
Lat: 50° 54' 44.5'' N (50.912374°) Long: 1° 54' 30.3'' W (-1.908404°) OS SU 06535 12550 w3w: ///group.stored.meanwhile -
... until you come to the metalled road, Castle Hill Lane. Turn left up the hill.
Lat: 50° 54' 50.3'' N (50.913986°) Long: 1° 55' 4.3'' W (-1.917863°) OS SU 05870 12729 w3w: ///reply.mental.dries -
At the top of the hill, turn left and go through the gate to Cranborne Castle Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Lat: 50° 54' 48.2'' N (50.913398°) Long: 1° 55' 6'' W (-1.91833°) OS SU 05837 12663 w3w: ///movement.seated.socialite -
Follow this path through the woods until it eventually opens out.
Lat: 50° 54' 45.9'' N (50.912747°) Long: 1° 55' 1.7'' W (-1.917138°) OS SU 05921 12591 w3w: ///greyhound.reckoned.change -
There are a few unofficial paths off to the left cutting the corner, but the permissive route runs straight ahead almost to the trees in the distance.
Lat: 50° 54' 45'' N (50.912513°) Long: 1° 54' 59'' W (-1.916381°) OS SU 05975 12565 w3w: ///hydration.hounded.galleries -
The route to Cranborne Castle doubles back at this point. Return to this point once you have seen enough.
Lat: 50° 54' 44.7'' N (50.91242°) Long: 1° 54' 55.1'' W (-1.915295°) OS SU 06051 12555 w3w: ///blunders.holiday.clearcut -
Follow the path, known as Monro Drove, into the woods.
Lat: 50° 54' 44.7'' N (50.912413°) Long: 1° 54' 53.4'' W (-1.914841°) OS SU 06083 12554 w3w: ///loose.lessening.ditched -
Keep going along this track until you spot the gate at the end.
Lat: 50° 54' 35.2'' N (50.909782°) Long: 1° 54' 29.2'' W (-1.908116°) OS SU 06556 12262 w3w: ///distract.this.protrude -
Just before you get to the gate, turn sharp right up the slight rise.
Lat: 50° 54' 34.9'' N (50.909697°) Long: 1° 54' 31.9'' W (-1.908867°) OS SU 06503 12252 w3w: ///stretcher.storming.wiggles -
Where the path divides, turn left following the waymark.
Lat: 50° 54' 31.1'' N (50.908642°) Long: 1° 54' 39.2'' W (-1.910888°) OS SU 06361 12135 w3w: ///overdrive.gems.neck -
Keep following the waymarks.
Lat: 50° 54' 29'' N (50.908067°) Long: 1° 54' 36'' W (-1.910002°) OS SU 06424 12071 w3w: ///plod.dearest.thankful -
When you see the gate into the field, turn left on to the overgrown path leading up hill. There is a waymark here, but it is badly placed and I found it ambiguous.
Lat: 50° 54' 21.7'' N (50.906031°) Long: 1° 54' 38.5'' W (-1.910704°) OS SU 06375 11845 w3w: ///organisms.betrayal.oils -
Go over the stile into the field and turn right.
Lat: 50° 54' 20.3'' N (50.905631°) Long: 1° 54' 35.4'' W (-1.909828°) OS SU 06436 11800 w3w: ///range.passport.unstated -
There is no discernible path here. Keep to the right-hand side of the field, and watch your step as the ground is very uneven. Go over the stile into the next field.
Lat: 50° 54' 18.4'' N (50.905125°) Long: 1° 54' 36.1'' W (-1.910036°) OS SU 06422 11744 w3w: ///waving.splat.joints -
According to the estate's map the path runs down the right-hand side of the long row of trees in the middle of the field. The beaten track, such as it is, runs down the slightly damper left-hand side.
Lat: 50° 54' 14.6'' N (50.904064°) Long: 1° 54' 38.6'' W (-1.910712°) OS SU 06374 11626 w3w: ///unimpeded.snore.bunny -
Either way, when you reach the bottom end of the trees you will see the gate leading on to the road. Go over the stile, turn left and head back up the road to the start point.
Lat: 50° 54' 10.9'' N (50.903016°) Long: 1° 54' 42.6'' W (-1.911847°) OS SU 06295 11509 w3w: ///hero.booklet.interlude