Six members brave enough to endure the summer heat set off from the excellent car park near Hardy’s monument. The first stop , close to the car park, was an artwork surrounding a standing stone which showed very positive reactions with dowsing rods. After heading up to Hardy’s monument itself we joined the South Dorset Ridgeway through some welcome shade to eventually visit the Hellstone, just off the path, around 4000BC and the only intact dolmen in Dorset.

The ridgeway was followed to Hampton Stone Circle, sadly overgrown. The Abbotsbury road was crossed and the Moot stone passed on the way to the magnificent chambered long barrow and scheduled ancient monument of the Grey Mare and her Colts. By this time the heat was such that the group was topless. The group continued to the Kingston Russell Stone Circle where individuals found a stone to perch on for lunch.

From there we went over an ancient hut circle to drop down into the Bride valley and some awkward navigation to eventually reach Little Bredy and a very welcome tea stop at the Walled Garden where we were greeted by an old member of GOC, Jerry, who provided a continuous supply of tea. Two members visited the interesting Walled garden but the drought conditions had taken their toll.

Following the beautiful river Brid we walked into the grounds of Bridehead with its waterfall and magnificent trout filled lake. Passing the pretty Little Bredy church and, stopping briefly to watch the local cricket match, we entered the intriguing Valley of the Stones to rise steeply top the Portesham road and minor road back to the car park. This was the end of a walk packed with some wonderful Dorset prehistory.