Walk 6 - Fishing Barrow

A steady climb to an eminence in the middle of the golf course with breath-taking views, returning via the Agglestone. 35 minutes out, 35 back.

Local Walks
Agglestone
Old Harry Rocks
Ballard Down
Swanage
Little Sea
Fishing Barrow
Rempstone Forest
Ower Quay
Corfe Castle

The pleasantest, though not the shortest, route to Fishing Barrow is via the picturesque and horse-free footpath that has been recently been created. At Starting Point 1, note the lane straight ahead that is a continuation of your path across the field: the right fork in this bridleway leads straight to Fishing Barrow, but is often a sea of mud because of its heavy use by the riding school. But a few yards to the left is a small footpath that at first runs parallel to the bridleway, then crosses it and leads diagonally across a field to a strangely isolated road of suburban houses, at the end of which is a path leading diagonally to the right up to the heath.

Here it joins the original bridleway, which skirts to the left of a mound and then follows the edge of the golf course; the track is deeply grooved here and can be muddy in wet weather. After a steady climb, you emerge on to the golf-course itself, with a path leading to the main road (and and also to Nine Barrow Down: see Walk 9) to the left, and another to the right, marked with a sort of miniature tombstone: this is the one you want. These are all rights of way, so do not be intimidated by disapproving looks from golfers.

After 50 yards or so there is another bifurcation: the leftward path is marked to Rempstone Forest, the right, which we take, begins the return journey via the Agglestone. The gorsey hillock to the right is Fishing Barrow, and a little further along the path to the left is a stunning view out over the heathland and peninsula. Immediately ahead is the expanse of Rempstone Forest, tapering round to the right as the Goathorn Plantation and Goathorn Point, where the superstructure for the oil-well is. Beyond lie Furzey Island and Brownsea Island, and beyond that is Poole Harbour.

You can continue to admire the vista as you stride downhill, but be aware of golf balls as you go. The path is obvious, even if it occasionally takes you straight through a gorse-bush, and leads straight down to the Agglestone. Consult the description of Walk 1 if you need further directions to get back to the hotel.