Sunday 26th July 2026
Starts 10:15 until 15:30
Dray Horse Yard, Brewery Square, Dorchester DT1 1QR

Wey Valley Walk

Explore the Wey Valley on Foot

Walk guides, Byron Silver and Mark North

Date: Sunday, 26th July 2026

Time: 10.15am

Cost: £10 (not including bus/train fare)

Meet: By the Dray Horse Statue in Brewery Square, Dorchester

Included in the 2026 THS Conference & Festival Programme

Priority booking for Full Conference Ticket Holders

Booking Open to others from 2nd June 2026 (Subject to availability)

The walk will be led by Mark North, of Dorset Museum, and Byron Silver, of the Thomas Hardy Society.

Please meet at Brewery Square, Dorchester (by the Dray Horse statue) at 10:15 am. We will then take a bus to Elwell St, Upwey, where our walk will commence.

The walk will follow the course of the river Wey from source-to-sea, as closely and as safely as possible, and will pass through Nottington and Radipole villages en route to Weymouth Harbour. Sites of specific historical interest and/or relevance to Hardy’s life will be pointed out and enlarged upon. At the conclusion of our walk, the group will be taken back to the King’s Statue bus stop, where they will be able to board a number 10 bus back to Dorchester. The service is very frequent. Anyone preferring to use the train can be directed to the local train station. Those who wish to remain in ‘Budmouth’ a little longer, to sample the many delights of this historic seaside town, will be at liberty to catch a later bus or train back to Dorchester, or to make other arrangements.

Walkers will need to bring bottled water with them, and to wear appropriate footwear (i.e. boots).

The terrain is uneven in places, and there will be some gradients and stiles to negotiate, so walkers will also be required to have good mobility.

The walk will last approximately 5 hours and will include a stop in Nottington, around 1:00 pm, for delicious freshly-baked scones/cake in the Pear Tree Produce Tea Garden (GF can be catered for, but not vegan). Pre-order is necessary - Walkers will be able to use the facilities on site.

Choices are 2 x scones with Pear Tree Produce Jam or Lemon Polenta Cake (GF) with either tea or homemade elderflower cordial - £6