Blackmore Vale Inn

		The exterior belies the age of this lovely old pub, which began life 400 years ago. Built originally as farm cottages it later became an old bake house and brew house.

Address: Marnhull, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1JJ Phone: 01258 820701

Inside there are two very atmospheric bars having heavily beamed ceilings, bare stone walls and two beautiful open inglenook fire places housing warm winter fires. There is also a skittle alley, a large beer garden and children's play area.

About the pub

Very good food can be ordered daily from 11.30 - 1.45 and 6.30 - 10, Sunday 12 noon - 2 and 7 - 8.45. Apart from daily specials like sizzling stir fry meals, fresh fish at weekends and six roasts on Sunday the menu lists a good choice of starters and snacks including home-made soup, mussels cooked in their shells with onion, garlic and parsley and breaded Brie - deep fried and served with fruits of the forest sauce.

The menu is up-dated regularly but to wet your appetite examples of past dishes include whole grilled plaice and trout, voodoo chicken - breast of chicken filled with cream cheese and chili stuffing served with spicy tomato and red pepper sauce and chicken en croute. Also listed are game pie and steak and kidney pie, chili, various grills and a lamb and mango curry. Vegetarians can choose between pastitsio - Greek style noodle dish of tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, red peppers, herbs and green peppercorns topped with a cheese sauce.

Children welcome over 8 and dogs on leads.

Time at the Bar

Weekday opening times 11.30 - 2.30 & 6.30 - 11. Sunday 12 noon -3 & 7 -10.30. Telephone: (01258) 820701

From the B3092 go past the church into Church Hill and follow the road round through the village.

Park in the road or car park at rear.

The Walk

Approximate distance: 4.75 miles. OS Map 183 ST 774/195.

An enjoyable mostly level walk guiding you on well trodden field paths to historic Cutt Mill and the village of Hinton St Mary then returning to the village by way of field paths, tracks and farm roads.

	Road			Bridge
	Track			Gate
	Undefined Path			Gap in hedge
	Stile			Cattle Grid

Turn left from the inn through the village and immediately prior to reaching the road on the right turn right into the drive. Go past the garages, over the stile and bear left around the building to join the gravel track. Walk up to the gate and keep straight ahead following the short grass track up to the stiles. Turn left over a second stile bearing right in the direction of the waymark. Cross another stile and head up the field on the well trodden path beside the hedge, round the top of the field and through the kissing gate then bear left across to one last kissing gate into the cul-de-sac and down to the road.

Cross to the lane opposite and continue down the private drive, past the dwelling then go through the little gate on the right, walk around the pond, through two more gates and up into the field. Almost immediately go over the stile on the left then bear right up the field towards the corner of the hedge making for the stile at the top.

Turn left into the lane and cross to the farm entrance opposite turning left again along the grass track leading round to a stile. Go round the pond keeping straight ahead into the field and across to the pair of stiles in the far hedge. Turn right, enter the next field and continue down and round until you reach the stile then cross to the riverbank and turn left walking towards Cutt Mill. There are good views of the mill from the bridge on the right.

Walk up the tarred drive ignoring the signed footpath on the right but continue until you reach the bridleway signposted, Wood Lane. Go up into the field and turn right past the bluebell wood, through the plantation and the gap in the far hedge. Turn left keeping to the grass strip beside the hedge and when you reach the stile in the wire fence cross into the field on the right. Bear left to the stiles in the hedge then make for the gate between the cottage and out building and turn left.

Carefully cross the road into the lane opposite walking as far as the stile on the left. Keep to the track down and round the field, between the plantation and into the field. Walk straight ahead across the length of two fields bearing left at the fence, cross two stiles and a plank bridge and continue round the field to the gate turning right into the lane.

Take the next turning left following the concrete farm road up and round the fields, through the farm yard, out to the road and turn left. Walk past the Crown turning right in front of the church into Church Hill. At the end of the wall cross the stile into the field on the left following the well trodden path across to the gap in the hedge then bear left over to the stile, go up to the road and turn left.

Shortly cross the stile into the filed on the right and, keeping close to the hedge walk to the gate in the top of the field. Pass though a similar gate on the left, bearing right cross the field to the gate, up the narrow path to the road and turn right back to the pub.

Adapted from the Pub Walks Range of books by Mike Power, Power Publications, 1 Clayford Ave, Ferndown, Dorset. Available from all good bookshops or contact sales@powerpublications.co.uk.

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