Tollard Royal Walks
This Wiltshire based village is in a nice location for exploring the woodland and countryside of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The historic settlement includes a pretty village pond, a 13th century church, the Grade II listed King John's House and some beautiful local pleasure gardens.
This walk from the village visits the lovely Larmer Tree Gardens, just to the south of the settlement. The beautiful gardens include some nice walkways with tea rooms, peacocks and a folly viewpoint to enjoy.
The walk then continues south to visit the neighbouring Dorset village of Farnham where there are many quaint thatched cottages to see.
Postcode
SP5 5PS - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsTollard Royal Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Tollard Royal Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Tollard Royal OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Tollard Royal Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Tollard Royal
- Win Green Hill - Climb to the highest point in the Cranborne Chase AONB and enjoy wonderful views over Shaftesbury, Salisbury Plain, Glastonbury Tor, the Mendips, the Quantocks, the Purbecks and the south coast
- Duncliffe Wood - Explore miles of cycling and walking trails in this large area of ancient woodland near Shaftesbury
- Fontmell and Melbury Downs - Enjoy a variety of beautiful flora and fauna in this nature reserve in Compton Abbas on the Dorset/Wiltshire border
- Wessex Ridgeway - This wonderful trail runs from Marlborough in Wiltshire to Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset
- Shaftesbury - Enjoy a short walk around the Dorset town of Shaftesbury with a climb to Gold Hill, made famous from the Hovis adverts of the 1970s
- Wessex Ridgeway Trail - Follow the Wessex Ridgeway Trail and enjoy spectacular views of the Dorset countryside on this shared walking and cycling path.
The trail begins at Tollard Royal in Wiltshire and heads to Hambledon Hill passing through Ashmore Wood and crossing the River Iwerne on the way - Compton Abbas - This pretty village is in a great location for exploring some of the most attractive parts of the Cranborne Chase AONB
- Broad Chalke - This picturesque Wiltshire based village is a lovely place for an easy stroll.
- Ebbesbourne Wake - This pretty little Wiltshire village is a fine place to start a walk
- Dorset Cursus - This circular walk visits the Dorset Cursus in the Cranborne Chase AONB
Pubs/Cafes
Back in the village The King John Inn is a fine place for some post walk refreshments. They serve high quality food which you can enjoy in the lovely Victorian tiered garden.
Dog Walking
The public country footpaths make for a fine dog walk. You could also head west along the Wessex Ridgeway to visit Ashmore Wood where there are some good dog walking trails. To the north east there's Chase Woods to explore.
Please note dogs are not allowed inside Larmer Gardens but there are public footpaths around the grounds. The King John mentioned above is dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking in the area pick up the Wessex Ridgeway and follow it north to Win Green Hill. The hill is the high point in the Cranborne Chase AONB and provides excellent views to Shaftesbury, Salisbury Plain, Glastonbury Tor, the Mendips, the Quantocks, the Purbecks and the south coast. Just to the west of the hill you will find Fontmell and Melbury Downs nature reserve where there's fine views and interesting flora and fauna.
To the south you will find the Dorset Cursus an ancient Neolithic earthwork on Wyke Down. There's some excellent views over the countryside of the Cranborne Chase AONB to enjoy from here.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cranborne Chase Walks page.
Photos
Village pond Tollard Royal. The water level is low for this time of year. In times of flood will overflow under the bridge and along the road.
Village Hall & War Memorial From across the pond.
Cottage. Tollard Royal nestles in a deep valley and this cottage is close to the Church.
Tollard Royal's church - St. Peter ad Vincula. 13th century and standing next to King John's House.
Larmer Tree, The Folly. Countryside views from the folly in the gardens.
Larmer Tree Gardens were created by General Pitt Rivers in 1880 as pleasure grounds for `public enlightenment and entertainment'. They are an extraordinary example of Victorian extravagance and vision. The garden contains a wonderful collection of ornate buildings, majestic trees and intimate arbours, retained in an enchanted timeless atmosphere.
Peacocks showing off on the roof of the tearoom at Larmer Tree Gardens.
Farnham, thatches aplenty. The village of Farnham has many thatched cottages, inclunding these either side of the main road.