From nature walks to brewery tours, the nine-day Dorchester Walking Festival coming up next month will offer something for everyone.

The festival will take place from Saturday, May 13 to Sunday, May 21 during National Walking Month.

The programme offers 50 guided walks to choose from – a mixture of long and short walks and activities for all abilities and interests. 

Whether you are a keen hiker or prefer a gentle stroll, the programme will include something for everyone – for all ages, families and individuals alike.

As well as guided walked, the programme includes details of many walks that can be enjoyed at your own leisure, with lengths varying from two-mile trails around the town to longer hike, including the 26-mile Cerne Valley walk and the 212-mile Hardy Way – to be completed over a longer period.

The festival will get underway with a Dawn Chorus Walk, starting at 5am on Saturday, May 13 from Dorchester Borough Gardens, where guide Joy Wallis will encourage walkers to keep their eyes and ears open for local birdlife. 

Other nature theme walks on the programme will include a tour of Poundbury locations taking part in a nature recovery scheme, a guided walk across the water meadows and downland of Dorchester, walks to identify different herb and tree species. 

Other common themes of walks will include architecture, history and heritage, including tours exploring Dorchester's brewing heritage and beer tastings, a look at the town's Victorian architecture, and a tour of King Charles' Poundbury.

Longer walks will include a 10-mile guided route along the South West Coast path from South Down to Lulworth Cove, and an away day for a nine-mile exploration of the coastal path around Weymouth.

Family friendly activities will also be held throughout the festival, including a scavenger hunt around the Great Field in Poundbury, led by PiPs Cafe, and many of the walks will start or finish with refreshments including coffee, beer tastings and cream teas at several of Dorchester's hospitality businesses.

The festival will finish with the beating of the bounds – an ancient tradition celebrated at the town boundaries – led by town crier Alistair Chisholm, meeting at the Roman Town House at 4pm on Sunday, May 21. All are welcome to come along with pots, pans, drums and rattles to make some noise!

For more details and the full programme of events, visit https://discoverdorchester.co.uk/dorchester-walking-festival/