The Bankes Arms

Agglestone Rock and Godlingston Heath

A 3.8-mile circuit of Purbeck heath in two hours, out to the great leaning ironstone block of the Agglestone and round by the Puckstone on sandy tracks and boardwalk, with 110 metres of climb and standing water in the hollows most of the winter. Start from the National Trust Knoll Beach car park, free to members, huge, and with the visitor centre, toilets and outdoor showers on site. This is lowland heath of European importance: dogs must be on a lead from March to July because nightjars, Dartford warblers and skylarks nest on the ground, and adders bask on the sandy path edges in spring, which is a real hazard for a dog nosing through heather.