Easy Beginner Rusty Duck Loop from Dorchester

Lovely circular route on quiet country lanes and which a short section of cycle path.
It's all on tarmac, so no need for chunky or knobbly tyres if your bike has smooth road tyres!

We head out from Max Gate to go through West Stafford with its thatched cottages before passing Woodsford Castle - the largest inhabited thatched dwelling in England and a rich history dating back to the 14th Century.
After turning left up Watery Lane to Tincleton, we then head west towards Dorchester, passing farms and open countryside. We see our cafe stop in the distance as it has a very large golden duck on the roof! The Rusty Duck cafe, part of Duck Farm (included in Thomas Hardy's book The Return of the Native), has lots of hot or cold drinks as well as sweet and savoury treats to enjoy whilst we pause and chat.
After our cuppa and chat we then head off again to complete the loop - passing the Blueberry Farm, Kingston Maurward, and going through Lower Bockhampton where Thomas Hardy went to school. We soon find ourselves back on the cycle path that we took out of Dorchester and back where we started.

Any questions about the route or ride, contact Alison the ride leader on 07967 094967.