'We are lucky in Dorset that we have some stunning countryside with around 3,000 miles of public rights of way to explore.'

'Promoting accessibility to leisure and sport, signposting family, carer and disability support.'

'The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of a family of protected landscapes in the UK, working to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of almost half of Dorset's countryside. Rather than just one beautiful landscape to shout about, the Dorset AONB is a collection of beautiful landscapes - each with different histories, ways of working and stories to tell ...'

'Organises walks throughout the year, usually on the 2nd Sunday of the month. During the summer there is occasionally an additional walk. The typical length is 6 to 9 miles.'

'A friendly outdoor activities and social group in our 20s to 30s, established in 2003.'

'Award-winning walking holidays & heritage tours in Dorset, UK.'

'The Dorset Group of the LDWA was founded in 1993. The Group organises regular social walks nd two challenge walks each year, one being the Dorset Doddle, a 32 mile walk along the coastal path from Weymouth to Swanage.'

'Anybody who wants to attend and is capable of going the distance is welcome to come on any Ramblers’ walk.  However, the Area Introduction Walks Programme is primarily aimed at people who are new to walking, who have participated in the Walking for Health programme and are looking for something a bit harder, or who for family, time, health or mobility reasons are not able to complete the Ramblers’ longer walks ...'

The Area Introduction Walks Programme is made up of short walks (3 to 5 miles), which are reasonably flat and within the Ramblers’ definition of an ‘easy’ walk at most

'Dorset is one of the finest counties in England for walking; its exceptional mix of awe inspiring coastline, ancient wooded valleys, rolling chalk downlands and secluded river valleys makes for a true rambler’s paradise!'

'The Forum has 21 members - 18 independent members and 3 representatives of Dorset County Council, Bournemouth and Poole Borough Councils.'

'Details of a number of scenic walks in Dorset, the vast majority of which involve stopping at one or more pubs along the route.' ALERT The Website originally cited here seems no longer.

'Discover Dorset's unspoilt countryside with "Trains to Trails" - the detailed guide to walks from Dorset Stations. Pick up the complete leaflet at your nearest First Great Western station, or download PDF versions ... Starting and ending at the same rural station, the routes all include at least one pub and are within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.'

Note Not clear whether copies of this Leaflet are still available from First Great Western; but PDFs of the Leaflet and of the individual Walks (plus one of two more) can be downloaded from the Wessex Wanderer Site.

'In April 2007, inspired by the writings of Thomas Hardy, I travelled on foot from Win Green to Weymouth. The journey was one of great contrast, reaching to the very heart of Hardy country. Along the way I passed through landscapes associated with the novels, poems and short stories: Cranbourne Chase, the valley of the Stour, the chalk ridge south of the Blackmoor Vale, the Frome valley, the coastal uplands ... '

'Why not come on one of the Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks over the summer (between May and October each year) and have a great day out?  This is a great way to enjoy the combination of travelling by train and going to a different area and exploring the countryside.'