Dorchester Walking Festival has reported a record year, with 705 tickets sold and £2,800 raised for charities over nine days.
The 2026 festival featured 52 guided walks led by 24 volunteer walk leaders, with many routes selling out. Walkers came from across the British Isles, Europe and the USA to explore Dorchester, the surrounding countryside and the area’s history, wildlife and landscape.
This year’s programme included walks on Roman Dorchester, Thomas Hardy, local history, nature, ancient burial sites and stone circles. Routes also took in coastal scenery, ridgeways, woodlands, Iron Age forts and chalk downs.
Money raised will support charities chosen by the walk leaders, including Dorchester Parkinson’s Dance Programme, Trees for Dorset, the Thomas Hardy Society, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, Dementia UK, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Weldmar Hospice and the National Trust.
Mayor of Dorchester Andy Canning said the volunteer leaders had created ‘a varied and engaging programme’, with visitors discovering new places and experiences.
The next Dorchester Walking Festival will run from 1st to 9th May 2027, tickets go on sale in February.
The Dorset Life Community News section is sponsored by Wessex Internet
