The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Valley Of Stones National Nature Reserve

Under the full moon’s silver glow, the Hampton Stones near Abbotsbury do not remain cold, silent granite. As the light reaches its peak, the boulders groan and stretch, shedding their stony shells. They emerge as towering, grey-skinned humans and prowling, heavy-limbed beasts, driven by an eternal, agonizing thirst. They wander the ridgeway, desperate to reach the cool waters of the Fleet. Yet, they are cursed; as the moon begins to fade and the first hint of dawn touches the sky, their forms stiffen. Fearful, they scramble toward their original positions, desperately trying to return to the safety of the earth. But if the moon fades too quickly, they are caught in the open—frozen mid-stride, trapped forever in stone, waiting for the next full moon to grant them another fleeting, thirsty night of life.

Standing at the crest of the South Dorset Ridgeway gives you one of the most striking coastal panoramas in the UK. Because the ridge rises sharply just inland from the coast, the landscape unfolds below you like a massive, living map. The Fleet Lagoon and Chesil Beach The most dominating feature from this height is the massive sweep of Chesil Beach, a 18-mile barrier of shingles stretching out toward the Isle of Portland in the distance. Trapped right behind it is The Fleet, a shallow, glassy lagoon. From the Ridgeway, you get a clear view of how this narrow strip of water mirrors the sky, contrasting sharply with the rougher English Channel waves breaking on the outer side of the bank. Abbotsbury Vale Looking directly down into the valley, the village of Abbotsbury looks nestled into the rolling green landscape. St Catherine’s Chapel: The 14th-century stone chapel sits entirely exposed on its own smaller hill down in the vale, looking like a tiny solitary sentinel against the backdrop of the sea. The Subtropical Gardens and Swannery: You can trace the dark, wooded canopy of the gardens and the open waterways of the swannery where the Fleet tapers off into the land. On a clear day, the perspective is incredible—you can track the entire curve of the Jurassic Coast all the way out to the red cliffs of Devon in the west.

Legend says the Devil was hanging out up on Portland Hills, feeling competitive. He spotted the church tower down in Abbotsbury and decided to try his luck at a game of quoits, using a massive, multi-ton boulder as his ring. He hurled the rock across the landscape, but his aim was off—it smashed down onto Black Down ridge instead. Today, locals call that ancient burial chamber the Hell Stone, marking the Devil's bad throw.

part of the 17 miles of earthworks.

Located near the village pub in Martinstown, this historic, stone-lined sheep wash pool dates back to the 19th century. Once a vital hub for local farmers to dip and clean their livestock, it now serves a much lighter purpose, most famously hosting the village's annual charity duck race.

While Dorset is famous for ancient megaliths, the Black Down Stone Circle is actually a contemporary twist on history. Created by artist Amanda Moore, this modern monument features five dry-stone "totems" made of local Forest Marble. They act as a solar and lunar calendar, perfectly framing the solstice sunrises and sunsets.

Dorset’s National Landscape is a masterclass in dramatic geography. From afar, its chalk ridges look like a crumpled green velvet blanket thrown over the countryside. Towering white cliffs plunge into a turquoise sea, while deep, sweeping valleys give the distinct impression that the earth is breathing in giant, rolling waves.

Hardy’s Monument: climb 120 steps to look like a sweaty mess, just so you can stare at Dorset, the sea, and sheep that look like popcorn. On a clear day, you can see your house!