A hoard of long-lost CDs with audio commentary recorded along Dorset’s stunning Wessex Ridgeway has been discovered hidden in a box.

A lockdown clearout at Hardy’s Visitor Centre in Thorncombe Wood unearthed the box containing around 80 copies of the original CD – and they are being offered to anyone for free.

The audio contains stories, anecdotes and history recorded along the 62 miles of the trail. At Shillingstone, for example, the sound of a steam train and a driver telling stories of 70mph railway speed limits through the village.

Poems and songs feature along with stories including the Gaggle of Geese poultry auction. There’s talk of tractors and fayres and the views on offer across the Blackmore Vale. In all the commentary lasts 53 minutes. The box was found by Dorset ranger Claire Platten, who is based at the visitor centre and remembers the recording project about 15 years ago.

“In lockdown, we had time to clear up the workshop and found this box at the back of the room. There used to be an old Ranger base at Thorncombe which was demolished to make way for the visitor centre and I knew the CDs had come over. They’ve just been buried for a while.”

The Ridgeway starts at Ashmore, the highest village in Dorset a few miles from Shaftesbury. The trail then tracks southwest to Lyme Regis, mostly along the great chalk ridge formed 100 million years ago.
Dorset Council commissioned the audio journey “from the highest village to the sea” and split the 53-minute soundtrack into five sections of the route, each of 10-11 minutes duration.

The first covers Ashmore to Shillingtone, then Shillingstone-Dorset Gap; Dorset Gap-Maiden Newton; Maiden Newton-Beaminster and finally, Beaminster- Lyme Regis. The five recordings are still available at: tinyurl.com/y8epc2kj


The discovery of 80 full length versions has encouraged Claire to offer them to anyone who is interested, particularly those who may be isolated, in care or is no longer able to walk the route.

“A lot of people can’t get outside or have a friend or family member isolating at home who would love to be in the countryside, meeting people and listening to their stories. This is bringing the outside to those inside,” she said.

About 20 of the CDs have already been snapped up after the story was mentioned on a Stepping into Nature project run by the Dorset AoNB.
If you would like to receive a copy, then send a stamped, self-addressed A5 envelope to: Dorset Council Rangers’ Office, Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre, Thorncombe Wood, Higher Bockhampton, Dorset DT2 8QH.

There are still 60 CDs available on a first come, first served basis.

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