Useful Information

Start point: Ringwood, Hampshire.

Finish point: Poole.

Total distance: 16.5 miles (26.5 km).

Time needed: 3 hours as a leisurely cycle ride.

Map information: OS map Explorer OL22 and 195 Bournemouth & Purbeck.

Districts covered: Hampshire, Dorset (East Dorset & Poole).

Linking trails and routes:

Castleman Trailway

The Castleman Trailway is one of Dorset's gentlest way-marked routes. This 16.5 mile (27.9 kilometres) trailway follows much of the old Southampton to Dorchester railway line. The trailway takes you through some of East Dorset's stunning landscape whilst also connecting a string of settlements between Ringwood and Poole.

Whether you are using the route for recreation or commuting to work, the Castleman Trailway offers a beautiful and practical route to take you where you want to go. As you travel along the trail you will pass some of the county's internationally important heathland, cross rivers and pass through forestry plantations. The trailway in particular links with three country parks in the: Avon Heath Country Park; Moors Valley Country Park; and Upton Country Park.

The Trailway is named after Charles Castleman, a Wimborne Solicitor, who was responsible for building the original railway line and the first to connect Dorset to the wider rail network. The Southampton to Dorchester to railway line was nicknamed the Castleman Corkscrew, after its founder and the meandering route it took. It was closed by Dr. Beeching in 1964; however, it had been a secondary route once a coastal main line had been established between Christchurch, Bournemouth, and Poole. The Trailway is managed in partnership by Dorset Countryside, Borough of Poole and Hampshire County Council with the support from other organisations.

Trail Maps

Map 1 of 8 - Castleman Trailway - Ringwood to Ashley Heath [655kb] [PDF] (opens in a new window)

Map 2 of 8 - Castleman Trailway - Ashley Heath to West Moors [664kb] [PDF] (opens in a new window)

Map 3 of 8 - Castleman Trailway - West Moors to Ameysford [626kb] [PDF] (opens in a new window)

Map 4 of 8 - Castleman Trailway - Ameysford to Stapehill [706kb] [PDF] (opens in a new window)

Map 5 of 8 - Castleman Trailway - Stapehill to River Stour [663kb] [PDF] (opens in a new window)

Map 6 of 8 - Castleman Trailway - River Stour to Broadstone [721kb] [PDF] (opens in a new window)

Map 7 of 8 - Castleman Trailway - Broadstone [849kb] [PDF] (opens in a new window)

Map 8 of 8 - Castleman Trailway - Broadstone to Upton Country Park [779kb] [PDF] (opens in a new window)

Finding your way:

On the ground you need follow the Castleman Trailway Logo which is a green steam locomotive framed within a yellow footprint.

The Trailway logo should be found at main entrances, on way marker posts and on street lampposts.
Within the Borough of Poole it is also identified as National Cycle Network Route 25.
At present there is no way marked cycle route through Wimborne (Canford Bottom Roundabout to the Willet Arms) although a riverside route can be taken by pedestrians. Equestrians have use of the following sections: Ringwood to Westmoors Plantation; Ameysford (Uddens Plantation) to Stapehill.