Pony and owner embark on Iron Age hill forts trek

A long-distance walker has set out on a trek to visit 30 of Dorset's Iron Age hill forts with his pack pony.

Land agent Roger Sewill, who lives in Cheselbourne, Dorset, has given himself three weeks to complete his challenge, which he started on Tuesday, with his pony Scarlet.

He said the near-200-mile (322 km) trek around the county was to support Dorset Wildlife Trust's work in nature recovery.

He said the journey would "force me to go in places where I'd never normally choose to walk".

Dorset has a number of ancient hill fort sites including Maiden Castle just outside Dorchester and Hambledon Hill near Blandford Forum.

"They're just hiding in plain sight. They've always been there," Sewill said.

"I thought if I use those hill forts as a beacon to try and find a route between them, it would force me to go in places where I'd never normally choose to walk."

Sewill said Scarlet, who will carry his bags, was "pretty self-sufficient" and "eats as she goes along".

"For Scarlet, it's amazing, actually. She's so strong," he said.

"We're stopping in farmers' fields each night, hopefully, so I'm confident of her. I'm more worried about myself."

Sewill said his route would take him through the centres of both Bridport and Dorchester".

"I'm going to stop near Maiden Castle for the night and then if I'm going to get to the Poundbury [hillfort]."

He added he had been a "pretty good long distance walker".

"I'm going to walk about 12 to 30 miles a day, I've given myself three weeks to get round," he said.

"The whole thing seems too daunting if I start thinking about where I'll be in two weeks time, so it's one day at a time.

"And each day I've got something historical to go and find, which will be my main mission for the day - and giving Scarlet a good time as we go out."

In October 2024, Sewill walked 200 miles (322 km) through Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset with Scarlet to raise awareness of rural mental health problems.

The National Trusts says the Iron Age hill forts in the Dorset countryside include "Bronze Age mounds and earthworks all with far-reaching views".

The forts were built on hills to protect inhabitants from enemy attacks.

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