Graham Rains's Pictures of Child Okeford

The North Dorset Trailway

The North Dorset Trailway has become one of North Dorsets' main tourist attractions. The electronic counter between Shillingstone and Sturminster Newton registered 82,000 in 2010. It passes by Child Okeford at Bere Marsh, on its seven mile route from Sturminster Newton, through Shillingstone, to Stourpaine.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, English Countryside, Springtime in England, Transport, Pedal Power - Bicycles, North Dorset Trailway, North Dorset Trailway

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Stour Valley Summer

A view of Child Okeford at the foot of Hambledon Hill, from Churchfield, Shillingstone.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

Back on the Shillingstone section of The North Dorset Trailway, a chance to look back at Chisel Dairy and Hambledon Hill over the last mile of a 4-mile circular walk.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, Ancient England, Country Farms, English Countryside, Trees and Woodlands, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

The Haines Wilson footbridge over the River Stour, connects both the Parishes of Shillingstone and Child Okeford. It was named in honour of two prominent and long-serving Rights Of Way Officers from each Parish. It is also an observation point, used by The Dorset Wildlife Trust Otter Group, to monitor the presence of otters on this section of the River Stour.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, River Scenes, English Countryside, Trees and Woodlands, Dorset, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

The water meadows along the Stour Valley between Shillingstone and Child Okeford, are inhabited by many waterfowl. In this case a Heron flies past interrupting the distant view of Chisel Dairy and Hambledon Hill.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, English Countryside, Wildlife in England, Trees and Woodlands, Dorset, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

A right turn at the bottom of Melway Lane puts you onto a footpath across more water meadows towards the River Stour and Shillingstone. It's worth a backward glance towards Chisel Dairy and the Iron Age Heritage site of Hambledon Hill.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, English Countryside, Trees and Woodlands, Dorset, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

1 person has added this picture to their favourites

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

Melway Lane soon becomes a track which leads down to Okeford Coppice and Chisel Dairy.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Trees and Woodlands, English Countryside, Dorset, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

1 person has added this picture to their favourites

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

Further down the lane past Laurel Farm, Melway Lane off to the right takes you out of the village.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, English Cottages, Trees and Woodlands, Buildings and Structures, Dorset, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford Dorset

Although Laurel Farm has been occupied by several different owners, since it was the home of Harry Corbett, Sooty and his friends can still be seen looking down from an upstairs window to this day. A nice reminder of childhood memories, to those of us who are of a certain age.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, English Cottages, Homes of the Famous, Music and Television, Dorset, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford, A window to my world

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

Further down the lane is Laurel Farm. This traditional Dorset farmhouse is no longer a farm. It was once the home of Harry H. Corbett, a television children's entertainer who performed with a glove puppet named Sooty.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, English Cottages, Music and Television, Homes of the Famous, Dorset, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

A walk down the lane opposite to the exit from the footpath, in the direction of Shillingstone reveals more cottages.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, English Cottages, Buildings and Structures, English Autumn, Dorset, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford, Cosy Cottages

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

Another traditional cottage. This time with a tiled roof and flint-panel walls. This is situated next to the kissing gate that leads down to a junction of two lanes.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, English Cottages, Buildings and Structures, Trees and Woodlands, Dorset, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

2 people have added this picture to their favourites

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

Over the opposite stile on the drive with the Churchyard to your right, brings you down a sloping meadow. Another right turn towards a kissing gate gives this view of the Church back up the hill.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, Churches, English Countryside, Village Scenes, Trees and Woodlands, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford, English Summer Meadows

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

A few steps back to the driveway with a view along the footpath which crosses the top of the village.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, Buildings and Structures, English Cottages, English Countryside, Trees and Woodlands, Village Scenes, English Autumn, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

After leaving the Churchyard a right turn brings you to a footpath which crosses the driveway. Over the left-hand stile is a good view of Hambledon Hill, with its ancient iron age earthworks.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, Ancient England, English Countryside, Village Scenes, Wildlife in England, Trees and Woodlands, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford, Sheep may safely graze

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

The Church is similar in appearance to it's counterpart in Shillingstone and merits a closer inspection.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, Buildings and Structures, Churches, Village Scenes, Trees and Woodlands, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford, The Road Less Travelled

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

4 people have added this picture to their favourites

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

The Village Cross, also in the village centre stands at the entrance to a driveway which leads to the Church and The Manor House beyond.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, Ancient England, Buildings and Structures, Village Scenes, Remembrance, Trees and Woodlands, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

One of two pubs in the village, is situated in the village centre.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, Buildings and Structures, Pubs And Inns, Village Scenes, Trees and Woodlands, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

A good example of a tasteful renovation project next to a traditional thatch.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, Buildings and Structures, English Cottages, Village Scenes, Flora, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

1 person has added this picture to their favourites

Buy photo

Child Okeford, Dorset

On approaching Child Okeford, the earthworks of the iron age fort on Hambledon Hill are clearly visible.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Child Okeford, Dorset, Ancient England, English Countryside, Buildings and Structures, Trees and Woodlands, A Circular Walk from Shillingstone to Child Okeford

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL

Buy photo