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 County Council, Borough of Poole and Hampshire County Council with support from other organisations.
Castleman Trailway, West Moors to Avon Valley section
Dogs welcome off lead dog bin car park public transport
West Moors, St Leonards & St.Ives, East Dorset.
Grid refs: Avon Valley Car Park SU 139 049,
Horton Rd SU 132 050; Arnold Close SU 081 031.
A 6km section of old railway line, owned by Dorset County Council and managed by Dorset Countryside Ranger Service. It is a permissive path, not a dedicated public right of way. Essentially it is a woodland corridor which passes over the King Stream and West Moors River. There are views onto Lions Hill SSSI Heathland and into Westmoors SSSI. It passes by West Moors Plantation and Ringwood Forest with dedicated links to both Moors Valley and Avon Heath Country Parks.
As this part of the Castleman Trailway is open to walkers, cyclists and equestrians the Rangers who look after the Trailway ask that dog walkers: Please keep dog under close control; Please clean up after your dog; Never cycle with your dog on the lead.
You will find dog bins at:
Arnold Close – Westmoors entrance
Grosvenor Close entrance – Ashley Heath
close to Horton Rd (Western side), Ashley Heath
Avon Valley car park off Hurn Lane