Maiden Castle is the largest Iron Age hill fort in Britain and lies just outside Dorchester. It is owned by English Heritage but entrance is free, so is the car park. This short Maiden Castle Walk is an easy stroll around the banks and ditches of the hill fort offering beautiful views of rolling south Dorchester countryside.
Distance: 1.9 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 1 hour
Date of walk: 31 August 2022
![Maiden Castle Walk map](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/maiden-castle-dorchester-walk-map-02-1024x786.jpg)
Base map © OpenStreetMap created in Outdooractive App
![Maiden Castle Map (zoomed in to show route of circular 1.9 mile walk)](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/maiden-castle-dorchester-walk-map-01-1024x928.jpg)
Base map © OpenStreetMap created in Outdooractive App
Route Map and GPS Navigation
https://www.outdooractive.com/
Route Description and Photos
This short walk starts at the English Heritage car park next to the hill fort (free parking). There are no facilities at the car park or on site. Postcode DT2 9PP Google map
I would suggest walking up the well-marked path to the right of the car park and entering Maiden Castle by the main Western Entrance which is the original Iron Age entrance. After that you are pretty much free to explore this ancient hill fort and enjoy the views.
The grassy site is home to many sheep so, dog-walkers, please keep your dog on a lead and under control particularly during the lambing season.
![Information board about Maiden Castle by English Heritage with path towards the hill fort leading up in the background](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-03.jpg)
![View from the car park towards the path to the western entrance](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-01.jpg)
![Welcome to Maiden Castle information board provided by English Heritage at the start of the path from the car park](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-02.jpg)
![walking up to Maiden Castle](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-04.jpg)
![Looking back at Maiden Castle car park which is free](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-05.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-06.jpg)
![Western entrance information board by English Heritage](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-07.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-08.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-09.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-10.jpg)
![Views of the castle's banks and ditches showing an alternative path from the car park](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-13.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-12.jpg)
![views north towards Poundbury and west Dorchester](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-11.jpg)
![English Heritage information about the eastern entrance](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-15.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-14.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-17.jpg)
![information about Maiden Castle war cemetery by English Heritage](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-16.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-18.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-19.jpg)
![](https://www.dorsetwalks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220831-maiden-castle-20.jpg)