A short walk along the footpath that runs behind Merry Hill Barn takes you to the pretty village of Portesham with its resident ducks and an excellent friendly dining pub, The King’s Arms, which serves locally sourced food and cask ales. Portesham is also home to Duck’s Farm Shop and cafe providing fabulous local Dorset produce and a local delivery service.

An imposing monument to Admiral Hardy, Vice-Admiral of the Navy and Captain of Nelson’s flagship stands on Blackdown Hill, above Portesham,  with awe inspiring views of the Dorset countryside and out to sea, on a clear day, you can see the Isle of Wight. There are some lovely walks up here where gentle Belted Galloway cattle roam freely to control the gorse.