Zig Zag Tour of 3 counties Spring of 2020
The original idea was a drive of the many hairpins known as Zig Zag Hill that’s a mini alpine climb, it’s very steep, a One in Ten hill on the Downs on the edge of Somerset/Dorset. This trip has now blossomed into a trip along a famous old military road in the only county that does not have a motorway...Dorset. Whilst it is not exactly a dead straight road it’s close in places and offers rewarding driving across a part of England that's locked in the past and still has a lovely pace, with a few single passing places along the route.
The proposed tour starts at Mudeford Beach near Christchurch on the south coast at Avon Beach with a early breakfast at the Noisy Lobster Restaurant overlooking the Three Needles and the Isle of Wight. There is large car park right next to the restaurant.
Next a classic drive up the iconic B3081 to Bruton. Bruton reminds me of a mini Lewes in East Sussex a lovely old market town. Bruton is close to Stourhead (home of the famous gardens) near Mere. Then a return back via, Wincanton, Shaftesbury, a Saxon hill top town famous for the Hovis bread adverts, and then to a Ringwood, on the edge of the New Forest ending back at Christchurch, finishing at the highly regarded restaurant called The Jetty, which is part of the Sunday Times rated top ten coastal hotels in UK, the Christchurch Hotel and Spa at Mudeford.
The highlight of the trip is a drive both up and down the Zig Zag Hill. It’s a 10% hill. It’s said to be the windiest one mile stretch of road in Great Britain. Zig Zag Hill is like a concentrated hit of Alpine driving. It lasts for just one mile, but one could be forgiven for believing you are ascending/descending the Col de Turini. It’s located near Catt Common with breathtaking views over Somerset and the English rolling countryside of Cranborne Chase.
The trip up to Bruton in Somerset from Mudeford is some 45 miles long. It will take around one hour 15 minutes to perhaps 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the volume of traffic. We will pit-stop at Roth Bar and Grill on the outskirts of Bruton. This eatery is part of Hauser and Wirth, the famous London art gallery owners. This has become a mecca in the area and hosts a wonderful herb, vegetable and flower garden with a gastronomic bistro. Plenty of parking and good for a coffee and a biscuit or croissant around 11 am.
Next up on the return leg to back to Mudeford we will stop at the quaint village of Tollard Royal at the famous pub called the ‘King John Inn’ in the heart of this lovely Wiltshire village. It was a Good Pub Group winner in 2016.
A little further down the road back into Dorset is the Drovers Inn at Gussage All Saints. This is a classic pub that was a finalist as a Community Pub in 2017. Another good excuse for a coffee break.
Then back on the B3081 to return via Ringwood to Mudeford. Mudeford was a key port in Roman times. A popular tourist venue. It’s now famous for its beach huts that go for £250k a pop.
I have arranged a lunch at The Jetty (part of Christchurch Hotel and Spa) again with spectacular views out over the English Channel to the Isle of White and the Needles in the far distance. We need to be back for 2pm. Lunch is booked for 14:15.
Some may wish to stay overnight (ahead of the trip) locally to avoid an early start. Others may not mind an early start to get down to Mudeford.
My thinking here is the ladies might enjoy a session at the Spa in the morning of the drive, rather than go with the boys on the trip. They can enjoy a get together in advance of the lunch at The Jetty which is very close to the Spa on the waters-edge.
At the bottom of the page are links to places suggested
Suggested Itinerary and estimated timings
8:30 Rendezvous at Noisy Lobster, Avon Beach, Mudeford Beach
9:45 Leave for Bruton, Somerset via B3081
11:00 Arrive Bruton
11:15 Roth Bar and Grill, Bruton
11:45 Depart for Tollard Royal King John Inn
12:15 Arrive King John
12:45 Leave King John for Drovers Inn
12:55 Arrive Drovers Inn
13:15 Leave Drovers Inn
14:00 Arrive The Jetty, Mudeford for Lunch