Every year Ride+Stride invites us to visit Dorset’s wonderful array of historic churches on foot, by bike or even on horseback.

Held on the second Saturday in September, this sponsored fundraiser is organised by Dorset Historic Churches Trust and has been held annually since 1991. Ride+Stride is the Trust’s main source of income, and over the last five years it’s raised nearly £100,000 from each event, which is then given in grants for restoration projects.

Almost all Dorset’s churches are listed as architectural and historic, and their upkeep often falls to a few dedicated people in each parish. The Trust is there to help when expensive building work is required. Participants walk, cycle or ride from church to church, starting and finishing wherever they wish. Here are 16 of Dorset’s most interesting and unusual churches you can visit during Ride+Stride, or indeed at any time.

A Glorious Tower Worth a Pilgrimage - St Mary of the Annunciation, Beaminster

Ha-Ha, Hussars and Hardy - Holy Trinity, Bincombe

Through the 16th century Keyhole - All Saints, Dewlish

St Eloi and the Horse's Leg - St Nicholas and St Eligius, Durweston

Influenced by Vanbrugh - St Wolfrida’s, Horton

Back from the Brink - St Eustace’s, Ibberton

Whistler’s Wonderful Windows - St Magnus the Martyr and St Nicholas of Myra, Moreton

Glorious Grotesque Gargoyles - All Saints, Piddletrenthide

One Church Built from Another - St George’s, Isle of Portland

Well Worth the Trek - St Mary the Virgin, Powerstock

A Treasure Trove of Architectural Styles - St Mary the Virgin, Puddletown

Fleeing Kings and Angels - St Andrew’s, Trent

An RAF Pilots Church - Holy Trinity, Warmwell

Thornhill’s Last Supper - St Mary’s, Weymouth

Visit the Shrine of Dorset’s Patron Saint - St Candida and the Holy Cross, Whitchurch Canonicorum

Wyverns and Eagles - St Lawrence’s Church, Wynford Eagle

Ride+Striders setting off from St Mary's, Sturminster Marshall during last year's event.Ride+Striders setting off from St Mary's, Sturminster Marshall during last year's event. (Image: Dorset Historic Churches Trust)

SIGN UP FOR RIDE+STRIDE 2024 

Support the work of Dorset Historic Churches Trust in protecting and restoring Dorset’s historic and architecturally important churches, fittings and monuments by either taking part, or sponsoring, Ride+Stride 2024 which takes place on Saturday, September 14. To register as a participant or to request a sponsorship form, or to donate, contact your Ride+Stride Parish Organiser or visit dhct.org.uk and follow the link to Ride+Stride.