Walk 2925 - printer friendly version

St Aldhelm's Head near Worth Matravers Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.1 miles / 6.7 km

Ascent - 600 feet / 182 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference SY964773
Lat 50.5954140 + Long -2.0522218
Postcode BH19 3LL (approx. location only)

This walk in Dorset's Isle of Purbeck includes an attractive section of coastal footpath along the limestone cliffs. In the past extensive quarrying of this rock was a major source of local employment and saw extensive use in major buildings through the British Isles. The start is a small carpark located just south of Renscombe Farm at grid ref. SY964773, which lies a mile or so west of the village of Worth Matravers.

To start the walk, exit the car park and take the signed footpath opposite. This leads across a large field with the hedge-line to your immediate left. Bear to the left around Weston Farm (grid ref. SY968773) to a lane. Bear right along the lane and after turn right down a lane with houses to your right. The lane soon bears left and then right before taking a meandering course down to the sea (grid ref. SY976761).

Turn left on to the South West Coast Path. This follows the top of the cliffs and takes you to St Aldhelm's Head where you can visit the former Coastguard Station. Continue along the South West Coast Path as it turns north. The path soon descends into a deep valley before climbing up onto the cliff tops. The views down to your left include the bay of Chapman's Pool with the Purbeck cliffs continuing westwards. Reaching a footpath junction (grid ref. SY959772) turn right signed to Renscombe. This leads back to the car park.

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