Walking Britain Dorset Walk
Purbeck Coast from Swanage
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL15 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL15 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 195 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 195 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
From Swanage harbour follow signs to Durlston Country Park (Grid ref. SZ035773). From the car park walk to Durlston Head Castle to see the Great Globe weighing 40 tons which is a testament to the mason's art. Follow the path to Tilly Whim Caves and Anvil Point Lighthouse.
Continue along the coast path, enjoying the superb views on the way to Dancing Ledge (Grid ref. SY998769), which is a good picnic spot. There was quarrying of Purbeck Stone all along this coast. At Dancing Ledge there is also a small swimming pool blasted out of the rocks. The spot is also very popular with climbers.
Continue along the coast path past quarries at Seacombe Cliff (Grid ref. SY985766) and Winspit (Grid ref. SY977761). These are also good picnic spots and great places to watch the sea crash against the cliffs on stormy days. Turn inland at Winspit on the path to Worth Matravers (Grid ref. SY975775). This was a quarrying village hence the name of the pub -'The Square and Compass'.
Take the Langton Matravers road out of the village and after about 400 metres turn right onto the path known as the 'Priest's Way'. This route gives you some good examples of Purbeck Stone quarries. Follow this to near Belle Vue Farm (Grid ref. SZ016783) then turn south on the track leading back to the coast. When you reach the steep slope down to the sea you will see a path crossing ahead (Grid ref. SZ016772). Turn left (east) onto this path which heads back across Round Down towards Anvil Point picking up the main path back to the Durlston Country Park car park.
Other walks nearby
Walk 3286 Dancing Ledge & Durlston Head from Langton Matravers - easy/mod - 7.0 miles/11.4 km
Walk 1634 Old Harry & Ballard Down from Studland - easy/mod - 5.3 miles/8.6 km
Walk 3396 Agglestone & Old Harry Rocks from Studland - easy/mod - 6.4 miles/10.4 km
Walk 2925 St Aldhelm's Head near Worth Matravers - easy - 4.1 miles/6.7 km
Walk 1613 Studland and Old Harry Rocks from Sheel Bay - easy/mod - 8.5 miles/13.8 km
Walk 1331 Tyneham from Kimmeridge - easy/mod - 6.8 miles/11 km
Walk 1534 Swyre Head & Tyneham Cap from Kimmeridge - moderate - 11.8 miles/19.1 km
Walk 2568 Egmont Point & Kimmeridge Bay from Tyneham - moderate - 14.0 miles/22.8 km
Walk 1533 Gad Cliff & Povington Hill from Tyneham - easy/mod - 4.5 miles/7.3 km
Walk 1004 Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door - easy - 2.5 miles/4.1 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
The South West Coast Path
Guidebook to walking the entire South West Coast Path National Trail. The route runs for 630 miles from Minehead to Poole along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Divided into 45 stages, this long-distance coastal trek could be completed within 4 weeks, or walked in sections. Guide includes maps and essential information.
More information
Walking the Jurassic Coast
This guidebook includes 30 walks on the Jurassic Coast of Devon and Dorset. Covering the coast between Exmouth and Bournemouth, these delightful routes range from 3 to 16 miles (5 to 24km), exploring and explaining the spectacular geology of this World Heritage area with clear, easily understood descriptions, cross-sections and timelines.
More information
Map and Compass
An instructive guidebook explaining map and compass techniques, to help readers enhance their outdoor experiences. Whether you are experienced in map-reading, or have never used a compass before, this guidebook will sharpen your skills and have you exploring new areas in no time. There are also tips for GPS and digital mapping technologies.
More information
