Dancing Ledge & Durlston Head from Langton Matravers

Jurassic Coast Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

This walk from Manton Matravers (Dorset) explores a beautiful stretch of the Jurassic Coast by following a section of the South West Coast Path. The route includes Dancing Ledge, Blackers Hole, Durlston Head and Castle. The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site selected for its fossils, geology, and natural landforms.

The walk starts from the Spyway car park (grid ref. SY997783). The car park is signed from the High Street in Langton Matravers and is approached down a narrow lane (Durnford Drove). After parking, follow the clear track towards the sea. Continue ahead at the junction and follow the path past Spyway Barn. Continue to reach the coast and South West Coast Path at Dancing Ledge (grid ref. SY997770).

Turn left with sea to your right. You can make a short diversion to Dancing Ledge by crossing a stile. You now have four kilometres of wonderful walking along the coast to Durlston Head. Along the way you pass Anvil Point lighthouse and the Tilly Whim Caves. As you get close to Durlston Head you pass the limestone Globe and Durlston Castle before reaching the headland. Leave the South West Coast Path and continue along the path signed 'Woodland Wildlife' and turn left on a tarmac drive (grid ref. SZ033773).

Reaching a gate (grid ref. SZ031772) veer right off the tarmac drive to follow a grassy path. The path soon forks. Bear right and continue west to pass through a gate (grid ref. SZ027772). Keep ahead along a path which keeps to the high ground keeping the wall on your right. After a kilometre you reach a wall corner (grid ref. SZ018771). Continue along the path which runs parallel to a wall on your right. After 200 you reach the end of this wall. Turn right and follow the path inland with wall on your right.

The path soon joins a track from a stone quarry. Follow this track north for a kilometre to reach a cross track before Belle Vue Farm (grid ref. SZ015782). Turn left and continue for 600 metres. Continue past a barn on your right to a T-junction. Turn left and follow the track around a right-hand bend to pass more barns on your right. %00 metres beyond these barns the track forks. Bear right here and shortly after at the next junction, bear right again. Continue along this track back to the start.

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