🥾 Walk 177 - Swanage, Corfe Castle and Coastal Path

It was a glorious summer's day on Saturday 8th August in Swanage when Greg led us on a 16 mile walk from Swanage to Corfe Castle on the Purbeck Way, then cross country to Worth Matravers and back to Swanage on the South West Coastal Path. The sky was blue with next to no wind and the temperature was already around 22°C before we started the walk at 10am.

Rather disappointingly there were only three of us on this walk, which started from Swanage North Beech car park and headed off northwards by road to Ulwell, where we joined the Purbeck Way. We headed west, up a steep chalk path onto Nine Barrow Down, which gave splendid views over Swanage and the surounding countryside.

We were starting to feel rather hot after our ascent and we weren't the only ones. The sheep were looking for shade under the few trees on the ridgeway.

Taking a slight diversion from the Purbeck Way, we stood on top of some of the barrows to gain a clear view of Poole harbour and Brownsea Island. Back on the path, we continued on to Corfe Castle and where we stopped off at a picnic area in the grounds of Corfe Castle railway station.

This beautifully restored railway station runs a regular service to Swanage using steam engines during the summer months. After our picnic, we had a quick wander around the railway station and watched a steam train pull in before we continued with the walk.

We headed south through the village and on to Corfe Common where we joined a branch of the Purbeck Way that headed south, up and down through farmland and eventually to the coast. At Swanworth Stone Quarry, we diverted from the Purbeck Way to visit the Square and Compass pub in Worth Matravers for much needed refreshments.

After having a nice cool drink in the pub garden and watching the various different breeds of chicken wandering around the grounds, we refilled our water bottles and continued on our way. Following a footpath from Worth Matravers to Seacombe Cliff, we joined the South West Coast Path, heading east.

There were more ups and downs as the path followed the Jurassic cliff edges. We passed Dancing Ledge, a flat area of rock at the base of a small cliff, which a number of people had scrambled down to and were enjoying the sun, sea and stones.

Next passing Blackers Hole, Anvil Point and Tilly Whim Caves, we made our way to Durlston Head. The path wrapped around it and then headed north, high up above Durlston Bay. This gave good views of Bournemouth and even the Isle of Wight, as well as the nearby Peveril Point. We left the coastal path before reaching Peveril Point and headed straight into Swanage by road, reaching the sea front at about 4:30pm.

Arriving in a crowded Swanage, filled with holiday makers enjoying the surprisingly good weather, we decided to join in by getting some ice creams and sitting on the beach.

During this sixteen mile walk we had walked up a total of 900m (2900ft) of ascents, and our legs knew it. Nonetheless, it was worth all the ups and downs for the spectacular views we'd enjoyed. See our route on Bing Maps.

Greg says that he will lead this walk again on Saturday 30th July next year, followed by a shorter walk around Old Harry Rocks on Sunday 31st July. (See the Holidays Page for more details.)

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