Section: Worth Matravers to South Haven Point

Length: 15 miles (24km)

Distance from Minehead to Worth Matravers (nr. Chapmans Pool): 618 miles (988.9km)

Distance from South Haven Point to Poole: 0 miles (0km)!

Grading: Moderate.

Height gained (and also lost): 2340ft (715m) ascent, 3540ft (775m) descent.

Summary:

Leave the pretty village of Worth Matravers and the breathtaking views from St Aldhelm’s Head to set off along the final stretch of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, and what is actually the last leg of the 630 mile South West Coast Path. High, level cliff walking between St Aldhelm’s Head and Durlston Head is followed by fairly easy walking along the promenade of the seaside town of Swanage.

As you walk through open grassland and woodland around Studland, keep a look out for bottlenose dolphins and take time to enjoy the beautiful seasonal wildflowers and butterflies and the spectacular views of the chalk stacks of Old Harry. Three miles of sandy beaches running all the way to South Haven Point offer plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the views across Poole Bay to Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. A steel sculpture marks the end of your journey and the end of the South West Coast Path.

Highlights along the path:

• The high outcrop of St Aldhelm’s Head, also known as St Alban’s Head: The Norman chapel of St Aldhelm is one of the oldest churches in England and was named after the Bishop of Sherbourne who died in 709AD. The chapel was built quite some way from Worth Matravers which suggests that it was also intended to serve as a marker for seafarers. Near here you will also see the contrasting structures of the National Coastguard lookout and a memorial to the radar research which took place on St Aldhelm’s Head during WWII.
• The beautiful patterns in the fields left by the medieval strip lynchets.
• Looking out for seabirds: These sheer cliffs are visited by many nesting seabirds, including razorbills, guillemots and puffins and you may also see kittiwakes, cormorants and fulmars.
• Headbury Quarry: As you peer down you should be able to see a cannon mounted on a stone plinth. This is thought to be from the wreck of the Halsewell, which was on its way to India when it was driven against the rocks in a storm in 1786.
• Clambering down to Dancing Ledge for a swim. It is unclear exactly where the name came from, however some say the ledge, which was left behind after quarrying, was the size of a dance floor.
• Anvil Point Lighthouse: Completed in 1881, the lighthouse is open for guided tours and can be rented as holiday accommodation. For further details see Trinity House.
• Just beyond Tilly Whim Caves, look out for the most easterly colony of Guillemots on the south coast. Live pictures of the colony can be seen at the Durlston Visitor Centre in spring and summer and at Durlston Country Park.
• Impressive views of Durlston Castle, which is soon to be home to the Jurassic Coast Visitor Centre. Durlston Country Park is full of banks of glorious flowers during the spring and summer months.
• The Great Globe: This large sculpture, created by George Burt, illustrates the Victorian view of the world and was made from 40 tonnes of Portland limestone.
• The small seaside town of Swanage: The town was once an important quarrying port, as well as a popular destination for tourists, and now continues to attract many visitors. Home to Britain’s oldest diving school, an attractive Victorian Pier, and the Wellington Clock Tower which, up until 1867, stood at the southern end of London Bridge, Swanage makes an interesting place to stop for refreshments.
• Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks: These striking chalk stacks and natural arches were created by wave erosion and were once part of the chalk ridge which led right out to the Isle of Wight. Keep a look out for nesting seabirds and the beautiful Chalkhill Blue and Adonis Blue butterflies enjoying the chalk-loving plants of Ballard Down. The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site ends just beyond these rocks.
• Keeping a look out for dolphins.
• The interesting mix of Norman and Saxon architecture in the church of St Nicholas in Studland village.
• Studland Heath National Nature Reserve: The heathland behind the 3 miles of golden sandy beaches leading to South Haven Point, is rich with wildlife, including beautiful birds such as nightjars and Dartford Warblers, reptiles and wildflowers. The Smooth Snake and Sand Lizard are two of Britain’s rarest reptiles and they thrive here, along with the poisonous adder. If you don’t want to walk all the way on the beach and would rather avoid the naturist area, you can pick up the National Trust’s Heather Walk through the dunes.
• Arriving at the steel commemorative sculpture at South Haven Point and, if you originally set off from Minehead, the enormous sense of achievement on completing the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path. The sculpture is based on a design by David Mayne, which depicts many features of this fantastic National Trail.

Worth a look (interesting places close to the path):

• Listen to dolphins and learn more about the geology and wildlife of Purbeck at the Durlston Country Park Information Centre.
For details tel: 01929 424443
• Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre, tel: 01929 423174.
• Take a steam train from Swanage to visit the 1000 year old Corfe Castle. For details tel: 01929 425800 or see Swanage Railway, and see The National Trust website.
• Take a boat trip from Sandbanks to Brownsea Island. Tel: 01929 462383 or see Brownsea Island Ferries

Shorter option:

Stop at Swanage (7.5 miles shorter).

Longer option:

Turn around and head back towards Minehead, and see what you missed first time around!

Public transport info:

From Worth Matravers you can take the number 44 bus service to Swanage, and there are trains and buses from here to Wareham, Poole and Dorchester. The regular number 50 bus service runs between Swanage, Poole and Bournemouth and stops in Studland village and Shell Bay. The ferry from Shell Bay to Sandbanks runs daily throughout the year, leaving at 0710 then 30, 50 and 10 minutes after each hour until 2310. For further details tel: 01929 450203 or see Sandbanks Ferry. For further details visit Traveline or phone 0870 6082608.

Refreshments:

There are a few facilities in the village of Worth Matravers and, further on, a cafe, bar and restaurant at Durlston Country Park. Swanage has a number of restaurants, shops, pubs and cafes. Establishments that serve local produce include the Big Barn member The Lobster Pot Beach Cafe. Additional refreshments can be found around Studland.

Nearest Car park:

Worth Matravers, Durlston Head, Swanage and Studland.

Toilets:

Worth Matravers, Durlston Head, Swanage, Studland and South Haven Point.

More information:

Swanage Tourist Information Centre Tel: 0870 4420680, Durlston Country Park Information Centre Tel: 01929 424443 and Poole Tourist Information Centre. Tel: 01202 253253 To find out more visit the Jurassic Coast website.

Booklets available: A 64 page guidebook to ‘A Walk through Time’ is available from local Tourist Information Centres or can be purchased online from the South West Coast Path Association webshop for £4.95.

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