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An easy walk that takes you from Studland to the famous landmark of Old Harry – the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. There are spectacular views towards the Isle of Wight and of the offshore chalk stacks at Old Harry, good opportunities for bird and butterfly watching and a rich variety of wild flowers in spring and summer.

Walk past the Bankes Arms, the name of which acts as a reminder that much of the area was part of the Kingston Lacey and Corfe Castle estate – left to the National Trust by Ralph Bankes in 1982. Take the path on the left (signed with a Dorset ‘tombstone’ Coast Path sign) when you reach the public toilets.

The route now takes you along the coast through fields that the Trust has returned to pasture after years of cultivation. The underlying chalk provides the right conditions for many of our most attractive wild flowers – these now carpet the ground throughout the spring and summer and attract plenty of butterflies. Some are migrants which have reached the south coast from the continent – look out especially for red admirals, painted ladies and clouded yellows.

Contrast the open grassland with two small woods – Warren Wood close to Studland and Studland Wood just before Handfast Point. These are both traditionally managed hazel coppice, sections of which are cut down to ground level every few years. The harvested poles can be used for fencing and hurdles, while the combination of open and shaded areas makes for a healthy ground cover of woodland flowers including wild garlic.

Looking back towards Studland you will see the impressive sweep of Studland Bay leading up to the busy entrance of Poole Harbour.

At Handfast Point you can look across to the Isle of Wight and contemplate the fact that the two were once joined by a continuous ridge of chalk. This was breached by the sea as sea levels changed during the last Ice Age. Old Harry and the other offshore stacks here are evidence of the continuing processes of coastal erosion. The sea has eroded weaker spots in the chalk to form arches which gradually get bigger until they eventually collapse and leave a seaward pillar as an isolated stack.

The 200’ cliffs are home to many seabirds – the largest cormorant colony in Dorset, fulmars and the great black-backed gull can be seen all year. You may also glimpse a peregrine falcon, and in summer, house martins nest on the cliffs.

You can now retrace your steps to Studland or extend the walk to a circular route of about 3½ miles by continuing along the Coast Path from Old Harry to Ballard Down. You then take the ridge top path until you reach a fingerpost and stone seat. Turn right here and follow the track down past Glebeland Estate and Manor Farm and back into Studland village.