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Abbotsbury Hill Fort |
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Abbotsbury beach car park |
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Abbotsbury beach car park |
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5 miles (8km) |
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Moderate/Difficult |
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The route follows the back of Chesil Bank and the South Dorset Ridgeway. It is generally flat with one long climb. |
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Yes
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No
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- The walk starts following the South West Coast Path westwards from the car park at Abbotsbury Beach. In spring and summer Chesil’s flowers burst into colour, with Sea Kale, Mallow, Sea Campion, Thrift and the gloriously named Yellow-horned Poppy joining, with many others, in the show. So don’t forget to bring along a flower book!
- After leaving the beach the walk climbs up to the Inland Coast Path and follows the ridgeway back in the direction of Abbotsbury. It crosses Abbotsbury Hill Fort, an Iron Age fortification constructed by the tribe who lived in this area before the Roman invasion in 43/44AD. From Wears Hill there are views along the Jurassic Coast that are often described as being the best in Dorset. The South Dorset Ridgeway is also studded with one of the highest concentrations of ancient burial mounds in the country and is often described as a ‘ceremonial landscape.’
- The route then descends down Blind Lane, an ancient trackway dating from Abbotsbury’s monastic past. The red Abbotsbury Ironstone now forms the soils (now there’s a story, but not room to tell you about it here) and the track enters the beautiful village of Abbotsbury. So named because of the huge monastery that once stood here, you can explore the village or perhaps buy refreshments from the various inns, tearooms or shops.
- You could also start and finish this walk from here in Abbotsbury.
- The walk then skirts around the edge of St. Catherine’s Hill with its stone chapel before returning to the car park at Abbotsbury Beach.
- Other attractions around the village include the world famous Abbotsbury Swannery, the Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens and the Children’s Farm in the old monastic Tithe Barn.
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The Jurassic Bus Coastline X53 runs every two hours between Bridport and Weymouth and stops in Abbotsbury; if arriving by bus the walk can be started from the village. For details visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.
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Abbotsbury Beach car park (including disabled facilities) and Abbotsbury village |
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Abbotsbury Beach Car Park (charge applies)
Postcode for Sat Nav's DT3 4LA |
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Café in car park (seasonal); tearooms, pubs and shops in Abbotsbury |
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Tourist Information Centres at Bridport (01308 424901) and Weymouth (01305 785747).
The Abbotsbury Round Walks pack, produced by the Dorset Countryside Rangers, contains full details of this and three other walks in the countryside around the beautiful village of Abbotsbury. Copies can be obtained for £1.75 by phoning 01305 224380.
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OL15 |
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St Catherine's Chapel, Abbotsbury. Photographer Caroline Shipsey.
 Burton Bradstock- Distance: 2 miles (3km)
- Walk description: An easy going walk with spectacular clifftop views across Lyme Bay, before descending into one of Dorset’s oldest and most beautiful villages.
- View details »
Theresa Santos
(04/05/2010)
Ana
(11/08/2009)
Dave & Tina Ogden
(12/01/2009)
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Isle of Portland circuit – part 1
Isle of Portland circuit – part 2 
