Kingston - Kimmeridge - Swyre Head

Swyre Head

Our original plan was to walk from Worth Maltravers down to and along the coast, but we discovered an advertised walk taking place there this morning and decided to change our plans in order to avoid being part of - or being overwhelmed by - a large group of walkers. We are not really all that sociable!
This walk begins just outside the pretty village of Kingston at the entrance to Encombe House, a large privately-owned 18th century mansion in the style of Vanbrugh.

You continue up the narrow road from the village as it becomes a track and turn right along the Ridgeway. Unfortunately, we ignored several slight mismatches between the the directions and the terrain and turned right slightly too soon - adding about 2 miles to the route by the time we had realised our error and taken corrective action. Oh dear!

You then walk along a road and down a grassy bank to enter the village of Kimmeridge, enjoying fine views over the small church, with the coast beyond.

The church, which just consists of a nave with a porch, dates from 1872, although the doorway is Norman.You walk through the village, with its thatched cottages, and follow a path through fields down to Kimmeridge Bay.

You then join the South West Coastal Path to climb the cliff past the Clavell Tower.

This splendid folly dates from about 1820 and was spectacularly dismantled in 2005 and moved 80 ft away from the cliff edge because erosion of the cliff was threatening its survival. It is now owned by the Landmark Trust and available as a two-bedroomed holiday let.

You now follow the coastal path for a mile and half to Rope Lake Head. The path was very muddy and this was a hard struggle. The views were rewarding though and we were impressed to see a couple of groups of hardy intrepid surfers trying to ride the incoming tide.

Just after Rope Lake Head you cross a stile to head inland to the highest point on the Purbecks - 203m. It is a steep climb, made harder by the slippery mud. We were glad when we reached the top! There were some great views though back towards Kimmeridge Bay, with the Clavell Tower visible in the foreground and Portland Bill on the horizon.

It was now just a short stroll downhill across grassland back to the start point. There were more fine views over the next section of coast towards Egmont Point, with Chapman's Pool just beyond.

Distance: 6.2 miles (or well over 8 in our case).

Map: Explorer OL15 (Purbeck and South Dorset).

From: Walkingworld [ID 4787].

Conditions: 4 degrees C, very muddy underfoot in places.

Rating: four stars.