Spectacular views from the highest point in the Isle of Purbeck. Includes Kimmeridge Bay & the Landmark Trust’s Clavell Tower
Duration: 3 hrs
Distance: 11.1 kms (6.9 miles)
Total Ascent: 350m
Difficulty: Moderate
From Swanage take the A351 to Corfe and on the outskirts of the town take the left hand fork B3069 to Langton Matravars and Kingston. In Kingston go straight on at the sharp right hand bend by the Scott Arms pub and keeping right all the way continue to the free Swyre Head car park.
At the far end of the car park take the footpath through the gate and head across the field converging with the tree line on your right. As you follow the footpath views will open up onto the Encombe House Estate. Continue to Swyre Head, from where you can enjoy spectacular 360 degree views across the Isle of Purbeck. Head past the Trig point to another gate / stile that leads you along the ridge, past Heaven’s Gate, and with Weymouth Bay and the cliffs of Lulworth and beyond opening up before you. Continue along the ridge and after a steepish descent turn left on to a minor road which in turn meets the Kimmeridge Road. Opposite the T-junction you will see two gates / stiles – take the left one and head down the grassy slope towards the village of Kimmeridge, passing through the churchyard. Places of interest in the village include the recently opened The Etches Collection of locally found fossils, the largest collection of Late Jurassic fossils found by one man. Opposite the museum is the Clavell’s Restaurant for meals, coffee stop etc.
As you exit the churchyard turn right and at the end of the lane enter the field, taking the footpath that heads to the south side of the Kimmeridge Coppice. Next take the left fork footpath that heads to the small stream and follow it down in the direction of Kimmeridge Bay, popular with families and fossil spotters. Upon reaching a minor road turn left and you will shortly be in the Kimmeridge Bay car park.
Pick up the South West Coast Path and start heading in the direction of Clavell Tower, visible on the eastern promontory of Kimmeridge Bay. From here the footpath runs along the top of the cliff with views down on to the Kimmeridge wave-cut platform ledges. After about 2km as you drop down Rope Lake Head look out for the permissive path and stile that takes you back up to Swyre Head. Note that this path is not way marked like a footpath, but it it is well trodden and easy to follow. Note also that towards the end it is steep. At the top cross the stile and you are back at Swyre Head where you can retrace your steps back to the car park.
The White House - Swanage 