Posts Tagged ‘Dorset’

Worth Matravers Dorset

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
Worth Matravers Dorset

The pretty little village of Worth Matravers in Dorset is a wonderful holiday destination for those looking for a peaceful coastal location along the world famous Jurassic Coast.

Worth Matravers is a traditional village centred around the village pond with a historic stone church and stone houses made from local Purbeck limestone. The local public house (Square and Compass) is a centre for village life and local music and poetry.

For those interested in walking there are a number of excellent options from Worth Matravers either along the coastline to Swanage or Kimmeridge or inland towards Corfe Castle and along the Purbeck hills.

The coastline below Worth Matravers is a dramatic seaside location with a number of bays which are popular swimmers and those keen to explore the natural formations and history of smuggling and stone working which occurred nearby.

Some Walks from Worth Matravers

The Priests Way from Worth Matravers to Swanage is a lovely (a fairly direct) route to Swanage and Durlston and is well signposted from Worth Matravers. Follow the Priests Way all the way into the centre of Swanage. From Swanage you can decide how much longer you wish to walk.

Option 1 : Take the bus back to Worth Matravers

Option 2 : Take the steam train to Corfe Castle and then follow the footpath up to Kingston. Here there is a lovely public house (Scott Arms Public House Kingston) to stop for a drink with a view of Corfe Castle before taking the path towards Chapman’s Pool (be careful if you choose to visit the Bay as the path can be slippery) and then back via Hill Bottom and into Worth Matravers.

Option 3 : Go back to Durlston and follow the coastal path back as far as Winspit and then walk inland along the footpath signposted for Worth Matravers.

Once back in Worth Matravers it is worth visiting the Square and Compass to seek refreshment and pass on this walk and your experience of it to those looking for a good route for themselves.

Worth Matravers Links

Compass Cottage Worth Matravers

Speedwell Cottage Worth Matravers

Worth Matravers Holiday Cottages

There is separate Worth Matravers Holiday Cottage site - www.worthmatraverscottage.co.uk

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Purbeck Hills Walk from Corfe Castle to Swanage

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Corfe Castle Dorset

The hill top walk between Corfe Castle and purbeck/swanage/”title=”Swanage Cottage Dorset” >Swanage is a moderate walk but extremely rewarding. The views from the top of the Pubeck Hills are panoramic and full of natural beauty and for this reason many people make the effort.

The first of the great views comes from looking behind you as you climb up out of Corfe Castle and view the Castle and the village below. There is the illusion of flying over and looking down on the busy village centre, the steam railway and the people walking up to the castle.

Once at the very top of the hill you can look down the other side of the hill to where Studland and Poole are laid out before you. The bright blue harbour of Poole Harbour and the small Island of Brownsea Island are easily spotted. Studland with its long stretch of golden sand is to the right and beyond it is Bournemouth.

Tree growing on top of the Purbeck Hills

Windy?

A gently breeze is welcome when walking in summer but signs of the speeds the winds can reach is revealed by the trees which are angled as if pointing the direction of the prevailing force. They look as if they are continuously contending with a strong storm.

Purbeck Burial Mound

Burial Mound in Purbeck

As one reaches Swanage it is possible to see down the valley and across the town to the sea. There are some landmarks to look out for here including some ancient burial mounds and the obelisk. Both make good places of refection and a chance to lunch on which ever refreshments, pies, sandwiches and fruit you picked up in Corfe Castle of packed as a picnic.

The decent into Swanage along the loose chalky paths can be a little tricky because of the distracting views but you soon reach terra-more-firma as you descend.

The path brings you to the road and you must turn left to get to the centre of Swanage and paddle or swim on Swanage beach. You can catch the steam train back to Corfe Castle or enjoy the walk back the same way and enjoy the view in the other direction.

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