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A warm and bright weekend is a great chance to enjoy the Purbeck Coastal path and the stunning South Purbeck coastal landscape. The section between Swanage and Worth Matravers is a moderately easy walk which takes about 3 to 4 hours. Setting off reasonably early means you can reach the Square & Compass by lunch time, or even the Scott Arms in Kingston, before walking back to Swanage along the Priests Way.

Purbeck Coast

The walk affords an excellent opportunities to see the wildlife and scenery of this part of Dorset as well as enjoy a swim at Winsplit or Dancing Ledge along the way. It is also an chance to admire the strength and agility of the climbers who use the cliffs as well as those who kayak along the coast.

Purbeck Wildlife

The walk starts in Swanage near Swanage Pier and is clearly signposted for most of the way. From here a path heads up around the yacht club and follows the coast up above Swanage. The path goes through a park but in the other side joins a road and then bears left onto the road to Durlston Country Park. Keep an eye out for the path on the left of the road which you turn onto where the road goes into a dip. Follow this woodland path (called the Isle of Wight Road) along the coast till to reach the edge of Durlston Country Park. The path splits here and you can stick to the coast and follow the path past the lighthouse or go through the car park and take the higher path which is a little shorter. [There are currently building works at Durlston Country Park so follow diversions]

On the other side of Durlston Country park the two paths join and this coastal path hugs the coast line. You will see a number of small bays and many can be accessed by small side paths. However, please be careful as there are sometimes steep drops and cliff edges.

After a couple of hours or less you will reach the bay of Winspit which is located below the village of Worth Matravers. Here you can leave the coastal path and follow another path inland to the village. The Square and Compass public house is located just up the hill from the Worth Matravers village pond where a hearty lunch of a pie and a pint can be enjoyed in the sunny garden or the homely and rustic interior.

Walking back to Swanage is either done by retracing one’s steps or by taking the inland Priests Way. To get onto the Priests Way follow the road towards Swanage from outside the Square and Compass and up out of the village until you are beyond the houses. After another 50 or 60 meters take the footpath on the right which crosses diagonally across a field. Cross this field and the next and then follow the track past a farm house (on the right) on the way to Acton.  This track is known as the Priests Way and can be followed all the way to the outskirts of Swanage.