Day 80 Corfe Castle to Swanage via Worth Matravers and the Coastpath

Our Route

We have done this walk before and even though it was just nine years ago neither of us had much recollection of doing it, except we could both recall where we had sat at the Square & Compass in Worth Matravers for a half-way drink.  This is a combination of two 1001 AA walks but it doesn’t help that the instructions are in the reverse direction! This time we have the Garmin to assist and we need it to navigate around Corfe before picking up the “official” route.

This first section is across more Dorset heathland and once again on Corfe Common there are ponies, though these look more domesticated and some even have coats! We make a brief re-acquaintance with the Hardy Way, but soon we are on the Purbeck Way and we shall follow this almost all the way to Worth Matravers. We stop to chat with some fellow walkers coming towards us – a vicar and her husband; who, new to walking, had taken it up during her sabbatical to get fit. Then it was on southwards to skirt the enormous Stanwith Quarries before the gentle climb into Worth Matravers. 

Spot the Fossil

We are spoilt for quirky pubs in Somerset, but this one is rather special. In the same family for many generations the low ceilinged building has serving hatches into the corridor which links the various rooms but on a sunny day we have found a sheltered spot and sit outside. It’s the only pub I know of with its own museum attached! This is a proper walker’s pub and although home made pasties are on offer we just have a drink before setting off once again to walk down the field path, observing some prominent strip lychetts as we head for the coast path and a picnic stop at Seacombe out of the cold wind and in a warm sunny spot.

Gateway to the Coastpath

Unlike much of the SW Coastpath this section in Dorset is relatively level and we can keep up a good pace as we head East, with interesting geological formations and industrial archaeology in the cliffs below us. In the past these were sea facing quarries and the best stone was lowered from the cliff quarries into small boats before the stone was transferred to larger vessels standing just off the shore. Dancing Ledge is one of the most spectacular of these and today the cliffs and quarry face are used for adventurous outdoor activities.

Strange Globe at Durlston Head

We are familiar with this section of the coast from the sea and we pass the first of the mile markers we had often observed sailing here with Mary’s dad, Brian. Then a mile later we pass the second pair just past the lighthouse at Anvil Point. On rounding this there are views to Durlston Head and beyond that the Isle of Wight. At Durlston Head there is a giant stone globe and we pause here before turning the corner and heading towards Swanage. The view here is across Swanage Bay to Old Harry Rocks and the high rise of Bournemouth beyond.

View Over Swanage Bay to Old Harry and Bournemouth

As time is pressing we cut a corner and head down into the town to catch the local bus service back to Corfe and the final leg of the walk around the edge of the ruined castle and back on field tracks to the campsite.

12.5 miles