Studland
For most people Studland is accessed by the chain ferry from Sandbanks, but it can be reached by road via Wareham and Corfe Castle. For the very energetic this is the start of the South West Coast Path - as the sign indicates it is 630 miles to Minehead in Somerset using this, compared to about 90 miles for the direct route.
The 3 miles of sandy beach from the ferry to Studland village includes a designated naturist area. Studland Heath is one of Dorset's lowland heath areas where all 6 British reptiles and internationally important birds such as the Dartford Warbler and Nightjar can be found.
St. Nicholas church in Studland is a mixture of Saxon and Norman architecture.
Old Harry Rock
Between Studland and Swanage lies Ballard Down which is not accessible by road. Off the most easterly point of Ballard Down is Old Harry Rock, one of the most photographed features of the Dorset coast.
South of Swanage, between Peverill Point and Durlston Head are the clifftops of Durlston Down. At Durlston Head is Durlston Castle which is accessible by road.
Kimmeridge bound
From Durlston Head the coastline runs due west for the next 10 miles to Lulworth Cove via the villages of Worth Matravers, Kingston, Kimmeridge, and Tyneham, and the headland of St Adhelm's.
Food and drink can be obtained at the Square & Compass pub at Worth Matravers and the bistro-style restaurant at the old post office in Kimmeridge.
There are 2 notable landmarks in Kimmeridge
- The Clavell Tower dating back to 1830 which has recently been dismantled and re-erected 25 metres back from the crumbling cliff face.
- the "nodding donkey" oil pump, which was installed in the 1950s and is now the oldest working oil pump in the world.
Tyneham
Between Kimmeridge and Lulworth is the attractive village of Tyneham. But don't expect any refreshments here as the village was taken over by the British army in 1943 and it has remained under their ownership ever since. However the church and school house have been restored and can be visited when the tank firing ranges surrounding the village are not being used.
Lulworth
At East Lulworth you will find the Castle and Park. The Castle which was destroyed by fire in 1929 has been substantially restored and can be visited by organized groups. There is also a small children's animal farm and various events are held through the year. The Pirate Festival is one of these events. For more information see www.paste.org.uk and www.lulworth.com/ gives you more information about all the events.
Further on at West Lulworth is famous Lulworth Cove with its circular bay. Here there are a few eating places and other shops. A further mile west by the cliff path is Durdle Door, another immediately recognizable icon of the Dorset coastline.
And beyond...
The remainder of the coast until you reach the outskirts of Weymouth is mainly inaccessible other than:-
- Ringstead Bay, which is a popular spot for rock pooling,
- Osmington Mills where the 13th century Smugglers Inn sits on the cliff top.
- Bowleaze Cove, a picturesque area which is immortalised by John Constable's seascape exhibited in the National Gallery. Here you will find the Riviera Hotel, Waterside Holiday Park and an amusement complex.
