Route: Kingston to Kimmeridge and back
Area: Dorset
Date of walk: 6th August 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 9.8 miles
Weather: Perfect
Gilly dropped me off near the Scott Arms in Kingston, and I walked past the church as I left this attractive village along a quiet lane. I reached a car park after a short distance and here turned off the lane to join a path across the fields to Swyre Head. The views from the Head were fabulous – I could see for miles in all directions
I then walked to Kimmeridge along the top of the escarpment with more spectacular views all the way along
After reaching Kimmeridge I headed south towards the sea and joined the South West Coastal Path which took me across the top of the Kimmeridge Ledges. There were plenty of ups and downs, including one long and steep up at the end of the clifftop section, before I headed back inland to the start
It was a fantastic walk, enhanced by the flawless weather
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Kingston
The quiet lane leading out of the village
Looking back to Corfe Castle
The escarpment leading to Swyre Head
Looking down to Golden Bowl
Further along the escarpment
Clavell tower in the distance - I’ll pass by the tower later on
Encombe House
Looking down from Swyre Head
Zooming in on the Isle of Wight
A heavenly section beyond Swyre Head as I pass through a well named gate……
Corfe Castle, with Poole Harbour beyond
Approaching the end of the escarpment
Descending towards Kimmeridge
The path goes through the grounds of St Nicholas’ Church
Walking through Kimmeridge
Kimmeridge Bay
Kimmeridge Bay again
Clavell Tower
Looking back to Kimmeridge Bay and Gad Cliff from the South West Coastal Path
Walking above Kimmeridge Ledges
I pass by Swyer Head, where I’d been earlier
I’ll be heading back inland once I reach the top of Houns-tout Cliff on the left of the picture
A last lingering look back along the cliff top before I leave the coastline
Start of the path back to Kingston
Quarry Wood
St James’s Church Kingston, and a little further along the road………
A pub with a view
