Kimmeridge Walk Pictures
South West Coast Path, Dorset

 

A view over to Corfe Castle, the Purbeck Hills, Poole Harbour and Bournemouth, Dorset.

There are various starting options for a walk around Kimmeridge, the easiest in terms of navigation being to drive to the village and walk a circular route from there, either starting along the ridge and then dropping down to the south west coastal path, or vice versa.

From Poole, Dorset, it's easiest to drive there via Wareham and Corfe around the west end of Poole Harbour. From Bournemouth catching the ferry from Sandbanks across to Studland and Corfe is more direct and a lot more scenic, in fact the landscape across the ferry is stunning, peaceful and unbelievably undeveloped.

 

Scott Arms pub in Kingston, on the ridge above Corfe Castle.

The Bugcrew chose to head through Corfe Castle and up to Kingston's gorgeous olde Scott Arms for a coffee. Tragically they don't open till 11am.

In the photo above the Corfe road goes downhill to the left, the far side heads towards more great walks around Langton Matravers and this side (turn right when driving from Corfe) takes walkers to the top of the ridge above Kimmeridge, but make sure you have a good map as parking places are tricky to find, as are the right trails.

 

The panorama over Kimmeridge, the 'Jurassic Coast' and Weymouth in the distance.

 

 

The Purbeck Hill landscape on the opposite side of the viewpoint.

 

The southwest coast path below the viewpoint heading for Kimmeridge Bay.

 

Kimmeridge Bay. Durdle Door is over the distant white cliff.

 

 

 

Kimmeridge Bay in midsummer, with WW2 pillbox and plenty of seaweed.

Kimmeridge Bay is popular with watersports folk, with easy launching for kayaks and windsurfers as well as a well designed, marked and interesting underwater trail for snorkellers and scuba divers and the famous 'Washing Ledge' natural platform that sticks out into the bay and provides a terrific fun base for kids, dogs and just about anyone who enjoys a wet-foot frisson. Currently there is no rental equipment of any sort available.

 

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The bay has no eating or drinking facilities, but there's an excellent alcohol-serving café (Clavell's Farm Shop) in Kimmeridge village, about 3/4 of a mile up the valley. Next, Dorset Beaches from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door to Weymouth.

 

 

Corfe Castle | Southwest Coast Path | Studland | Studland beaches

Weymouth | Lyme Regis | Bournemouth | Sandbanks

 

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