Swanage Coach Walk

The town of Swanage is at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Its rich tapestry of history extends back to millions of years ago to prehistoric times and there is evidence of Roman settlements. Quarrying became important to the town during the Roman occupation, with the distinctive Purbeck marble being used for decorative purposes inside buildings, as far away as London. After the Romans left the town, quarrying for the marble ceased until the 12th century, when it was used largely for internal columns in many large churches and cathedrals.

However, Swanage’s greatest prominence came during the Victorian era. During this period, it first became a significant quarrying port for Purbeck stone and later transformed into a seaside resort for the wealthy of the day. A local man, John Mowlem, became a successful builder in London, creating the Mowlem Construction Company. He made his business importing stone from around the country, including Purbeck limestone. Through this process, many monuments and relics were brought from London to Swanage by Mowlem and his nephew, George Burt. These include the big clock tower near Peveril Point and the façade of the Swanage Town Hall. The pair were highly influential in the development of the town and its infrastructure, including the town’s first pier, the first gas and water works and Durlston Estate and Country Park.

Today, Swanage is pure nostalgia, with a heritage steam train travelling through the countryside to this seaside resort and the pier still reflecting its Victorian splendour. You can walk along the pier for a view over the gently sloping golden sandy beach of Swanage Bay out to Old Harry Rocks. Or gaze out over the bay from Durlston Castle. The castle and Country Park is a countryside paradise just 30 minutes' walk from Swanage Town Centre with coastal walking, stunning views and amazing wildlife.

In the town, you can visit the Swanage Museum for Dinosaurs and the Jurassic Coast, and find out about the stone trade and Second World War.

For Non Walking Members: You may wish to remain on the coach and be driven to Swanage or alternatively if you let the coach driver know we can make a stop in Corfe Railway Station, and you can take the Steam train to Swanage and walk the short distance to the town and sea front.

The Walks: these three walks are challenging especially if the weather has been or still is wet. The South West Coastal Path (SWCP) is rocky and can be muddy and steep in places.

The Long Walk is approximately 11 miles in length and has an overall height gain of 260 metres. It starts outside the Castle Inn in the village of Corfe. The walk proceeds through the village turning off for 200 meters on the B3069 to reach the Purbeck Way. This is followed over Corfe Common and uphill over fields to reach a crossing of the B3069 at spot height 139 meters a climb of 105 meters from Corfe village. Crossing over we continue on the Purbeck Way, there is a very steep section coming down at Combe Bottom, difficult in wet conditions. At Hill Bottom we turn off and climb up to the village of Worth Matravers. From the village we begin our descent to the coast at Winspit, where there is a steep climb up 70 steps before a steep descent into Seacombe bottom. Another climb up to Seacombe Cliff followed by a walk to Dancing Ledge. 

*Then a 3.2 kilometre walk along the SWCP to arrive at the Swanage Light House, passing the obvious Mile Indicator Posts used to measure a mile by starting and finishing when the posts line up. From the light house, we leave the SWCP and follow the metaled track to Durlston Castle car park where we rejoin the SWCP. This is followed to reach Peveril Point and the final walk into Swanage and back to the coach. 

The Medium Walk is approximately 8 miles long and has a height gain of 125 metres. It starts at the car park north of Acton village on the B3069. Walking south to join the Priests Way then west, before diverting to view dinosaurs’ footprints, discovered during quarrying operations, well worth the diversion. Then west to the permissive path that lies east of Eastington farm. This leads to an excellent gently sloping path down to the sea at Seacombe Cliffe. Note the carved horses head in the dry-stone wall as you leave the permissive path and note the spring part way down the gentle slope. Arriving at end of Seacombe Bottom there is a climb up to Seacombe Cliff followed by a walk to Dancing Ledge. This then follows the Long walk route on the SWCP from * above back to the coach.

The Short Walk is approximately 6.5 miles in length and has a height gain of 80 metres. It starts at the Kings Arms in Langton Matravers and follows footpaths passing a Scout Hall opened by Ralf Reader! Then passing Langton House, crossing the Priests Way before passing Spyway barn with interesting story boards on display. Continuing south towards the sea note the carved cows head in the dry-stone wall before beginning the steep descent using steps and grassy slope to reach Dancing Ledge. This then follows the Long walk route on the SWCP from * above back to the coach.