The walk: From Kingston, the walk follows the coast visiting Houns Tout, Chapman's Pool bay, St Aldhelm's (aka St Alban's) Head, Winspit, Dancing Ledge, the Anvil Lighthouse and descends through Durlston Country Park into Swanage.
Map
NB The map shows my GPS track, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.
Why do it: Fine scenery of the Purbeck/Jurassic Coast, including Chapman's Pool Bay, sweeping views along the coast from St Aldhelm's Head, dramatic ledges formed by quarrying at Winspit, Seacombe and Dancing Ledge. Anvil Lighthouse. The route shown on the map takes a direct track down to Swanage from the Anvil, but you could easily continue around Durlston Head (see Swanage to Shell Bay walk).
Distance: 12.5 miles (an extra mile if the walk is continued around Durlston Head and Peveril point)
Logistics: Park either on the road outside the Scott Arms in Kingston, or in the free Houns-Tout car park just up the road. End at Swanage Railway Station, and get the Purbeck Breezer bus (no 40) back to the Scott Arms.
Challenges: There are some very steep descents and ascents on the coast path. My route goes down to, and along, the shore at Chapman's Pool, and the path down is quite overgrown and muddy: this could be avoided by following the official England Coast Path (signed), which follow more circuitous tracks inland. (They are obviously trying to discourage coast path walkers from going down to the bay.) As you near the Anvil, the path gets a bit rougher.
Refreshments: Scott Arms in Kingston. There are no other options until you reach Durlston (check cafe closing times). Lots of options in Swanage.
Nearby Walks
To the West: Swyre Head, Kimmeridge, Houns Tout circular
To The East: Swanage to Shell Bay
Photos
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The swimming pool carved out at Dancing Ledge
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| Kingston Church |
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| You can park at the Houns-Tout car park |
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| Path out to Houns-Tout |
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| The Encombe valley |
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| Isle of Portland in the distance |
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| Dry stone wall |
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| Looking West from Houns-Tout |
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| Looking East to Chapman's Pool |
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| It's a steep descent, with steps |
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| Signs discourage descening to the bay |
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| Rough, muddy path down to Chapman's Pool |
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| On the beach, Chapman's Pool |
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| Route heads up past the boathouse at the end |
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| From the boathouse |
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| View from path up from Chapman's Pool |
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| More steps |
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| Views from the top are worth it |
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| There is a sneaky hidden valley on the way to St Aldhelm's Head |
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| Big descent followed by..... |
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| ...big ascent |
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| From St Aldhelm's Head |
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| Coastguard cottages and chapel, St Aldhelm's Head |
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| Chapel |
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| Coastwatch welcomes visitors |
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| Winspit |
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| Winspit quarries |
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| Winspit ledges |
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| Winspit quarry caves |
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| Seacomb ledges |
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| Seacombe ledges |
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| Climbers at Dancing Ledge |
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| Dancing Ledge |
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| Approaching the Anvil Lighthouse |
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| Anvil Ledges |
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| From path into Swanage |
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| South Barn, on the way into Swanage |
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| Swanage railway station |
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