Length: 17.8 km (11.1 mi)
Ascent/Descent: 493/485m
Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ¾ hours
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Take
the 10.21 Bus
Line X53 to Axminster from Weymouth King’s Statue Stand 6 (calls Weymouth
Station at 10.25 - the 09.56
train from Dorchester South arrives at 10.07), arrives Abbotsbury, Ilchester Arms at 10.56.
Return
buses: X53 from West Bay, George Hotel at 15.43, 16.43, 17.48, 18.40, 20.23
to Weymouth.
This is an easy coast walk along the sweeping curve
of Lyme Regis Bay, with great views, great swimming and great beach cafés! It
starts with a ridge walk with a fabulous view over the curve of the bay and
back to the Isle of Portland. The route then descends to the beach and low
cliff tops, and follows the South West Coast Path ("SWCP"), still
with lovely views of the sweeping bay passing several remote beaches. You can
swim in many places.
The walk starts in Abbotsbury (Swannery, Subtropical
Gardens, the start of the Chesil Beach spit) with a short but recommended
out-and-back detour to climb a small hill with St Catherine's chapel
(viewpoint, free if open). After returning to the town, it then climbs onto the
downs above it, and follows the ridge for 4 km (the 'South Dorset Ridgeway')
above the coast with fine views over the curve of the bay. It then drops down
to the beach, from where the route follows low cliff tops or the beach for the
remainder of the route.
Starting at Wext Bexington beach (upmarket beach café),
you pass Cogden Beach (remote), Hive Beach (gastro beach café and a hotel pub),
and Burton Cliff before reaching a small river (the Bride). You can paddle
across at low tide, or take a 400m out-and-back detour inland to a bridge.
Burton Freshwater beach has a caravan park, from
here is 2 km to West Bay, a small seaside town with a harbour, and the setting
for the Broadchurch TV series. It has a pub, cafes, several shops and eateries,
and a bus stop.
The ridge top route at the start is a little close
to a road in places, but its views more than make up for it. If you prefer,
there is a peaceful beach level alternative along the official SWCP.
Walk
Options:
Visit
St Catherine's Chapel - A bit longer, and up a hill: do make the short
out-and-back detour near the start to visit the iconic St Catherine's Chapel,
on a small hill above the town, with views of the Chesil Beach spit.
SWCP
along Chesil Beach - Same
distance, but avoids most of the ascent: The ridge top start is nicer, but
involves climbing the ridge and some road noise. An alternative start is to
follow the official SWCP route instead, down to Abbotsbury's beach (passing the
Chapel), and following the beach path. This option joins up with the main route
after about 3.5 km of beach walking at West Bexington beach.
Short
Circular Walk - Start
with the ridge route to West Bexington beach, and return along the beach route,
stopping off at West Bexington's beach café, Chesil Beach, the Subtropical
Gardens and St Catherine's Chapel along the way.
Lunch and Tea: several cafés en route, check the webpage for
details.
2 comments:
#7 started from Abbotsbury, 4 starting with a visit to the chapel. After an interesting morning walking along the tumulus-strewn ridge, the remaining three picnicked before the descent. The others overtook us and were later seen lunching at West Bexington. The now front three proceeded to Hive Beach to have tea, walking through fields parallel to the sea for some to avoid some of the shingle. Two of us decided on the bus while the other one soldiered on the West Bay. It was #cloudy-then-sunny-with-a-stiff-breeze against us all day.
I hear that two of the Bexington lunchers also got the bus from Burton and one more went on to West Bay.
One of those that walked the last bit to to West Bay arrived there in time for the 18.40 bus. Stunning views from the clifftops. Part of the coastal path just after Hive Beach was closed for safety reasons but there was a lane nearby that soon rejoined the path. One more diversion also due to the impassable Burton freshwater. There were lots of skylarks noted throughout the day (maybe partly due to the restoration of some meadows) and a stone chat perched on top of brambles. Also enjoyed an upgrade from the sandwich to lunch at the Michelin starred (no less) Clubhouse in West Bay as a lunch stop. The 14C chapel visited at the start survived the dissolution, as it was deemed a useful beacon. It certainly provides impressive views out to sea and around. It was built by abbots as a pilgrim chapel but modern day visitors still offer prayers to St Catherine there, including one for a good husband (?!). Lovely day, thanks for posting.
E
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