Spyway Sea Saunter
Head out to the coast to enjoy the views then loop back to your starting point on this level walk across farmland.
Map
Start:
Spyway car park, grid ref: SY997784
1
The walk starts from the kissing gate at the end of the car park, and continues along the track ahead of you. You'll cross the Priest's Way, one of the oldest 'roads' in Purbeck.
The Priest's Way
The Priest's Way is one of the oldest roads in Purbeck and for 1,000 years a priest would ride a pony or walk between the churches of Swanage and Langton to take the service. Today, the 'road' is used recreationally by walkers, horse riders and cyclists.
2
Keep going along the track to the farm buildings. Between the cottages and the buildings, take time to look in the display barn to find out more about conservation in this area.
3
Now head on into the grassland. Here, you may see sika or roe deer or hear the loud whistling call of the sika stags in the autumn breeding season. With views to the English Channel, keep going through grasslands until you reach a kissing gate. The 'quirky' cow is one of a pair of sculptures by Sarah Moore carved to acknowledge the importance of conservation grazing in managing these landscapes.
The Limousin Cow
The Limousin Cow is one of two sculptures by Sarah Moore that recognise the importance of these animals in managing this landscape. The other carved animal is a pony, situated westwards along the Priest's Way at Eastington. The combination of cows and ponies grazing, and their different grazing habits, enable grass blade or sward height to be grazed more effectively. This specific conservation grazing enables the limestone grassland to be managed without using fertilisers or chemicals.
4
Once through the kissing gate you're rewarded with some coastal views and the chance to sit down and savour this diverse landscape. If you fancy a short detour to Dancing Ledge (a shelf of rock on the beach left by quarrying), follow the rough stone steps which are straight in front of you. This is a popular spot for picnics and swimming in the summer.
Dancing Ledge
The once prosperous quarrying industry has left an abundance of relic features. One such remnant is Dancing Ledge, a quarry shelf, said to be the size of a dance floor. The visible ruts are from the carts used to move Purbeck stone from where the quarrymen cut it from the quarry face to be loaded at the cliff edge and transported by stone boat. The 'swimming pool' was dug on the instruction of one of Langton Matravers' headmasters to allow his students to swim year round following a bracing run from the top.
5
Once you have finished admiring the view, turn right and head along the track at the top of the hill to the west, keeping the dry stone wall on your right and the sea to the left. Keep straight ahead through the gap in the wall.
6
Go through the kissing gate and say goodbye to the sea as you turn right and head inland up the track.
7
When you get to the gates at the end of the field, stop to admire the views of the Purbeck Hills, Swanage Bay and the Isle of Wight. Now go through the gate, turn right and continue along the Priest's Way.
8
Go through the next gate and turn immediately left into the field where the car park is.
End:
Spyway car park, grid ref: SY997784