Spyway

Towering sea cliffs and grasslands rich in wild flowers

More about this place

Visitors walking through a garden in spring

Visiting this spring 

Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops and countryside locations are open to visit. Many houses in England and Wales have reopened, with houses in Northern Ireland expected to reopen from 24 May. Advance booking for visits helps us keep everyone safe and socially distanced. At quieter times such as weekdays, booking shouldn't be necessary, but to guarantee entry we recommend booking in advance, especially at weekends and bank holidays.

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Spyway

Things to see and do

Springtime at Spyway

Apple blossom in Studland

Spring walks near Spyway 

With the countryside blossoming into life, here are some of our favourite walks to discover the best of Purbeck.

Cowslips at Spyway, Dorset

Spring wildflowers of south Purbeck 

A delicate balance between nature and traditional ways of farming make the meadows of south Purbeck a treasure trove of botanical rarities like the early spider orchid and early gentian.

Sea cliffs seen from Dancing Ledge, Dorset
Spyway   Dorset

Cliffs, quarries and orchids at South Purbeck

With its towering sea cliffs and quarrying heritage, South Purbeck is a landscape built on stone in more ways than one. The distinctive natural community is adapted to the limestone geology, while dry stone walls define a farming culture which still depends on traditional methods.

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Dancing Ledge, near Spyway

Quarrying in south Purbeck 

The quarrying tradition of south Purbeck has helped define this corner of Dorset for centuries.

Sea views from south Purbeck

Walks near Spyway 

Stunning sea views and lush grassland criss-crossed by dry stone walls await walkers on the rugged coast of south Purbeck.

An information panel at the Keates Quarry dinosaur footprints

The Spyway dinosaur footprints 

At Keates Quarry near Spyway you can literally walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs which roamed Purbeck 145 million years ago.

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Spyway

Wildlife

Cattle grazing in the Purbeck Hills

Diverse grasslands 

The thin soils of upland Purbeck support an amazing variety of wildflowers, insects and birds, thanks to traditional grazing going back centuries.

Bluebells in Langton West Wood, Purbeck

Woodlands of Purbeck 

Despite being better known for its heaths and coastline, Purbeck is dotted with ancient woodlands which support some of our rarest wildlife.

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Spyway

Our work

An aerial view of the Purbeck coast

Protecting the Purbeck coast 

Our plan to ensure a sustainable future for the 24km of coastline we look after in Purbeck.

Red Devon cattle on Studland Heath

Farming and conservation 

The National Trust and our farming partners use traditional methods to keep the diverse landscapes of Purbeck beautiful and rich in wildlife.

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