Dorset

The Cogden Circular

Colourful wildflowers on the shingle beach, Cogden beach — In late spring, colourful wildflowers brighten the shingle | © National Trust

A circular stroll through flower-filled farmland returning via the South West Coast Path. Enjoy Cogden Beach, part of the larger Chesil Beach, a striking section of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site which is the largest shingle ridge in the world.

Near to

Hive Beach

Start point

Cogden car park SY503886

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2.2 (km: 3.52)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly***

*Moderate slopes, but overall an undemanding walk. For further details, see section marked Terrain.
**Kissing gates and modrate slopes along the way. For further details, see section marked Access.
***Dogs shoiuld be kept on a lead near livestock. For further details, see section marked Facilities.

Address
National Trust car park at Cogden, DT6 4RL
Directions via Google Maps
By train
The nearest train station is Weymouth 15 miles (24km).
On foot
The South West Coast Path links Hive Beach at Burton Bradstock with Cogden Beach.
South West Coast Path
By bus
The Coastline X53 stops at the end of the short road to Hive Beach and also goes directly past the entrance to Cogden car park.
First Bus
Cycling
The National Cycle Network route 2 runs nearby.
Sustrans
By road
Burton Bradstock is located on the B3157 coast road from Bridport to Abbotsbury and Weymouth. Nearest postcode is DT6 4RF.
Dogs
Please keep dogs on their leads while in fields with livestock, and use the dog bins provided. Also please be aware of ground-nesting birds from March to July and keep dogs under close control during this period.
Car park
National Trust car parks at Cogden and Hive Beach (free for members) open all year with information point open March-October.
Toilet
Toilets at Hive Beach (opening times vary according to season).
Café
Café at Hive Beach (opening times vary according to season).
Shop
In Burton Bradstock village: a petrol station with Spar shop, Post Office/village stores, two pubs, public toilets, children's play area.
Pub
In Burton Bradstock village: a petrol station with Spar shop, Post Office/village stores, two pubs, public toilets, children's play area.
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Cogden car park SY503886
Stage 1
From the middle of the car park, head east through the kissing gate and continue for approximately 0.5 miles (0.8km) through another three gates. To your left you should now see the gate to Othona (private).
Stage 2
In front of you the track forks – take the right hand track through the field and through another gate to find yourself crossing the bottom of a long steep field.
Stage 3
Go through another gate into a field where you will see ant hills to your left. Follow the path round the patches of scrub and through another gate.
Stage 4
You will now find yourself at the top of three fields which slope down to the sea. Follow the path through two more gates and you will find yourself on the South West Coast Path.
Stage 5
Turn right (westwards) and follow the coast path until you pass through a patch of willow trees using the board walk over the mud. Continue along the coast path through fields and between hedges until you emerge near the beach.
Stage 6
Take the track leading up the hill through two more gates back to the car park.
End point
Cogden car park SY503886
Trail map
The Cogden Circular | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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