News

Last piece of coastal jigsaw now under our care

Published:: 01 June 2025

Coastal grassland and cliffs running down to the sea. National Trust ranger in red stands in foreground with the sweep of the coastline in the background. — NT land acquisition in Purbeck means a 5.5 mile stretch of coast is protected for nature. | © James Dobson

Thanks to generous donations, we have acquired a strip of coastal grassland in Purbeck, with the aim of restoring nature and improving access for walkers.

The 26.3 ha (65 acres) acquisition is the last piece in the ‘jigsaw’ between Durlston Country Park and Weston Farm in Worth Matravers. It means we can now manage an uninterrupted 5.5 mile (8.9k) coastal corridor in nature-friendly ways.

The narrow strip of land lies between Verney Farm and Belle Vue Farm in Swanage which are already under our care. From the coastline, the land stretches inland to ancient track, the Priest’s Way, and incorporates two historic nautical mile markers. We now plan to declare this section of the coast inalienable, which means it will be protected forever.

David Brown, lead ecologist for the National Trust, said:

“This was a fantastic, not-to-be-missed opportunity for us – the chance to join up the whole coastal landscape and encourage wildlife to spread, including rare wildflowers like early spider orchids and early gentians, and butterflies like the Lulworth skipper and Adonis blue. Along with our tenant farmers and neighbouring landowners, we are already doing exciting work along this coastline to restore nature. This strip was the only gap, and it means we can now work at a much bigger scale.”

The steeply sloping ground next to the coast is already designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the importance of its wildlife-rich grassland. But the three fields inland from there have been more intensively managed and currently have far less value for nature.

David added: “These fields are where we can really make a difference. The land will still be farmed, but in a more nature-friendly way. With appropriate management – like stopping chemical inputs and introducing a conservation grazing regime – we can restore the wildlife that’s missing. We are already seeing species recovering at Weston Farm where we have been managing for nature since 2022.”

Early spider orchid, showing brown furry body that resembles a spider. — Rare early spider orchid, a speciality of the Purbeck coastline. | © James Dobson

We are planning to improve the area for walkers, including widening the South West Coast Path to make it safer. There is also scope to add a new permissive route from the coast path inland to the Priest’s Way, which would provide an alternative walk.

Tracey Churcher, General Manager for the Trust in Prubeck, said:

“We manage land for nature and people, so improving access is a key aim for us. We added a similar inland route at Weston Farm in Worth Matravers which is proving to be hugely popular. A new inland path would also offer different views, including looking down on the iconic mile markers.”

Coastal view with NT ranger in red surrounded by yellow gorse. Behind is one of the historic mile markers (a tall metal post). — Historic mile marker and gorse on newly-acquired coastal strip. | © James Dobson

The acquisition was funded through legacies to the Trust’s coastal campaign, Enterprise Neptune. The campaign marks its 60th anniversary this year, having raised over £114m through generous donations. This has enabled us to protect almost 900 miles of coastline in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Fittingly, a coastline survey by Reading University in 1965 which led to the launch of the Neptune campaign, began in Purbeck.

Dr John Whittow, who led the 1965 coastline survey and recommended the Trust acquire 900 miles of coast, said: “Before the monumental coastal survey of some 8,000 miles could begin, it was imperative that a pilot survey should take place to acquaint my 30 students, post-grads and staff from Reading University with my newly devised methodology. What better place than Dorset’s Purbeck coast which we ‘invaded’ in May 1965.”

The Trust bought the land in Swanage from The Scott Estate. Henry Scott said: “The sale of this strategic strip of land will help the National Trust to manage the South Purbeck coastline as sympathetically as possible. Like the National Trust, we support ‘Farming with Nature’, including animal welfare and regenerative farming methods, creating the high-quality food that Purbeck is becoming renowned for.”

The area is part of the proposed South Purbeck ‘Super’ National Nature Reserve, which will bring together multiple landowners in managing this coastline for nature and people.