Dorset Walks | The Outdoor Store

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Walking in Weymouth

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Walking around Portland - click to maximise

Although the Autumn feels like it is well and truly upon us, this time of year can be perfect for walking in Dorset - particularly if you know there is a warm pub and a drink waiting for you at the other end.

Dorset is just bursting with fabulous places to walk - whether you want the exhiliration of hiking along the Coastal Path or spending a few hours in the beautiful countryside just a few miles inland.

Having a shop in Weymouth and living nearby we are spoilt for choice, but one of our favourite Weymouth Walks has the best of both worlds. Starting off from The Outdoor Store this walk takes in Weymouth Harbour and then follows the South West Coastal Path across to Portland.

Start from The Outdoor Store and wander through the town and across the bridge towards Brewers Quay.
Pick up the South West Coastal Path and head south around the Nothe Fort
Cross the Causeway between Weymouth and Portland, a great stretch of land to watch the windsurfers and kitesurfers. You may want to stop and see the sailing facilities for the 2012 Games.
Leave the Coastal Path at the foot of the hill and head east, steeply up the hill to the prison entrance (which is on the north side of the Verne Prison).
Head for Portland Castle then climb the disused tramway. Once at the top head towards the north west corner of the castle.
From here you can walk around the fort on its moat - look out for the remains of the gun emplacements on the hill top.
It is back on to the South West Coastal Path past the remains of the quary to Church Ope Cove. It is quite a way down to the beach but if you can manage it, it is well worth the walk.
We tend to retrace our steps at this point and pick up the old Easton and Church Hope Railway line back up towards Fortuneswell.
It is here that we normally stop for a coffee or a pint at the Portland Heights Hotel. There are fantastic views across Portland Bay and beyond.
If you are not feeling too energetic after your break you can always hop on a bus at this point and take the easy way down back in to Weymouth. The buses run every 10-15 minutes and take about 20 minutes to get back into Weymouth.

This is a fantastic walk that takes a good part of the day to complete. However, there are plenty of opportunities to break off and explore other parts of Portland island.

Don’t forget, we sell lots of walking equipment, boots and maps at The Outdoor Store. Wrap up warm and enjoy the Autumn walking in Weymouth.

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Walking the Dorset Coastal Path

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Dorset Coast Path

We often get asked in the shop about the best walks in Dorset. We have our personal favourites in and around Weymouth, but if you are looking for a route that will take in some of the most beautiful sites in Dorset then you can’t beat the Dorset Coastal Path. Follow the route over two or three days and it makes the perfect Dorset Walking holiday.

The Dorset Coastal Path is just as good for short walks and gentle strolls as it is for long-distance hiking. Start out at Hengistbury Head and head West towards Bournemouth along the beach front. Spend a couple of hours on the award winning beach at Sandbanks then it is over on the Sanbanks Ferry to the Isle of Purbeck.

Follow the route around Shell Bay to one of the most stunning viewpoints at Old Harry Rock looking back towards Poole and Bournemouth. On a sunny day the contrast between the blue sky and the sea is simply stunning. Take in Nine Barrow Down and walk downhill into Swanage, where you can enjoy a spot of shopping of grab a cream tea and a sandwich.

Th rugged coastline from Swanage around to Kimmeridge can be a little testing at time and provides a good workout for most walkers. Blink a few times anmd you might be mistaken for being in Cornwall as you walk from St Adhelms Head and on towards Kimmeridge. Walk back in time along this section of the Jurassic Coast and see the geology and fossilised forest that confirm the coastline’s status as a World Heritage Site.

From Kimmeridge it is on towards one of the most famous sections of the Dorset Coastal Path and Lulworth Cove. Some of the areas around Lulworth are restricted for the Military base nearby, so check for access on the day. Relax down by the sea in this horseshoe shaped bay or if you are feeling energetic then why not try the walk up over the hill to visit Durdle Door.

Not too far now to Weymouth, but still some stunning walking to take in. Ringstead Bay is one of Dorset’s best kept secrets - not too crowded but has a quaint “Swallows and Amazons” feel to it with the local resident houses and small shop. Stop off for a well earned beer at the Smugglers Inn in Osmington Mills and you should be able to see Wymouth and Portland just off in the distance.

Pretty much all downhill now into Overcombe where you can pick up the path right along the seafront and along the Esplanade into Weymouth (drop in the shop if you are short on supplies or need a local map).

You can’t leave Portland out if you are following the Coast Path’s full route, but the walk up to the top is pretty strenuous. The view out at Portland Bill is absolutely breathtaking. Follow the route along Chesil Beach, a natural sea barrier that is home to Abbotsbury Swannery and the Sub-tropical Gardens. On towards Bridport and you take in Burton Bradstock and West Bay.

Another fossil-lovers place to check out is Charmouth. Visit the Heritage Centre and see how fossils are created and pick up a few souvenirs. The final destination along the Dorset Coastal Path is Lyme Regis. A great seaside town that is famous for The French Lieutenant’s Woman and the spot where Meryl Streep stood on the Cobb.

Dorset Coastal Path Mileage Statistics:

Sandbanks - Swanage - 8 Miles - Moderate Walking
Swanage - Kimmerdige - 13 Miles - Moderate and Severe Walking
Kimmeridge - Weymouth - 19 Miles - Moderate and Severe Walking
Weymouth - Abbotsbury - 14 miles - Easy
Abbotsbury - West Bay - 9 Miles - Moderate
West Bay - Lyme Regis - 10 Miles - Moderate to Strenuous

The South West Coastal Path Calculator is a great little tool that will actually calculate the mileage of your route. Simply enter your start and end points and it does the rest. Poole Harbour to Weymouth Ferrybridge is 56 miles - so plenty of time to enjoy the Dorset views.

Don’t forget with a full range of outdoor clothing and walking boots in The Outdoor Store as well as OS Maps and other walking and camping equipment. Our staff are all Weymouth locals so if you are looking for a bit of local knowledge then pop in the shop and we will be happy to help out.