WALKS IN DORSET at ABBOTSBURY, CHESIL BEACH & ABBOTSBURY CASTLE (THE JURASSIC COAST) [4K]

This is another video in my series “Walks in Dorset” accompanied by my Whippet (Logan). In this episode, I visit the village of Abbotsbury (7 miles South West of Dorchester) and explore the iconic Chesil Beach.
My 6 mile circular route starts at the Bullers Way car park on Chesil Beach (about a mile to the South of Abbotsbury). After a stroll along this impressive shingle beach. I head inland along a footpath that takes me up to St Catherine's Chapel which is perched high above the village. There are some super views to be had up there - looking over the Swannery on the beach as well as the remains of World War Two defences (including a number of pill boxes).
After a look inside the chapel, I head down in to the village to look at the church, the Abbey remains and what is thought to be the longest thatched Tithe Barn in the UK!
I go through Abbotsbury (stopping to pick up supplies for a picnic) and head uphill again to get to the South Dorset Ridegway. Again I get to enjoy some stunning views and can see as far as the Hardy Monument in the East.
Continuing me journey Westwards, I explore Abbotsbury Castle (an Iron Age Hill Fort) before descending down to the settlement of West Bexington (passing by the remains of some limeworks in doing so).
My homeward leg takes me Eastwards, back along Chesil Beach where once again I discover more World War Two Pill boxes.
Although it was a fine day, it did get a little cloudy & hazy at times which did make the film appear a little "dark" at times. There was also a strong wind, especially on the beach, which did come through on the audio from time to time - I hope this does not spoil your enjoyment of the video.
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.w...
My Facebook page is: / davescountrysidewalks
I use a GOPRO HERO 7 Black Action Camera (sometimes with a Gimbal) & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

[@doreenfawcett9717]

Wow Dave beautiful views so so lovely and interesting I loved that film beautiful . A great walk thank you 😊👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@DaveFord]

Thanks for watching. :)

[@jorose6093]

This is our walk for tomorrow, thanks Dave and Logan ❤

[@DaveFord]

I hope that you have good weather and have a great walk!

[@PinnedonPlaces]

What a lovely and informative walk with you and your gorgeous Logan! Thanks for taking us on your walk - we really enjoyed watching and listening with you! :D

[@DaveFord]

Thanks. It is a lovely area for walking. Thank you for watching.

[@christinejackson1236]

Hi Dave. I’ve been meaning to message for ages to thank you for the really useful walks videos that you do. We were fortunate enough to spend a week in Burton Bradstock, in February and had fabulous weather enabling us to follow most of your walks in the area. All were excellent and it was reassuring to know, beforehand that they would be accessible to our dog, too.

[@DaveFord]

Hi Christine. Glad that you had good weather for your trip and got the opportunity to enjoy some great walks around that area. Thank you for watching.

[@lucygamble614]

Abbotsbury is my favourite local village and I never tire of visiting or passing through but it was lovely to see a different perspective of the place on your walk Dave, and many hidden bits and stunning views from the Ridgeway and hillfort that I haven't seen. Thank you for sharing your walk and your extensive local knowledge! I will look forward to watching more of your videos. :-)

[@DaveFord]

Thanks for your kind comments Lucy and indeed thank you for watching.

[@SkylarkFields]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching your trek around my local area, and the gorgeous Logan was such a good boy! It's hard work going up the hills (I walk my dog up on the Ridgeway, as well as down in the fields below the Chapel.) What a lovely day you chose to go, too. I learned a lot from all the interesting facts you gave out, also. Thank you for sharing!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks. It is a lovely area and indeed a great dog walk. Thank you for watching.

[@christinegibbins6105]

Many thanks to you both, such a beautiful area, happy memories of holidays and camping with the Scouts, hiking the Ridge. The red plant is Sorrel. Take care.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Christine. There are certainly some great views from up on the ridge there - a great place for camping I should imagine.

[@nicolafreeman6294]

Thank you Dave, that was a really interesting and beautiful walk. We were in that area in May, so lovely. I bet you needed that pasty! 😄

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Nicola. Yes, that pasty came just at the right time! Thank you for watching.

[@highlandexplorer990]

Great video Dave with stunning scenery. I love Chesil Beach, its such a freaky formation. ATB, Brian and Sah

[@DaveFord]

Chesil Beach is amazing but it is hard going, walking on the shingle after a while!

[@doreenfawcett9717]

Love the little chapel so pretty . How lovely I was christened-at Chapel In yks where. I was born.

[@DaveFord]

The climb up to chapel was worth the effort.

[@sunshinek7172]

Such a beautiful video and lovely place. Thanks for sharing😁

[@DaveFord]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rachelt-s]

Lovely walk. Brilliant video. Love the sound of the sea on the shingle at the end. 😀👍

[@DaveFord]

Thanks. Chesil Beach really is an amazing phenomenon. Thank you for watching.

[@dannyvan5792]

verry nice i lovded thank veery good , nice vieuws .grts danny from belgium

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Danny. Glad that you enjoyed it.

[@thesolitarycyclist9005]

I had to do a double take there Dave when I thought you said the "Vicar's gun emplacement".I hadn't appreciated that the local clergy were mobilised in WWII. I did twig eventually!

[@DaveFord]

Ah Ha.... my accent getting me into trouble again! :). Thanks for watching John.

[@alanwhite8191]

A very special place and walk! I think I'll visit.

[@DaveFord]

It is a lovely area Alan - a great place to visit (especially when the weather is good!).

[@Originalspruce]

A really enjoyable walk that one Dave. Much to look at and enjoy. Thanks!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Mark. It is a great walk for stunning views, for sure! Thanks again for watching.

[@dianespears6057]

Very informative and lovely. Thank you.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Diane. :)

[@JustViewsAustria4K]

Interesting video. Looks like a great place to explore.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks for watching!

[@peterfrost5475]

I really liked that walk Dave, very good quality, I love that sort of sky and I now know what the inside of St Catherine's Chapel looks like. It was not open when I last went. Thanks.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Peter. There were some great views from the top of that hill with the Chapel.

[@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker]

A nice end to my day researching my next video going on a walk with you and Logan in my favourite county. Thanks for taking me along Dave.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Dave. :)

[@dannyvan5792]

I have been in the past manny times to langton herring , i love dat place e-and around . your lovely walks give me manny rememberens thanks . ex my englisch i am from belgium grts from danny

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Danny.

[@RogerB747]

Loving the new areas you are researching

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Roger. My plan is to do walks in the New Forest, rest of Hampshire & Dorset on a "three weekly" rotation (to have some variety!) - with the occasional visit to Sussex.

[@matthewdavidpope]

Fabulous walk Dave and Logan hope to do it soon

[@DaveFord]

Well worth a visit, Matt. :)

[@123boat]

Compare our pill boxes to the German ones in Europe and the Channel Islands and ours certainly didn’t give much protection for our soldiers 🤔 Chesil beach is a killer for the legs! Thanks for posting fantastic and informative videos Dave 👍👏

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Yes, the pebbles / stones on that beach are certainly a challenge!

[@kennethpearson2938]

The Jacobean pulpit in Abbotsbury church has two bullet holes dating from a shoot out between Parliament and Royalist forces in 1644.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you for that extra information Kenneth. It is a fascinating place to visit. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewnorris1]

That was really an ‘heroic’ walk through some stunning landscape, and all to yourselves! Thanks

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Andrew. It can be a popular area for visitors in the "peak" periods but if you time it right then it really is quite peaceful. The effort to climb the ridge for the views at the top was certainly worthwhile! Thanks for watching. (I did let Logan have a bit of meat in the pasty and not just the crust....I promise!).

[@dafadowndilly8919]

This looks like a very energetic walk. Too much for me... at the moment...

[@DaveFord]

It was certainly an "undulating" route!

[@alcollins5179]

Another superb video on Dorset. We've been to Chesil Beach and Abbottsbury. Do you know if the wood craft shop is still there? Woof Woof to Logan

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Al. I am afraid that I didn't get much time to explore the village itself (apart from the Abbey ruins, church barn ...and the shop where I bought my pasty!) however I believe that there is a place called "Dansel Gallery" - a craft gallery that specialises in wood - in Rodden Row, Abbotsbury. Thanks for watching.

[@clivechandler8817]

My corgi jack Russell Cross went to the incoming waves at Chesil and a big wave about 2 and a half foot went over him, he was alright though, he was a bit surprised though, you could see it on his face.

[@DaveFord]

Glad that your dog was OK - the current can get quite strong at times at Chesil beach for sure.

[@clivechandler8817]

It was at west bay a long time ago about 2006 I rushed in to the edge of the water and got him out. he really did look shocked 😯 like what just happened. Loved the video.👍

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Hello Dave. How does Logan cope with shingle. He can’t afford to go as mad as he does in sand. I’ve seen that chapel up on the hill, but never had the energy to walk up to it. How mean of you not to give Logan some pastie with meat in it. He didn’t look very impressed with the crust. How on earth did you get Logan on top of that trig point?

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lionel. Logan just about coped with the shingle but I made sure that we were not walking on it for too long. He did end up getting a bit of meat in the end....as well as his Bonio dog biscuit! Luckily he doesn't weigh too much so I can get him on top of trig points and he is always happy to sit and pose for the camera!

[@thesolitarycyclist9005]

Very impressive chapel but have you visited "the chapel in the woods" on the other side of the ridgeway?

[@DaveFord]

No , I don't think I have. I will have to check that one out!

[@thesolitarycyclist9005]

@@DaveFord St Luke's Chapel. Best visited on a moody autumnal day as it has a real atmosphere. The usual cloutie paraphernalia notwithstanding!