WALKS IN DORSET at WORTH MATRAVERS, WINSPIT QUARRY and ST ALDHELM'S HEAD (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 Worth Matravers (3 miles South of Corfe Castle) and explore the surrounding area.
My 4 mile (approx) walk starts at Worth Matravers where I get to look at the Square & Compass pub, village pond, church and indeed the rest of the village before heading South downhill towards Winspit.
On reaching the sea, I explore the magical disused Winspit quarry - used in the past as a filming location for both Blakes Seven & Doctor Who.
I continue Westwards along the South West Coast path where there are some stunning views to be enjoyed. At St Aldhelm's Head, there is so much to see - the “radar sculpture”, the Coastguard lookout, the old coastguard cottages and an enchanting (and very unusual) chapel.
I then head North, still keeping to the coastal path, down (& then up) a very steep valley to the Royal Marines Memorial where again there are some spectacular views looking down in to Chapmans Pool.
My final leg of the walk takes me over some fields back to the village, to my final destination - the Square & Compass pub for a well earned pint of cider & a pasty!
My Gopro 7 Black Action camera struggled to perform in the very low light inside the caves at Winspit quarry and inside St Aldehelm's chapel (particularly the image stabilization) so I had to replace the video footage with photographic stills. Hopefully that has not spoilt 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.

[@barrywilton298]

Good advice Dave. Having been a member of the MCA Cliff Search & Rescue. Keeping Logan on a lead while walking close to the cliff edges is very important. The number of rescues our team carried out on the SW coastal path was due to owners allowing their dogs off the lead. The cliffs have large populations of rabbits, with the dog off the lead they get a glimpse of a Bob tail and they are off, the-rabbit goes down his hole and the dog goes over the edge. The Cliff Search and Rescue are called out on a volunteer basis with these rescues taking in cases a long time to rescue a pet and with all the equipment having to be used the costs can be high to the MCA with no charges being made to the owners. So please pay heed to Dave’s advice. It was discussed that the coastguard wouldn’t turn out to animal rescues because of the lack of responsibility of the owners. Thanks again Dave, 👍 🍺🍺

[@DaveFord]

Thanks for the wise information Barry.

[@markshrimpton3138]

Being 65 my knees groaned in empathy at the sight of that cliff path. This is, for me, one of your most picturesque walks. Your hard work is appreciated. It’s interesting how old graffiti is interesting but new stuff deemed just vandalism.

[@DaveFord]

It is certainly "undulating" around there for sure!

[@susantaylor927]

Wow! That was a walk and all half! Thank you Dave and Logan! Sooo interesting and we appreciate your dogged determination down vale and up hill! Those views and the sound of the waves!!! Just what we needed!😊

[@DaveFord]

One of my favourite walks!

[@normanwilliamson5545]

Hi Dave, thanks again for another absolutely stunning walk. The views are outstanding and we appreciate your efforts on beating the steep slopes, trust that your knees have recovered since that strenuous walk. Kind regards, Norman and Pam.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you both. Yes, all fully recovered!

[@normanwilliamson5545]

@@DaveFord Glad to hear that your knees have recovered, we enjoy watching your walks.

[@jerrygale1994]

Another fab video. Was at Chapmans Pool, the Marines memorial and the fab pub at the start of June. Brought back happy memories. Thank you

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. That route is one of my favourite walks.

[@dannyvan5792]

verry verry good many thank ,good video y loved it , goed explenation . grts danny from belgium

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Danny. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@VincentComet-l8e]

What beautiful scenery! And thanks for The Ride of the Valkyries along the way too!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lawrie. The scenery really is quite spectacular around there for sure! Thank you for watching.

[@dafadowndilly8919]

Great video. I thought, that's something I could do, until you revealed that ginormous hill to climb. Lovely blue skies again.

[@DaveFord]

Yes, undulating but quite spectacular!

[@cathpeterson1944]

beautiful coastal walk, hills are so vast, quarry where Dr Who was filmed is so cool 😎

[@DaveFord]

It is a very atmospheric place to explore Cath.

[@trevorread9115]

Great all Dave and one of my favourite pubs👍

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Trevor. A pint of cider and a pasty .... a perfect way to end a walk!

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

That village is so beautiful and a great story about the cure for smallpox. I think I’ve heard that before somewhere. Lovely old quarry. As you said, the rocks holding the roof up didn’t look very secure. I wasn’t aware of all the quarrying that went on off the area. And that church. Wonderful. Yes. Walking up hill is easier on the legs than going down. Lovely video as always. One of your best for interesting content.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lionel. We were fortunate to have a good day with the weather on that walk - the sun really brought out the colours in the sea.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

@@DaveFord Yes. Really deep blue. I said to Mary,” we should do that walk”, but she wasn’t impressed. Does that really not allow customers inside?

[@Carol-hq1pu]

Lovely walk, lovely views but those steps are something else.

[@DaveFord]

You certainly burn a few calories climbing them! :)

[@MrNas42]

You inspired me to visit two years ago when you took Richard Vobes there. A tremendous part of Dorset!

[@DaveFord]

It is a beautiful part of the world there, Nigel. Glad you got to experience it.

[@stationmasterschoice-walku1307]

Lovely walk Dave. Wish I was still fit enough to do the same. Jackie and I are often out and about when I'm down that way, but filming chances are limited. Not sure that bus stop is in use these days. There used to be a route 44 out from Swanage, but I can't find any record of any current services. Service 40 up on the main road runs every hour, so is probably the closest public transport, but what a pleasant walk. Great stuff.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Bernie. one of my favourite walks and pubs ( The Square & Compass).

[@andrewcutts3197]

I always take a walk across to Worth Matravers from Tom’s Field to the Square and Compass when I’m down on holiday, but I haven’t visited the church yet. I’ll have a look this August. Great videos.

[@DaveFord]

Ah - the Square & Compass .... one of my favourite pubs!

[@TeaInValhalla]

Good afternoon Dave, as you know we love this route and area, great that you had some lovely weather too 🌞👍 Wasnt the village its lovely too, some of the cottagea and church, just perfection! The caves where fantastic huh, easy to see why and how they have been used in movies and film making 🛸❤👍 some of the caves were pretty precarious and felt an impending sense of doom!😱 The lookout/chapel is one of our favourite spots along the SWCP, little beauty! So much to love about this walk, a real must see place for anyone that can! That drop and climb is a little beast hey, well done you guys, hope you knees didn't feel to bad the day after 👍 think Logan needs to be transferred for a sleigh dog on these days 🤭 dont tell him we said that! Chapman's pool and the memorial garden are a lovley way to end this walk, or start to depending on how you walk it of course. Thanks for the video Dave, have a great weekend, Ceri and Kat ❤🌞👍☕🌊

[@DaveFord]

Thanks guys. Yes - a super walk to do (especially on a sunny day). Logan does have his uses although he hasn't quite got the hang of pulling his Dad uphill yet! The Square & Compass pub made an excellent final destination. Thanks again for watching.

[@paulrunell7821]

always a joy to watch.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Paul.

[@INSPIRINGTRIPS]

Great place and video !! 🤗🥰

[@DaveFord]

Thank you 🤗

[@trevorread9115]

I’ve used that pub many times Dave it’s a gem & a great little museum as well long may it last

[@DaveFord]

I just love their cider!

[@GreyGhost.]

SUPERB channel. Many thanks from Cornwall.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Paul and indeed thank you for watching. :)

[@GreyGhost.]

My pleasure :)

[@alcollins5179]

We've seen some of this lovely scenery when we lived in Dorset. Thanks Dave.

[@DaveFord]

The Jurassic coastline certainly has it's own beauty. Thank you for watching.

[@RogerB747]

Best yet Dave, thank you

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Roger. :)

[@peterfrost5475]

A really lovely walk, I did a similar walk many, many years ago. You have encouraged me to do the same route again and I will start early in the morning perhaps this Autumn. Thank you Dave.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Peter. Hope you get to do the walk again. April / May is a good time - especially for the wild flowers.

[@cornwall_in_Squares]

Another beautiful walk with lots of great info. Those hills was one part of the coast. Those hills were not fun after walking from Minehead but so worth the effort for the views.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Martin. Yes, it certainly can get "undulating" there but as you say, worth the effort for those views. :)

[@christinegibbins6105]

What stunning views and love the village and its history. Thank you for sharing. Take care.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Christine. The sea was particularly "blue" that day which made the views even better!

[@ianluke3326]

Fantastic walk Dave and Logan. I love this walk myself and have done it many times, in all weathers! There’s always something rather magical about the coast path there I think. I felt your pain with those steps too!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Ian. Yes...my knees put in a formal complaint on that one!

[@AndoverFistQuizzes]

Fantastic work as ever Dave. This looks like a fun walk, now to convince my partner who doesn't like hills that this is worth a 2 hour drive :).

[@DaveFord]

Worth going, just to visit the Square & Compass pub at the end of the walk in Worth Matravers!

[@Kris-xy3kh]

Hi! We are staying in weymouth for a night and we dont have a car. What hike would be best for us? Would love to see some pretty nature and some castle/ruins would be super cool.

[@DaveFord]

Hi. With the help of a bus, you could try Sutton Poyntz (4 miles North of Weymouth) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHS3nqaParFmrKs or Portland kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6CYYmlmiblrnbs . I have a great walk at Upwey (on the outskirts of Weymouth) being published on the channel at 4pm on 28th June. Hope you have great weather for your visit.

[@decimustv4257]

I have done this walk (by accident), about the same time as when this video was filmed. But we bailed when we got to the bottom of those stone stairs. We were wiped out by that point and crossed through the fields to get back to our car.

[@DaveFord]

I think those steps down & up are the toughest part of the Jurassic Coast section of the South West Coast Path!

[@decimustv4257]

@@DaveFord I'll say :)

[@thesolitarycyclist9005]

Rather like the site of some lost ancient civilisation, Winspit. Some of those pillars in the quarry looked a little precarious however! The chapel always looks like one of those little orthodox churches you encounter in the Greek archipelago. Most unusual design for southern England makes one wonder whether whoever built it had travelled in Asia Minor.

[@DaveFord]

Always a magical place to visit with a real "atmosphere"!