Knoll House - Handfast Point - Studland

Richard Hardy

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Knoll House to Handfast Point via Agglestone and Fort Henry

Starting from the National Trust car park by the beach near Knoll House Hotel, this walk traverses a variety of stunning landscapes: the gorse heaths around the Agglestone, the rolling grasslands of Ballard Down, the seascapes of the Pinnacles and Handfast Point and the beaches of Studland Bay. The walk also visits Fort Henry with its newly installed information boards explaining the part Studland played in the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. Now that's not bad for a six-mile walk.

England - South West England - Dorset - Purbecks

Features

Cafe, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Moor, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Sea, Tea Shop, Toilets

10/13/2023 - Mike Ford

Superb walk with variations: beach, woodland, heath, downland and wonderful views across the isle of Purbeck and coastal views. We started and finished the walk at the the NT CP next to Banks Inn point 15.

2/23/2015 - Frank Lee

Thank's Richard for sharing this amazing walk with us. A definite 5 star rating as we both fealt elated at the finish. the weather was cold but sunny and with clear instruction it was a very enjoyable trek. I am a Geocacher and the walk had the added bonus of several geocaches on route. Thank's again.

6/15/2013 - Richard Hardy

Due to land slippage near Studland there is a short diversion at point 14. Do not turn right and go down on to the beach as the steps back up from the beach at point 15 are at this time no longer useable. Follow the diversion annotated on the following website http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/faq/route-changes/south-beach-studland/ Fort Henry can still be visited as the diversion returns you to the original route near it. Once it's clear whether this is a temporary or permanent diversion I will amend the walk with photos etc if necessary

8/26/2012 - Kai Chandler

This is a classic Dorset walk - one of the very best! It boasts stunning views from the Purbecks towards Brownsea Island, Sandbanks, Poole and Bournemouth beaches with the Isle of Wight to the East. The walk includes the remarkable 400Tonne sandstone Agglestone Rock and the second world war Fort Henry, not to mention one of the best pubs in the area. It's easy to follow except for finding the steps up to Fort Henry near the end of the walk: the steps are to the left of beachhut number 60b! Be prepared to pay £9 to park at the car park unless you are already a National Trust member but this does go towards local conservation!

6/25/2012 - Richard Hardy

Didn't have the dogs with me on this walk, however there is some road walking, a crossing of a golf course and some unfenced cliff edges so plenty of on-lead walking will be necesary. Beach restrictions may also apply.