Swyre Head

Joe Jackson

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This is only a short walk with one main goal and that is to reach the summit of Swyre Head.

The route starts on the edge of the Encombe Estate and follows a path across an open field to the summit path, which skirts the hill high above Encombe House (do look for the country manor-house, it's huge!) The path leads you straight up to the trig point and nearby tumulus, which mark the highest point in the Purbeck Hills at 208m above sea level.

The view from the summit is breathtaking, especially west along the jagged cliffs all the way to Portland over ten miles away. The route continues along the escarpment north-west for a short distance before joining a path that leads you back inland to the car park and offers distant views of Corfe Castle, so bring some binoculars or a good zoom camera for a unique view of this breathtaking castle!

It is a perfect walk for a spare hour or two in the evening and one not to be missed.

England - South West England - Dorset - Coast