Our legendary Old Harry Rocks to Swanage walk

In brief

• 7.5 miles linear walk with bus return. 2.5 mile escape point if preferred.
• Bring packed lunch, water, sun cream, proper shoes and hat
• Swim option at Swanage so bring your budgie smugglers/bikini and towel
• Toilets 4+
• End time is a guesstimate

Contact number: David 07910 886629
The date of this walk has been brought forward (no longer 15th June) and is dependent upon Aaron, our walk leader, not being in hospital for a minor op.

Walk description and important information
A magnificent walk of outstanding natural beauty (and that's just being with other humanists) which explores a variety of terrain on this linear journey to the picture postcard town of Swanage. We will cross dunes, explore vast open beaches with ocean views, we will climb grassy slopes, traverse steps, venture through woodland and arrive in a mix of Victorian and 21st century architecture. Truly, what more could you want?!

This walk begins at the Shell Bay National Trust car park toilets. Starting here provides three methods of arrival:
● By bus: You can get the 50 bus (09:34 service from Bournemouth Square via Westbourne) and stay on it via ferry, getting off on the Shell Bay side around 10:20 or soon after
● By car and then ferry as a passenger: You can park on the Sandbanks side and hop over on the ferry.
● By car and car ferry: Park in the Shell Bay car park (pay, or park with pass) or park for free on street along road.

Start location

• Ferry Rd, Swanage BH19 3BA
• What 3 words: ///cover.tolls.hype

Whichever way you arrive, we assemble for our briefing at the toilet block at 10:25, give or take any ferry delays, and then proceed on the dunes path. Here we wind in and around the rear approaches of the naturist zone (no puns please – those are reserved for me) as we eventually arrive at the beach. Immediately, we are gifted an expansive view across to Old Harry Rocks and towards the full length of the Studland peninsula. Walking along here brings us to Knoll Beach, a toilet opportunity and café, before moving onwards towards the Studland National Trust car park. Anyone quitting this early at 2.5 miles in has the option to join the 50 bus route from here, but I know you came here to see Old Harry! This is the only ‘easy’ escape route.

We then take a few twists and turns as we pass Fort Henry, the Banks Arms and another toilet block – take advantage now as there aren’t as many opportunities hereafter. We then traverse a woodland path out towards Old Harry. As we emerge from the trail we are in open grass pasture land with views out to sea, across to Bournemouth, the Isle of Wight, Poole Bay and Studland below us. We stop here for lunch, picnicking on the grass. Bring your sponge seat pad if you have one.

After loading up on carbohydrates and drinks, I'll then lead you uphill. You'll be fine. After a gentle sloping incline we reach even more spectacular views, this time looking down towards Swanage, our final destination, and back from where we started. A little more climbing on this gravel track before reaching the summit for our journey, as we head forwards on a mix of tracks, trails, steps and paths, meandering through wooded copse before emerging onto another beach.

If we enjoy a beautiful sunny day like last time, we have the opportunity for a swim here. This is a picturesque quiet spot where we will likely have this beach all to ourselves, for a moment of calm, reflection, and wetness for those dipping or paddling. Depending on the ambient temperature, we might get a sighting of Homo Chairmanicus in his cozzie but there are no refunds if this rare sight fails to materialise.

After our cool off, we follow the beach along, leap frogging a few groynes, eventually reaching hard ground once again on the approach to Swanage. Chips on the front could be an option here, or straight onto the 50 bus, half hourly, and returning back to the start point. This bus can return you to the toilets we started if you parked here, Sandbanks if you parked there, Westbourne if you started here, or Bournemouth town centre. Single bus tickets are £3 for those paying. This is a trip not to be missed, least of all by me!

By attending this event you agree to the follow terms and conditions
Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Friendly dogs welcome. Risk assessments are undertaken for our walks and our walk leaders have some first aid training and kit but participants are expected to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and safety and walks are undertaken at your own risk. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring plenty of water and sunscreen/hat in sunny weather. Dorset Humanists cannot accept any liability for accident or injury incurred on public footways and byways.