Southern England – Abbotsbury, Dorset

Distance: 12km/7½ miles
Time: 4hrs
Type: Downland and coast
Where: Circular walk from Abbotsbury via Abbotsbury Castle, West Bexington and Chesil Beach.
Start/End: Car park in Abbotsbury, next to church (SY578853).
Terrain: Grassy chalk downland, level track/path alongside Chesil Beach.
Maps: OS Explorer OL15; Landranger 194.

Situated amidst gently rolling downland behind the great Chesil Beach, Abbotsbury is one of the most picturesque and historically interesting villages in Dorset. Its 970-year-old Swannery is unique: the only place in the world where you are able to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting mute swans. Both the Swannery and Children’s Farm are excellent for children, making this a very family-friendly place for a visit and walk. This route should be within the capabilities of most, except the very young, with shorter options available. The outward leg leads along a ridge-top path to the north-west of the village via an Iron-Age hill fort called Abbotsbury Castle, with excellent views all the way. It then heads down to the coast and returns alongside Chesil Beach. A short detour at the end to climb Chapel Hill to St Catherine’s Chapel affords one of the loveliest viewpoints around.

Click here to download a route card

Click here to download the GPS data for this route as a GPX file

Click below to see a route profile and view the route on an Ordnance Survey map

Click here for instructions on how to use Walk’s Routemaster Guides

Click here to upload photos taken along this route

« Back to Walks homepage