Length: 17.8 km (11.1 mi)
Ascent/Descent: 493/485m
Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ¾ hours
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Take the 10.21 Bus Line X53 to Axminster from Weymouth King’s Statue Stand 6 (calls Weymouth Station at 10.25 - the 09.56 train from Dorchester South arrives at 10.07), arrives Abbotsbury, Ilchester Arms at 10.56.
Return buses: X53 from West Bay, George Hotel at 15.43, 16.43, 17.48, 18.40, 20.23 to Weymouth.
This is an easy coast walk along the sweeping curve of Lyme Regis Bay, with great views, great swimming and great beach cafés! It starts with a ridge walk with a fabulous view over the curve of the bay and back to the Isle of Portland. The route then descends to the beach and low cliff tops, and follows the South West Coast Path ("SWCP"), still with lovely views of the sweeping bay passing several remote beaches. You can swim in many places.
The walk starts in Abbotsbury (Swannery, Subtropical Gardens, the start of the Chesil Beach spit) with a short but recommended out-and-back detour to climb a small hill with St Catherine's chapel (viewpoint, free if open). After returning to the town, it then climbs onto the downs above it, and follows the ridge for 4 km (the 'South Dorset Ridgeway') above the coast with fine views over the curve of the bay. It then drops down to the beach, from where the route follows low cliff tops or the beach for the remainder of the route.
Starting at Wext Bexington beach (upmarket beach café), you pass Cogden Beach (remote), Hive Beach (gastro beach café and a hotel pub), and Burton Cliff before reaching a small river (the Bride). You can paddle across at low tide, or take a 400m out-and-back detour inland to a bridge.
Burton Freshwater beach has a caravan park, from here is 2 km to West Bay, a small seaside town with a harbour, and the setting for the Broadchurch TV series. It has a pub, cafes, several shops and eateries, and a bus stop.
The ridge top route at the start is a little close to a road in places, but its views more than make up for it. If you prefer, there is a peaceful beach level alternative along the official SWCP.
Walk Options:
Visit St Catherine's Chapel - A bit longer, and up a hill: do make the short out-and-back detour near the start to visit the iconic St Catherine's Chapel, on a small hill above the town, with views of the Chesil Beach spit.
SWCP along Chesil Beach - Same distance, but avoids most of the ascent: The ridge top start is nicer, but involves climbing the ridge and some road noise. An alternative start is to follow the official SWCP route instead, down to Abbotsbury's beach (passing the Chapel), and following the beach path. This option joins up with the main route after about 3.5 km of beach walking at West Bexington beach.
Short Circular Walk - Start with the ridge route to West Bexington beach, and return along the beach route, stopping off at West Bexington's beach café, Chesil Beach, the Subtropical Gardens and St Catherine's Chapel along the way.
Lunch and Tea: several cafés en route, check the webpage for details.
For summary, map, height profile, walk directions, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.327