Dorset Walks

Friday September 28th Kingston - Swyre Head

Directions:

From Corfe take the A351 south towards Swanage
Immediately after leaving Corfe turn right onto the B3069 to Kingston
After the very steep hill up to Kingston turn right by the Scott Arms
Drive west along this minor road for nearly a mile until you see a small car park on the left

From the car park Swyre Head is only a mile or so along a fairly level track but has some of the best views anywhere. The dry stone walls here are particularly fine and the clear air promotes a large diversity of lichens - just don't ask me to name them! A wall in the village opposite the church has a small colony of the rare Rustyback Fern.

At 682 feet, Swyre Head is the highest point in the Purbecks and on a clear day the view is amazing! As well as the view we should see plenty of migrant birds, probably including Wheatears, pipits and birds of prey such as Kestrels or perhaps an early Merlin. There should still be a few butterflies about, with Clouded Yellow a distinct possibility.