Dorset climbs/routes (from Swanage)

gingermagician

Looking for a few tips on good riding around the Swanage area.

Any advice on climbs worth heading for, together with coast road diversions and good loops in and out of the town (c. 3-4 hours), would be much appreciated.

stifflersmom

You won't go far wrong following the Jurassic Beast routes (https://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/event ... -sportive/)...its a lovely area to ride. The Church Knowle/East Creech/ Povington Hill/East Lulworth section is a must do (the descent into East Lulworth is fantastic). Unfortunately you can't ride to Durdle Door but it is worth a diversion (you can walk down from the Durdle Door Holiday Park). You must visit the Square and Compass at Worth Matravers, fantastic no nonsense pub with great views over Dancing Ledge out to the channel. The Scott Arms at Kingston is also worth a visit - get there at sundown for a great view over Corfe Castle. The Corfe model village tea room Courtyard Cafe does the best Dorset apple cake. Enjoy! I'm heading there at the end of August for a day or two's riding, can't wait.

Dorset_Boy

Head north at some point towards Bulbarrow - highest point in east Dorset. there's lots of ways up, and great views on a clear day.
Go Wareham, Bere Regis, Milborne St Andrew, then up through Milton Abbas, left at the top of the ramp and keep straight, up through 'spooky wood' to the top. If you have time, drop down to Ibberton, south to Woolland, and up the beast of a climb back to the top, then down towards Ansty, Dewlish & back to Milborne St Andrew.

If you have transport, you could drive to Blandford and work your way to Shaftesbury and up Zig Zag hill, down through Tollard Royal, onto Sixpenny Handley, Witchampton, past Tarrant Rushton airfield (where the first D-Day gliders took off) and back to Blandford.

Or head towards Lulworth, Owermoigne, Osmington, Preston beach, even all the way to Portland Bill, and back via Warmwell and Wool.

I wouldn't bother heading east and across the ferry as you'll just get stuck in Poole & Bournemouth!

If going west, do just check that the firing ranges aren't operating or you might get taken out by a tank shell!

gingermagician

Thanks for the advice, gents - extremely grateful for such a thorough to-do list

@stifflersmom - have a great trip!

davidof

Swanage, home of the legendary Terry Icke so it must be good cycling terrain. Head up from Swanage to Studland (Saxon church + pub) then Corfe Castle direction on a hilly road, you can take the right turn onto Thrasher's lane look at the nodding donkeys. At Corfe take the Church Knowle then East Creech road then up Grange Hill then over Kimmeridge way then back via Kingston, Worth then Langton Mattravers.

Smallpox cure invented by a Worth Mattravers resident Benjamin Jesty.