Sunday 1 August 2010 – 10am sharp start
Waterfalls, rock platforms, lagoons and wonderful shingle bays are all on offer in this magical mystery swimming tour. This will be another first for the Club and an event you cannot afford to miss. We will be on a mission to swim in some of the most beautiful places in the Purbecks. These are iconic by nature and we are planning a route which will take you through an area of mindbending natural beauty.
Our Route and swim locations
We leave our cars and start our journey from the car park at the end of Durnford Drove, Langton Matravers (via narrow track just past Langton House). We walk south past Spyway Barn to Dancing Ledge.
Swim 1; Dancing Ledge: Swim in the pool/ jump off the ledge and swim in the sea
We leave Dancing ledge and take the South West coast path to Winspit.
Swim 2: Winspit: descend by waterfall to rock platform. Old quarries on right, lagoon on left with jumps from rock table.
We leave Winspit and continue along the SW coast path via St Aldhelms Head (glorious sea views) to Chapman’s Pool
Swim 3 Chapman’s Pool: a well earned swim in this beautiful place. A rounded grey shingled bay
We have a short walk back to the car park near Renscombe Farm to be driven to the “Square and Compass” for a well earned lunch.
After Lunch
We then drive on to Tynham and leave our cars in the car park, walking by the deserted village, which was left by the villagers during the Second World War on the promise from the MOD that they would return when hostilities ceased. This of course never happened and the village remains in a timewarp, a magical but eerie place. From the village, we walk to Warbarrow Bay.
Swim 4: Warbarrow Bay: a gentle swim to soothe aching limbs
We retrace our steps back to the car park and drive to Lulworth Cove (cars parked £4 for 2-4 hours and I think can be used at Durdle Door as it is all part of the Lulworth Estate)
Swim 5 & 6: Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole: Most of you have swum at Lulworth Cove but how about Stair Hole?
Have you still got any energy left for the stiff climb up the hill and on to Durdle Door (just under a mile) or shall take the car?
Swim 7: Durdle Door: This truly iconic location is the finale of our tour. as we make our way down onto the beach and swim through the Door (no tombstoning, please!)
After our last swim of the day, it is back to the car park and maybe a celebratory drink at Harry’s Bar on the caravan site above.
Equipment
You will need: money for any car park fees and lunch, a rucksack, good walking boots / shoes, swimming equipment, flip-flops for walking on the beach, maybe packed sandwiches etc for teatime or during the day and plenty of water.
And finally
Those of you who have been in the club for some time will know that there is always a Plan B. This programme is not carved in tablets of stone and we may vary it along the way. What we do promise is a day to remember and a swimming experience through some of the most beautiful countryside in the world!
To join us for the day, please give Bob Holman a ring (tel: 01305-848262) or email bob.holman@tiscali.co.uk. Anyone who could provide a back-up car and driver would of course be most welcome!