 Planning a Jurassic Coast walk
I'm planning a walking and camping trip along the Jurassic coast which runs along the south coast of England from Studland near Poole to Exmouth. It's a 95 mile part of the South West Coast Path, a World Heritage Site, and a beautiful part of the country with many scenic stretches - Durdles Door, Old Harry's Rocks and Lulworth Cove to name a few.
Not uninfluential in my decision of where to go is the £20.50 economy apex return ticket available from National Express, travelling from Oxford to Poole.
So it's time to make sure I'll have everything I need - good waterproof shell jacket and overtrousers, warm clothing, OS map, tent, and everything else on my camping checklist.
I've been to this part of the country before, about a decade ago, and lived in Boscombe for a while. I got some good photos, and enjoyed walking the coast from Christchurch east of Bournemouth, to Old Harry's Rocks west of Poole and next to the Studland Nature Reserve. I plan to spend a couple of days at The Studland Nature Reserve, where I saw my first and so far only british snake. The reserve is home to all 6 of britains reptiles, and I hope to see more this time. Then I'll travel on towards Exmouth, watching rock pools and hopefully foraging some coastal cuisine, before turning back after one week of my planned two weeks. Though there is a bus service for Jurassic coast walkers.
I've decided to go in April, as according to the Met Office's data, it is by far the driest month. They have more interesting data here.
A map of the area is foremost in my mind at the moment. I should know beforehand where there are sources of water, and towns where I can stock up on food. The South West Coast Path is a National Trail, and there is an official National Trail guide . Or there is the OS South Dorset & Purbeck map for the Jurassic Coast part. Having pondered the number of OS maps that I'd need to walk the whole Coast Path, I've decided to sketch my own map before I go, and add extra things on the way, it'll be more fun!
Some photos I took in 1999:
Studland Nature Reserve
Christchurch beach huts
Purbeck coast, looking back towards Old Harry's Rocks
Purbeck coast
Lulworth Cove
Old Harry's Rocks
Sunset over the Dorset coast
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