Click on the links in blue for more details. The trail begins on the edge of Poole Harbour, Britain's largest natural harbour and, deceptively, begins with the long flat stretch of Studland Bay. Here important wartime training exercises took place preparing for the D-Day landings, well illustrated at the Fort Henry bunker at the lower end of the beach. Beyond the chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks, a geological continuation of the distant Needles, lies the delightful and relatively quiet resort of Swanage with its steam train link to the inland ruins of Corfe Castle. At Durlston Head stands a Victorian castle with an impressive stone globe. The nearby Durlston Country Park has an excellent interactive visitor centre and leafletted wildlife walks. The cliffs of Purbeck stone beyond show evidence of earlier extensive quarrying. Boats came alongside the cliffs to be loaded with stone to be taken for major building work in London and other cities. You may also spot dolphins here. At Cannon Cove a cannon is a reminder of early 19th century fears of an imminent French invasion. The 12th century chapel at St. Aldhem's Head was both a place of pilgrimage and a navigational aid. Some long steep descents and climbs along more easily eroded cliffs lie ahead. Erosion has been so great that the 19th century Clavell Tower has recently been moved 200 yards further inland. The eastward tilt of the shale rocks can be seen in both the cliff face and the sloping ledges at low tide. In Kimmeridge itself a small oil well is still in operation.

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