Church Knowle, West Circular Route
This is an excellent 1 ½ mile family walk giving great views with no strenuous climbs, and what ascending you have is in the first half of the walk. Also, if you have children, you have the play area at the end plus an excellent pub and beer garden awaiting you.
Walk details:-
As you leave the car park, turn right and proceed using the right-hand pavement through the picturesque village for about ¼ mile. Do not turn right at the large finger sign for Swyre Head but continue to just past the ‘S’ bend.
Just after the bend, and just after St Peter’s church, take the track to the left, signposted Public Bridleway.
After 100 metres, you will meet 4 gates. Take the 2nd gate from the left which takes you directly behind the wooden building on your right. Follow the path for 150 metres up to the base of the Ridgeway.
Here, you meet the path which runs along the base of the Ridgeway with Corfe Castle signposted to your right. However, at this gate turn left, signposted ‘Cocknowle ½ mile’, but for 10 metres only then bear right up the small path.
Follow this for 70 metres to the next stile (care as you cross this stile as the terrain slopes away from you on the far side). Turn right and follow the path for about 500 metres up onto the Ridgeway.
As you approach the Ridge, bear left toward the Trig point (150 metres) where you will get panoramic 360 degree views across to Poole harbour, along to Tyneham Cap on the coastal path and down the valley towards Swanage.
Continue past the Trig Point for 1/3 mile down to the road. Here, turn sharp left and proceed with care down the road for approx 250 metres on the right, taking care with the blind bend just past the house on the right and thatched cottages on your left.
Just after that bend and just after the gate to Cocknowle cottage, turn left onto the track, signposted ‘Church Knowle ½ mile’. Go over the stile after 20 metres and head straight ahead to the gate in the corner of the field (300 metres). After this gate, bear slightly right toward the playing field where there is a stile in the corner of the field which faces you (150 metres).
Go over this stile and head for the gate 100 metres ahead of you with the play area to your right and football pitch on your left. Go through the small gate, turn left and the car park is 40 metres on your right.
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