WALK No 15.

Swannery at Abbotsbury

 

 

Park in the large carpark at the eastern end of Abbotsbury and start the walk by leaving by the south west corner. In a few yards turn left (S.P. Tithe Barn) downhill on gravel path to come out on to narrow road. Turn left here and continue on road past the Swannery carpark. When the road then turns sharp right you go straight ahead up bank, over stile and up left hand side of field, then over stone wall.Turn right and start off heading south east up one of the narrow paths, but in a few yards turn sharp left and head for direction post. There turn south east again and head up hill to further post at the top of the hill. (Pause here to see distant views of the Swannery). At the top of the ridge the trail gradually turns to head due East for about a mile.

Go past a stone marker (Ferrybridge) and two more stiles to reach a 'T' junction of paths. If you have had enough after that early climb, then turn left through steel gate and head north up grassy track for a short cut (~3 miles).To continue with the main walk however go over the stone wall and immediately turn right (Ferrybridge 8 1/2).Now go downhill heading south, with Hodders Coppice on your right. At the end of the wood go over stile and turn left (S.P. East Fleet) keeping by the hedge until you reach road.

Cross the road and head uphill, keeping to the left hand side of the field. At the top turn right (S.P. Coastal Path).Over next stile, then go right, round corner of Wyke Wood.You are now heading south and continue downhill, keeping close to edge of wood. Eventually come out on to a metalled lane where you cross a small stream, and immediately turn left into field (S.P. East Fleet). The road ahead is private - and says so. Head away from the stream on your left and soon see a signpost pointing to a further stile. This stile has awkward 'stepping' posts, so go through a steel gate just to your left. Straight on for a short distance then left through two wooden gates, and immediately sharp right.

Now continue along edge of fields, keeping close to undergrowth on your right. Reach a T junction and turn right (S.P. Weymouth). You are now at the edge of the Fleet, which stretches from Portland Harbour to Abbotsbury Swannery (More details in Oddnotes). Keep to the path round the fringe of reseeded fields, until you reach some derelict tin sheds.Turn left (S.P. Langton Herring) up tarred track to enter the village.Then downhill , ignore a road to your right and go down steep narrow lane into dip, and up the other side. Come out onto the main road, running East-West, where you turn left downhill. At the end of the village the road swings right so continue along it up to the top of the next ridge (Rodden Ridge).

There turn left through two metal gates, and after the second turn right to head downhill to next gate by water trough. Head across next field to reach stile in undergrowth. Over the stile then cross stream and head across open field, bearing slightly right to head for large gap between hedge on your left and undergrowth to your right.Through this gap then keep right by stream to see gate in the distance with a signpost beside it so make for the gate where you turn right on to country road. ( The line of this section of right of way is taken from Leisure Map 15. Some older maps show slightly different routes).

Continue on road past a house then left through steel gate (Bridleway arrow) and head uphill to left of gorse bushes. At the top of the hill go through waymarked gap in fence. Keep to left hand side of field, to go through further gate. Now keep fence on right. Yet another gate now continue on grassy track to top of ridge. Then down to come out on to metalled lane where you turn right to go down into West Elworthy village. Reach a T junction where you turn left (S.P. Abbotsbury). You are now on a gravel lane which can get very muddy. Head west along this track, and soon see a pathway arrow to your left which is where the short cut joins.

Continue west keeping to line of posts across wide field. Then another gate and keep going west when the hedge goes away to your right. Across open field again then downhill through steel gate. Immediately turn right through another waymarked gate (Boundary sign). Keep to track which brings you out on to the main road where you turn left. Take care - its a busy road and there is no path to walk on, but its only a short distance to the entrance to Abbotsbury, and the carpark is a little further on to your left.

 

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