14 of us met at the Encombe estate car park at Kingston. We started our walk with the sun breaking through the clouds to Hounds-tout Cliff to meet the South West Coast path on the Jurassic Coast. From Hounds-tout we headed west down the very steep hill using the fence for support,  passing the waterfall at Egmont Bight (which can only be seen from the sea), Rope Lake Head, Clavell’s Hard on the Kimmeridge Ledges and finally climbing up the hill to the Clavell Tower.

Clavell Tower was built by the Revered John Richards of Smedmore House about 1830 as an observatory and Folly. It is 11 metres high and stands on Hen Cliff 100 metres above sea level. It is now owned by the Landmark Trust and was moved 25 metres to its present position away from the cliff in 2006 / 2008 due to the cliff erosion. From there descending the steps arriving at our picnic site by the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve in Kimmeridge Bay.

After our visit to Kimmeridge Bay we headed inland along the Hardy Way to Kimmeridge Village where we refreshed ourselves with Ice cream and drinks at Clavell’s Restaurant before the long climb up to Swyre Head 208 metres above sea level and the Highest point on the Isle of Purbeck with its spectacular views along the Jurassic Coast. Leaving Swyre Head we had a heavy shower walking back to our cars. Then we all drove to our leader’s house for much needed tea and refreshments.