logo Walking Britain
Home About Holidays FAQ Email MENU ☰

Old Harry & Ballard Down from Studland

Jurassic Coast Walk

Region - Jurassic Coast

County/Area - Dorset

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.3 miles / 8.6 km    Ascent - 600 feet / 182 metres

Time - 3 hours 20 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL15Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL15Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 195Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 195Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Old Harry & Ballard Down from Studland
Click image to see photo description.

The Jurassic Coast is a popular place to walk with many outstanding coastal features. This short walk using a section of the South West Coast Path starts from the village of Studland and takes you onto the high cliffs offering some spectacular views. There is a pay and display car park in the village (grid ref. SZ037825) although do remember that at busy times of the year spaces may be at a premium.

Exit the car park and turn right along Manor Road. Where this road swings right take the signed South West Coast Path on your left. This leads you almost immediately onto the coast with views on your left across the bay to Bournemouth. The route is never in doubt as you head towards 'Old Harry', the first of the many features encountered on this walk. The path swings right and almost immediately there is a spot where you can get a wonderful view of 'Old Harry'.

Continue along the coast path gradually ascending past the 'Pinnacles' towards Ballard Point. Keep the path closest to the clifftop here ignoring the Purbeck Way which branches off to the right. From Ballard Point the views open up with Swanage Bay some 400 feet below you to the south. There is a trig point marking the highest point. Like most popular areas, there are many paths so precise directions are impossible. However after enjoying the view you need make for the Ballard Down ridge so head uphill and follow the path along the highest point. This leads west across Ballard Down and it is worth following the path as far as the Obelisk (grid ref. SZ022813) from where an extensive panorama across the Dorset countryside can be enjoyed.

Retrace your steps across the Down as far as the stone seat (grid ref. SZ033812) on Studland Hill, which you should have passed walking out to the obelisk. Turn left here following the bridleway downhill passing the Glebeland Estate on your left. Reaching Scholl Lane, go half right along Church Lane towards the church. Just after the church take the path on your right that leads back to the car park.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1613 Studland & Old Harry Rockseasy/mod8.5 miles
Walk 2579 Purbeck Coast from Swanagemoderate10.0 miles
Walk 3286 Dancing Ledge & Durlston Head from Langton Matraverseasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 2925 St Aldhelm's Head near Worth Matravers easy4.1 miles
Walk 2145 Houns-tout Cliff from Kingstoneasy3.5 miles
Walk 1331 Kimmeridge & Tynehameasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 1534 Swyre Head & Tyneham Cap from Kimmeridgemoderate11.8 miles
Walk 1995 Houns-tout & Swyre Head from Kimmeridgemoderate8.7 miles
Walk 2568 Egmont Point & Kimmeridge Bay from Tynehammoderate14.0 miles
Walk 1533 Gad Cliff, Povington Hill & Tynehameasy/mod4.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking the Jurassic Coast

Walking the Jurassic CoastThis guidebook includes 30 walks on the Jurassic Coast of Devon and Dorset. Covering the coast between Exmouth and Bournemouth, these delightful routes range from 3 to 16 miles (5 to 24km), exploring and explaining the spectacular geology of this World Heritage area with clear, easily understood descriptions, cross-sections and timelines.
More information

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - St Ives to Plymouth

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - St Ives to PlymouthMap of part of the southern section of the 630 mile (1014km) South West Coast Path National Trail. Covers the trail from St Ives to Plymouth along the west Cornwall and Devon coastline. This convenient and compact booklet of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps shows the route, providing all of the mapping you need to walk the trail in either direction.
More information

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Facebook  Twitter

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.