D102: BURTON BRADSTOCK to LYME REGIS
Monday 22nd May 2023
Today miles: 12.4 Total miles: 1721.7
Despite the detailed and insistent advice offered by my campsite host last night I decided to head back to the coast where I had left it last night. There’s a minor stream, named Burton Freshwater to cross in the first half hour, but there’s also a handily placed footbridge just before Bridport Holiday Park. As I approached the steps ascending East Cliff on my way to West Bay I can see there’s a length of tape across the path and a ‘Beach Closed’ sign. I checked the map and decided to risk crossing the cliff. If necessary I could jump the fence onto Bridport Golf Club and walk across there if there’s any real sign of danger. On my walk around the coastal path this happens pretty regularly and although I agree that a warning sign might be appropriate (if only to avoid litigation) I don’t believe the entire path should necessarily have been closed. As it happens the cliff collapse was a good distance (20mts +) away from the SWCP and I didn’t feel there was any significant risk. The route down into West Bay was fairly steep and there’s another length of tape to sneak around at the bottom.
I needed to top up my water bottle at West Bay but the toilets are out of order, which seems to be a disappointingly common feature in Dorset. I walked around the Marina encountering several dog walkers, cyclists and the occasional runner. The walk over West Cliff towards Seatown was uneventful and the half dozen steep ascents and descents were covered with a nice carpet of dry grass. I arrived at Seatown and finally, finally managed to find a public toilet which wasn’t broken. There’s a nice path ascending up to Golden Cap which at 191mts above sea level had some awesome, 360 degree views. After another (short) break I left Golden Cap and over the next three miles there were more gentle ups and downs towards Charmouth.
The route now heads inland in order to avoid the steep cliffs at ‘The Spittles’. Initially the route through the Main Street of Charmouth was pleasant enough but the mile along the A3052 was noisy and I was pleased to finally leave the road. There’s a strange detour on the South West Coast Path as I approached Lyme Regis. The route leaves the minor road and unnecessarily takes me for a few hundred metres through the overgrown copse at Timber Hill and then back onto the road again. Absolutely pointless. The coast at Lyme Regis was packed. I tried to grab a gas canister for my stove but none of the stores in Lyme Regis had the type I needed, just hope the one I’ve got lasts out for the next few days. A relatively short day with some great walking and excellent views from Golden Cap.
Werewolfandflump UK Coast Path 