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Spyway
Towering sea cliffs and grasslands rich in wild flowers
Langton Matravers, near Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3HG
Car park
Dogs allowed
Access to the car park is via a rough track which may not be suitable for all vehicles and parking is limited. There is level access to Spyway Barn. Access to the cliffs is via steep, uneven and sometimes muddy paths. There is no mobile reception from the coast.
Steps/uneven terrain
By road
What 3 words location: ///field.twinkled.plays B3069 to Langton Matravers, then follow Durnford Drove, signposted to Langton House. Continue along single track road on the right to Spyway car park.
Parking: Gravel carpark with limited unmarked spaces. In peak seasons an overflow grass car park is available.
Sat Nav: Postcode BH20 3HG
By bus
Morebus no.40, Poole to Wareham and Swanage. Alight Langton Matravers High Street/Durnford Drove and follow signs to Langton House. Continue along single track road on the right to Spyway car park.
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Spyway with your dog
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome at Spyway all year round. Find out more about where you can go and how you can help care for this protected landscape when visiting with your dog.
Highlights
Dancing Ledge
Centuries of stone quarrying have left their mark in the form of sea quarries like Dancing Ledge, popular for both picnics and adventure sports.
The South West Coast Path
Walk this route for spectacular views of the Jurassic Coast world heritage site as far as Portland, Dorset's southernmost point.
Wildlife spotting
A small colony of puffins nests in the limestone cliffs each spring, while butterflies and rare orchids hide among the rich grassland habitat.
Things to see and do
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Things to do at Spyway
Discover towering sea cliffs, scramble down to Dancing Ledge, stride out on a walk along the South West Coast Path, and walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs.
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Spotting puffins at Spyway
The puffin is one of Britain’s best loved birds and if you’re really lucky you might catch a glimpse of them at Spyway, where a small colony return each year.
Top trails
Activity
Walking at Spyway
Discover towering sea cliffs and rolling countryside at Spyway. Stroll along the clifftops or head inland to one of Dorset’s best-loved pubs.
Trail
South Purbeck cliffs walk
Sea views, former quarries and grassland rich in wildlife are some of the highlights on this bracing six-mile circular walk across South Purbeck cliffs.
Trail
Spyway sea saunter
Follow this flat, circular walk across rich grasslands for some dramatic sea views. There's a detour to the striking Dancing Ledge and a chance to see local wildlife.
Places to stay
Weston Farm Campsite
A meadow campsite just off the South West Coast Path, with walks inland to the Purbeck hills or to Chapman’s Pool on the Jurassic Coast.
Spyway
On a working farm not far from the sea, this cosy and contemporary, dog-friendly cottage has bags of charm and a great garden building.
Boar Mill Cottage
A former bakery, this intriguing and cosy cottage sits close to Corfe Castle with walking trails all around.
Middlebere Farmhouse
A picture-perfect thatch cottage with modern rustic interiors, close to Poole Harbour.
North Cottage
A cosy cottage attached to the larger farmhouse, with views of open heath and woodland.
Seaview
With views over Studland Bay, this former tennis pavilion makes a quirky holiday escape.
Greenlands
At the edge of Poole Harbour, with green fields all around this 1940s cottage has views to Brownsea Island.
Groom's Cottage
In the shadow of Corfe Castle, this former groom’s cottage is a quirky retreat in a historic village.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Spyway
A distinctive limestone landscape on the South Coast where sea birds soar and rare orchids hide among rich grasslands.
Centuries of stone quarrying have left their mark in the form of sea quarries like Dancing Ledge, popular for both picnics and adventure sports.
Footpaths and bridleways criss-cross farmland marked out with traditional dry stone walls.
The South West Coast Path affords spectacular views of the Jurassic Coast world heritage site as far as Portland.
Latest news
News
Gorse - the burning question
Gorse is a familiar and much-loved feature of our countryside, but this fast growing shrub needs control or it will take over heath or grassland.
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Glowing report for Weston Farm, Purbeck
Few things are more magical than the sight of glow-worms lighting up our hedgerows on summer evenings. And thanks to the help of volunteers, we can see that numbers of these enigmatic creatures are growing in some areas of Purbeck.
News
Wildlife-friendly winter walking at Studland
Walkers on the Studland peninsula have options for wildlife-friendly walking throughout the winter, thanks to a major upgrade to a popular track. The track, from Ferry Road to the beach, previously flooded whenever there was heavy rain making it inaccessible.
News
Farming for nature in Purbeck
With major changes to government subsidies for farmers, the National Trust in Purbeck is supporting its tenants to ensure they can run financially sustainable businesses while also helping restore nature.
News
National Trust sounds out speed dating for bats!
Winspit Quarry in Purbeck is a nationally-important ‘swarming’ site for bats, and this year the National Trust is using the combined forces of technology and dedicated volunteers to find out more about this after-dark activity.
News
New footpath opens at Weston Farm
Walkers can now explore a previously hidden area of Weston Farm, Worth Matravers. The National Trust has opened a new footpath which enables people to enjoy a secluded valley, a wealth of wildlife and spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and coastline.
News
Butterflies soar at Studland
One dazzling, one deliberately drab…populations of two very different species of butterfly have soared on our heathland in Studland.
News
Will cameras solve mystery of failing puffin colony?
Cameras which were monitoring a failing puffin colony near the National Trust’s Dancing Ledge in Purbeck have been removed. Volunteers are now studying thousands of images to see if they reveal any reasons as to why these iconic birds are dwindling there.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Spyway.