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Dancing Ledge

2.49 miles (4 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Visit this lovely area of the Dorset coast on this circular walk to Dancing Ledge. The walk starts at the car park in the pretty village of Langton Matravers and descends to the coast through some attractive countryside.  Dancing Ledge is so called because when the waves wash over the surface of the rocks it appears as the the ledge is 'dancing'. It's a very pretty spot with lovely views down the coast and the option of continuing to Seacombe Cliff and the nearby village of Worth Matravers.
To extend your walk you could pick up the South West Coast Path and head east towards Swanage and Durlston Country Park. Our Purbeck Circular Walk also passes the site so you could pick this up and explore the beautiful Isle of Purbeck.

Postcode

BH19 3LD - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Dancing Ledge OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Dancing Ledge Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Back in Langton Matravers you could enjoy some post walk refreshment in The Kings Arms. They serve good quality food which you can enjoy in the sun trap garden during the warmer months. You can find them on the High Street at postcode BH19 3HA for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The country and coastal trails make for a bracing dog walk. The Kings Arms mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Photos

Dancing Ledge from the west - geograph.org.uk - 1025258

The ledge viewed from the west. Looking east across Dancing Ledge from the edge of the old quarry floor. There are no beaches on this stretch of concordant coastline and this is one location where people can get down to sea level (after a scramble down the short cliff onto the gently sloping ledge). Just beyond the ledge is Green Point where a waterfall trickles down at a fault and the cliff is bright green with moss and algae.

Limestone grassland above Dancing Ledge - geograph.org.uk - 1625668

Limestone grassland above Dancing Ledge. This part of the Purbeck coastline is managed by the National Trust.

Quarry spoil at Dancing Ledge - geograph.org.uk - 1625724

Quarry spoil. Looking down on to the floor of the disused quarry.

Steps descending into the quarry, Dancing Ledge - geograph.org.uk - 1626224

Steps descending into the quarry

Footpath to Langton Matravers from the Priest's Way - geograph.org.uk - 1027581

Footpath to Langton Matravers from the Priest's Way. This footpath leads straight to Garfield Lane in Langton Matravers, past Tom's Field campsite (on the left). The walkers are headed in the opposite direction to the Priest's Way on the limestone plateau.

Horses grazing near Blackers Hole - geograph.org.uk - 766205

Horses grazing near Blackers Hole

Footpath heading North to Langton Matravers - geograph.org.uk - 268832

Footpath heading North to Langton Matravers

Small quarry near Spyway Barn - geograph.org.uk - 1627603

Small quarry near Spyway Barn. The barn is National Trust owned and contains information boards telling you about the walks and conservation works in the area.

Elevation Profile

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Dancing Ledge.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Dancing Ledge.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)