West Bexington to Abbotsbury Walk

3.8 miles (6.1 km)

This walk takes you along the South West Coast Path from West Bexington to Abbotsbury. The route runs for just under 4 miles following Chesil Beach south east for nearly 3 miles before heading inland to Abbostsbury, passing Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens on the way.
This attractive section of the Dorset coast forms part of the Jurassic Coast, with superb views over Lyme Bay and the dramatic shingle barrier of Chesil Beach.... Leaving West Bexington, the route follows easy paths through flower-rich coastal grassland, where butterflies, skylarks and a variety of seabirds can often be seen during the spring and summer months.
The path approaches Abbotsbury with excellent views across the Fleet Lagoon, the largest tidal lagoon in England and one of the country's most important wetland habitats. The lagoon supports internationally significant populations of wildfowl and wading birds, while the surrounding coastline provides a striking contrast between the open waters of Lyme Bay and the sheltered waters of the Fleet.
Turning inland, the route passes the famous Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens before entering the historic village of Abbotsbury. The village is renowned for its honey-coloured stone cottages and its links with the 11th-century Benedictine abbey. Walkers may also wish to visit the nearby Abbotsbury Swannery, the world's only managed colony of nesting mute swans, and theAbbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, one of the finest gardens of its kind in Britain. The climb to Abbotsbury Castle Iron Age hillfort rewards walkers with magnificent panoramic views over Chesil Beach, the Fleet Lagoon and the Jurassic Coast, making this one of the highlights of the Dorset coast.