St.Aldhelm's Head is a couple of miles south of Worth Matravers and is steeped in history that spans at least the last 1000 years but probably way before that. A Norman chapel sits atop an outcrop that itself rises over 100m high above the sea. It sits within an even older enclosure that points to history that goes back a great deal further than the building itself. More recent history has lead to cliff-side quarrying that has taken a large bite from the land and a huge Second World War Two radar station that disappeared almost over night on the orders of a worried Mr.Churchill. Coastguard cottages built in 1895 sit, apparently isolated from the rest of the world, no longer needed to house lifeboatmen that had to travel by horse and cart to the lifeboat in Chapman's Pool below.
An evening walk is perfect here at any time of the year, but in the Summer it is just about perfect. As the Sun sets behind the distant hills, Peregrines can be heard screaming as they hunt from the cliffs, Roe deer wander slowly through the fields and a solitary Hare dodges the combines and tries to stay within the safety of uncut crops.
If you want more than this, try to photograph the many Wheatear that play hide and seek as you walk the track. These beautiful little birds are always great fun to watch and will keep you on your toes.
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| St Aldhelm's Chapel |
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| Radar Memorial |
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| Wheatear |
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| Wheatear |
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| Roe Buck |
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| A Sunset Hare |
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