It was my second day on my cycle touring mini-adventure and I’d had a decidedly average nights’ sleep. This was the result of the group of revellers in the adjacent pitch making an already half-drunk decision at 9:30pm to go to the pub. Without trying to sound like a grumpy old man, I’m all for people enjoying themselves, but there is a time and a place for raucous shouting and drunken antics. In hindsight I should have had a word, but they sounded like they were enjoying themselves a little too much.
I packed up my gear and popped down to reception to grab some shower tokens. I was told by an equally grumpy old man (he was three times my age at least) that the shop didn’t open until 8am and that I wouldn’t be able to get a shower token until then.
“What time is it?” he asked.
“Eight o’clock” I replied, “and here’s my 25 pence”.
I enquired in the shop about taking my bike across the fields and to the cliffs. I was told it could be done so decided to give it a shot. The track led over the fields behind the campsite.
The footpath got steeper as I neared the cliffs and I feared that I wouldn’t actually be able to bring my fully-laden bike back up. It was a risk I was willing to make however, the views at Dancing Ledge were fantastic.
Within 100 metres there were climbers, abseilers, sea kayakers, trekkers and coasteerers (not a word). This was truly an adventure playground! A shelf of rock jutted out into the sea onto which a group abseiled as the sun heated the cove nicely.
I continued west along the coastal path.
I came to a large inlet and decided to try my luck by getting back up to the road. The track steepened as I passed some confusing-looking walkers. Some steps really cemented the difficulty stakes.
I was thrilled to reach the tarmac as I entered the village of Worth Matravers. I felt like I’d deserved a coffee so stopped in the delightful Worth Matravers Tea & Supper Room. It was like stepping back in time as I entered. Bunting hung from the rafters, a vast array of china cups & tea pots lined the shelves, the counter was packed with delicious looking local produce and Frank Sinatra serenaded the elderly couple sat drinking tea. What a treat!
After a lovely coffee I got back on the bike and cycled over to the pretty village of Corfe Castle. The village is popular with tourists and today was no exception. People milled around the square eating ice cream and local pasties as they waited to visit the imposing ruins of the castle. I had my first lunch of the day sat in the sun outside the bakery.
From Corfe Castle I headed over to Lulworth Cove. The road climbed up from Corfe Castle to a stunning ridge. I was soon whizzing down following two women on racing bikes. Lulworth Cove is a pretty place with turquoise waters, a cafe and some incredible views.
I was really enjoying myself and, although my plan was to head back home that evening, I just couldn’t! I did some research on a campsite to stay in that evening and found Norden Farm Campsite.
Put quite simply, this is one of the best campsites I have ever stayed on (and the list is endless!). As the name suggests, the campsite is set in the grounds of a working farm, along with newly-born lambs, an array of bird life, goats, cows, dogs…
Several huge fields form the actual campsite, along with two superb purpose-built ablution blocks. The showers were incredible, the perfect way to end a great day on the bike.
I hadn’t cycled as far as I’d hoped and hadn’t ended up where I thought I would, but it had been fantastic nonetheless. The Dorset Coast had charmed and enticed me, I was hooked! The weather forecast again looked good for the following day, I really needed to get home.
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