Puncknowle

A damp February day, with low clouds and sea-fog combining to give a generally murky atmosphere. This gallery explores the area at the western end of Chesil beach (an approx. 15km long tombolo) starting at the small linear collection of houses that is West Bexington (SY 534 868). The beach itself is some 5000–7000 years old and at this end of its length it is composed of small, mainly pea-sized, stones.

For a view of the eastern end of Chesil beach visit the Fortuneswell gallery.

Heading inland the hills climb steadily, reaching about 80m above sea-level at the village of Swyre. On this particular day the cloud level was just some few metres above this. The gallery then continues a short distance eastwards along the lanes to the village of Puncknowle (pronounced 'punnle') – with the weather the way it was there was no temptation to stop and rest on the bench there! The route then turns southwards, crossing several muddy and waterlogged fields as it passes back over the coastal ridge to the sea.

The small tree ? ... dedicated to Dr Richard St. Barbe-Baker OBE, founder of 'men of the trees' now the 'International Tree Foundation'. On a day out in Dorset there is always something of interest to be seen, even in the rain.