Coastwalk , South West Coast Path

Swanage → Sandbanks

Distance: 7.93 miles
Ascent: 212 metres
Duration: 3 hours 24 minutes

The end
« Chapman's Pool | Christchurch »

The South West Coast Path is 630 miles long and it ends here.

Unlike most long-distance walkers reaching the Poole Ferry we're not in a position to celebrate. At 193 miles we've walked just one quarter of the National Trail but for the first time I realised we'd definitely complete the whole thing one day.

The high cliffs of Old Harry Rocks and the long sandy beach at Studland represent the path in miniature. Today's walk would make a good final chapter.

But our eyes are set beyond the south-west. The length of the entire British coast is harder to track down. Most measurements put it between six and seven thousand miles and by coincidence I've walked about a quarter of that too. I'm less sure about whether I'll ever complete it.

Still, there's no point leaving a job undone. There's plenty more rock and sand to see yet.