Swyre Head

Infobox Mountain
Name = Swyre Head
Photo = Swyre_Head.jpg
Caption = Swyre Head from the north-east
Elevation = 208 m (682 ft)
Location = Purbeck Hills, England
Range =
Prominence = 150 m
Parent peak = Lewesdon Hill
Coordinates =
Topographic
OS "Landranger" 195
Type =
Age =
First ascent =
Easiest route =
Grid_ref_UK = SY934784
Listing = Marilyn
Translation =
Language =
Pronunciation =

Swyre Head is the highest point of the Purbeck Hills and the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, on the south coast of England. Although not very high, its relative height is such that it qualifies as a Marilyn. The chalk hill is part of the extensive Southern England Chalk Formation. It should not be confused with another Dorset hill called Swyre Head, located at gbmapping|SY799805, to the west of Durdle Door.

The hill commands extensive views, including west past the Isle of Portland to Dartmoor, and east to the Isle of Wight, as well as north across the Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour and the other Purbeck Marilyn, Nine Barrow Down. To the west, the folly of Clavell Tower can also be seen.

Set back about 800 metres (half a mile) from the coast, the hill is not on the South West Coast Path, but can be reached easily from the villages of Kingston or Kimmeridge.

The hill has a trig point marked as 203 metres on Ordnance Survey maps, but a tumulus, now fully grassed over, forms the highest point, 208 metres above sea level.

External links

* [http://walks4softies.co.uk/Jwa04/Kingston/Walk1/ Swyre Head, Kingston walk]