Winspit Caves - Worth Matravers Coast & Sea

Dripping with atmosphere, Winspit Quarry is an excellent site for walking and picnicking.

Winspit is an abandoned quarry on the Purbeck cliffs near Worth Matravers which in its heyday produced the stone seen in many local, and also London buildings. The quarry workings formed the caves, some of which are now home to mouse-eared and greater horseshoe bats. During World War II it was used as a site for naval and air defence but since then the quarry and caves have been accessible to the public. Although health & safety as well as the bats have necessitated that some caves are closed to the public,don't let this put you off, the views are fantastic and there's picnicking and swimming nearby.

Another of Winspit’s claims to fame is its use as a setting for episodes of Blake’s 7 and Doctor Who. For devotees, the caves were used as the location for the planet Mecron II in an episode of Blake's 7, and in Doctor Who was used in the story The Underwater Menace and then the planet Skaro in the serial Destiny of the Daleks.

Directions

There is a public car park in Worth Matravers and a footpath which leads to to Winspit.

Additional Information

The walk down to the quarry and back is an excellent excuse for going to the Square & Compass for a pint.

Images with thanks to Mark Godden (details on request).

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Di Stone  

(24 August 2008)

Winspit Caves at Worth Matravers - A Newb’s Guide If you haven’t had any exercise for a while or walking just isn’t your thing, then you may want to give this one a miss. But if you do decide to stay at home, you will be missing out on

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