Winspit Quarry is truly a hidden gem in Dorset.
Until around 1940, the quarry was in use, providing stones for building in London.
To look at now, it’s an area that’s perfect for an adventure and to explore!
Winspit caves are full of history and have been used for numerous film location shoots, such as Star Wars and Doctor Who.
The caves set the perfect backdrop for filming with its dark caves and abandoned broken-down buildings.
Update: Some parts of Winspit Quarry may be temporarily closed due to reports of geological instability. Most areas are still accessible, but please make sure to abide by any signage when there.
Going to Winspit caves can be a lovely day out with a scenic walk to the caves with the beautiful views of Worth Matravers and the sea in the distance.
Getting to Winspit Quarry
To get to Winspit Quarry you need to head to the village of Worth Matravers, which in itself is a beautiful place to visit.
You can park your car in the village car park.
This is the car park address: Worth Matravers, Swanage BH19 3LE
Here’s the Google map location:
The car park has a lovely view of country hills and the sea in the distance.
You can also see a very cool ‘version’ of stone henge made out of tree trunks called Woodhenge.
The car park is very ‘trustworthy’ and has a coin slot to pay for your parking where they ask for £2 to park there all day.
There is no way to tell whether you’ve paid for your parking or not, i.e. no ticket etc, so it really just goes by your honesty.
The car park also has toilet facilities.
Once you’ve parked, you turn right from the car park where you pass the local pub, The Square and Compass, there is also a small fossil museum attached to the pub that you can visit.
If you carry on past the pub and stay to your right, you will come across the small village, it has a duck pond right in the centre and is extremely picturesque and looks like something from a postcard.
You walk through the village and bear down and round to the left, and you’ll see a little row of cottages where you go left and walk till you come across the public pathway to get down to Winspit Quarry.
The walk is pretty straightforward from the start of the path, and if you head for the sea you’ll get to the Quarry in around 20-30 minutes.
This is a lovely walk, especially if the sun’s shining, there are sometimes sheep on the fields, lovely countryside views and it isn’t too strenuous on the way down as it’s mostly downhill.
It may be a little harder on the way back up, so make sure you go with refreshments to keep you going!
When you’ve reached the sea, you’re there!
You just bear round to the right, you can’t miss it!
Exploring the Quarry
When you reach the quarry, it truly is something amazing to see, you face a huge set of caves that you can freely walk in and out of.
Some of the caves are pitch black, so be sure to enter them carefully and with some kind of torch.
Going inside is really exciting, and you can see lots of names and dates scratched into the rock.
You come across these massive stone pillars inside the cave and can hear your voice echo around (if it’s quiet enough.)
There are many areas that are great for taking pictures, especially if you look out to sea.
As you walk into the area, to your left, there is half of a quarry building and some other broken ruins next to it.
Walking around the quarry and carefully around the caves, you can almost feel the history of the place, it almost feels ‘creepy’ around the area as it seems like it was abandoned.
Seeing all the different names on the walls from past and present adds to the creepy atmosphere.
You can also get an amazing view of the cliffs and the choppy sea next to the quarry.
Tips for hiking and exploring the quarry safely
As mentioned earlier, I would say the hike down to the quarry isn’t a hard walk and isn’t very long to get down there.
You can do it with trainers, but hiking boots are desirable as it can be quite a rocky walk and muddy depending on the weather.
When you get to the quarry and walk around it, the ground can be quite uneven, so make sure to take care when exploring, as you might trip if you are not paying attention.
Winspit is in a remote location, so be sure to be sensible around the area, use torches when needed, and take care walking along the cliffs.
The sea looks rough and choppy, so I wouldn’t recommend swimming around that area.
History and Significance of Winspit Quarry
A Quarry is typically a large deep pit that is used to extract stone, slate and limestone to use for things such as buildings etc.
Winspit was one of many that were in Dorset and was used as a working quarry until 1940.
The stone that was extracted from there is Portland stone, which has been used in many impressive buildings in London.
In 1940 the caves were then turned into a World War ll naval and air base, and then after the war, the caves were opened to the public.
The Quarry is now owned by the National Trust.
Smugglers and shipwrecks
A very famous shipwreck occurred near Winspit Quarry.
An East Indiaman called ‘Halsewell’ was known as the Purbecks’ worst shipwreck.
It was wrecked on the 6th of January, 1786, and was at the start of her voyage when she got caught in a violent storm and was driven onto the rocks near Winspit Quarry.
It is believed that the workers at the quarry helped to save some of the sailors.
Only 74 people are believed to have survived out of approximately 240 crew members.
The shipwreck shocked the nation, and the king visited the area where it had happened.
Halsewell has been the subject of many paintings and poems.
Smugglers also used Winspit Quarry.
There is a famous walk called ‘The Smugglers Walk’, which runs from Worth Matravers down to Winspit Quarry and along the south coast path down to Seacombe.
It’s called this because it is said to have been a place that smugglers used to store their contraband in the various caves and tunnels.
Wildlife
Winspit caves have become a playground for bats and some of the rarest ones in the UK, such as the Greater Horseshoe bat.
Up to 15 different species of bat have been recorded at Winspit, and it’s become a breeding ground for bats in the late summer or early autumn.
The caves are a perfect spot for bats to come and ‘hide’ in the daytime to sleep and hibernate in the winter.
Filming At Winspit Quarry
Star Wars
In 2021 filming took place at Winspit Quarry for a new Disney + series called ‘Andor.’
A prequel to the 2016 spin-off Rogue One, following the main character Cassian Andor, played by Diego Luna.
Blake 7
The sci-fi series Blake 7 used Winspit Quarry in the episode ‘Games.’
Winspit was portrayed as the planet Mecron II and aired in 1981.
Doctor Who
Winspit Quarry was used for a few Doctor Who location shoots.
Winspit Quarry was first used in 1966 for the episode called ‘The Underwater Menace.’
It was then used later on in 1979 when Tom Baker played the doctor.
Winspit was used to represent the Daleks’ home planet of ‘Skaro’ and was in the episode ‘Destiny of the Daleks.’
John Carter
Disney used Winspit Quarry for the 2012 film John Carter for the scene ‘Orkney Dig.’
Pictures of Winspit Quarry
Points of Interest Near Winspit Quarry
St Aldhelm’s Chapel
If you’re up for a full day out and a decent hike, you can walk on top of the cliffs of Winspit Quarry and follow the cliffs along until you get to St Aldhelm’s Chapel.
It’s a stunning walk, and when you get to the chapel, you’re able to go in and explore.
Be sure to take care when walking around any cliffs and be sensible when exploring.
See our visitors guide to St Aldhelm’s Chapel.
Worth Matravers Village
As mentioned previously, Worth Matravers village is a beautiful part of Dorset.
It looks like a village lost in time with its pretty cottages and ‘old school’ red telephone box in the middle.
You’ll always find a family of ducks wandering around, and it is very quiet, which is so refreshing from the busy lifestyles that everyone leads.
Going to Worth Matravers is more for the scenery than anything else, as there aren’t any shops or much else to do around there, but it is definitely somewhere to put on the bucket list to visit.
Chapmans Pool
If you continue on your hike from St Aldhelm’s Chapel along the coastal path, you’ll reach Chapman’s pool.
A secluded cove with beautiful countryside and beach views.
Check out our guide for Chapmans Pool here.
Dancing Ledge
Another popular beauty spot to walk to is Dancing Ledge.
It’s a flat area at the base of a cliff and gets its name because the ledge appears to dance when the waves hit the surface during certain tidal conditions.
A stunning place to hike and great for pictures or just taking in the gorgeous countryside air.
For other amazing things to see and do, check out this article we did covering the best things to do in and around Swanage.
2 comments
Winspit Quarry closed – due to danger from unstable geology
Thanks for the update. Will look into this.