One of Purbeck’s most famous landmarks sits just under the cliffs near the villages of Langton Matravers and Worth Matravers.
Dancing Ledge is a natural shelf of flat rock jutting out into the sea, which once made it a prime site for the quarrying of Purbeck stone – as well as an easy target for smugglers coming from the sea. Now, the sea ledge and its surrounding area is a beauty spot popular with walkers, climbers and wildlife enthusiasts.
There is no consensus on how Dancing Ledge came to get its name, but there are two favoured stories: some say Dancing Ledge is so named because of the way the water seems to ‘dance’ over the flat rock at certain tides; others say it’s because the area is just the right size for a ballroom.
It has also become known as an unusual wild swimming location due to the tidal pool that was blasted out of the ledge by quarrymen in the early 1900s for local school children to learn to swim.
Exploring around Dancing Ledge
You’ll be treated to stunning land and sea views on the descent to Dancing Ledge, with much wildlife to spot from grazing animals to wildflowers, butterflies and seabirds.
A path curves its way around the hill down to the final, rocky steps to the shelf of rock that is Dancing Ledge itself. This is rather steep, so you’ll want a good pair of walking shoes and to be relatively fit and sure-footed.
Safety information
Note that the walk to the quarry area is accessible via steps, but there is a bit of a scramble down to Dancing Ledge itself, so may not be suitable for young children.
Dogs should also be on a lead at all times, however we’d advise not taking your dog at all if it pulls on the lead – the path down to Dancing Ledge is steep, has loose stones, may be slippery when wet and there are sheer cliff edges.
Take note of the various safety information displayed en route and keep to the indicated paths.
Swimming in the sea off Dancing Ledge is not advisable. There is no shoreline and the currents can be extremely dangerous.
Walking routes to Dancing Ledge
Spyway – easy
The most family-friendly route to Dancing Ledge is from the Spyway car park in Langton Matravers. (For your SatNav: BH19 3HG)
The walk is mostly flat, although the descent to Dancing Ledge itself involves a fairly steep hill to walk down.
The path is signposted and takes you through grazing fields and past Spyway Barn. Stop at the National Trust information area here where you can learn all about the history of this part of the Jurassic Coast, as well as what wildlife you can expect to see.
The area is named Spyway after the days of smuggling along the coast here – once quarrying at Dancing Ledge ceased, the caves around it were perfect for hiding contraband, and the easy landing point made this a natural route for transporting goods from the sea and up over the hill.
A tree with a dark past
Look out for this large sycamore tree as you walk from the car park.
Like many spots in Purbeck, it has an intriguing history attached to it – it’s believed it was once used as a hangman’s tree.
Other stories of smugglers’ tales and Purbeck piracy can be found at Peveril Point in Swanage, Old Harry Rocks, Studland, Winspit and Lulworth Cove. Thanks to the active quarrying industry in the area, smugglers could hide contraband in the network of quarry caves and tunnels, and even disappear in through them so as not to be seen.
Worth Matravers circular walk – moderate
This slightly more challenging walk starts at the village of Worth Matravers (postcode for your SatNav: BH19 3LE)
The walk encompasses the South West Coast Path and takes you along the cliff via Seacombe.
The village pub, the Square and Compass, or Worth Matravers’ Tea & Supper Room can be easily incorporated for fuel along the way.
From Durlston – more challenging
This circular walk is around six miles long and takes you through a range of stunning coastal scenery.
Park at Durlston Country Park (SatNav: BH19 2JL) and follow the coast path toward Anvil Point.
Dancing Ledge is about two miles along the coast path beyond the park. You can return the way you came, or head toward Priest’s Way to make the walk circular.
Climbing and Coasteering
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to explore Dancing Ledge in a more adrenaline-inducing way, rock-climbing or coasteering are popular activities at Dancing Ledge.
Dancing Ledge is one of the most well-known climbing areas near Swanage with well-bolted and varied routes.
Climbing here is recommended for experienced climbers and/or as part of an expedition with a local local climbing or coasteering company.
Dancing Ledge has over 100 climbs ranging from beginners’ to challenging ‘E6’ climbs.
Note that some climbs at Dancing Ledge are subject to seasonal restrictions, as depicted in the below map:
Safety information
- Safety precautions must be taken at all times and climbers should be aware that there may occasionally be large waves off Dancing Ledge, which itself may have loose rocks
- Phone signal can be poor here – the nearest public phone is in Langton Matravers. There is an emergency telephone at Durlston Country Park (at the Anvil Point lighthouse) and at St Aldhelm’s Head.
Explore with an organised outdoor adventure group
Local outdoor adventure companies, such as Cumulus Outdoors, can take you on an organised climbing, abseiling or coasteering session at Dancing Ledge or nearby Hedbury Quarry.
Qualified instructors will fit you with the necessary safety gear and take you on one of their regular climbing routes on this special spot on the Jurassic Coast.
There are two main outdoor activities organisers running regular climbs and coasteering sessions in Purbeck – Cumulus Outdoors and Land & Wave:
Cumulus Outdoors
Scramble across rocks, jump off cliffs and explore caves at Dancing Ledge with outdoor activities organiser Cumulus Outdoors.
Fully-qualified instructors offer morning or afternoon sessions, and provide wetsuits and protective gear, including buoyancy aids.
Here’s a taste of what to expect:
Cumulus also has dedicated toilet and changing facilities.
Participants must be aged 10+.
Other actives with Cumulus
- Tag archery – paintball meets archery and dodgeball at Burnbake (near Corfe Castle)
- National Citizen Service (NCS) camping
- Bushcraft skills
- Ropes course
- Abseiling and climbing
- Mountain-biking
- Raft-racing
- Urban orienteering
- Stag and hen parties, as well as business team days
- Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award
Find out more and book via Cumulus Outdoor’s website or by calling:
ℹ️ www.cumulusoutdoors.com/adventure/coasteering/
📞 01929 422480
Land & Wave
Land & Wave offers coasteering sessions for people aged eight and over, as well as private and group sessions.
Protective equipment and wetsuits are provided. Land & Wave advise bringing your own swimwear, towel and an old pair of trainers.
The team also offers stag and hen packages, as well as a range of other outdoor activities
Further activities
- Paddle boarding and kayaking in Swanage and at Sandbanks
- Survival skills courses at Norden
- Raft-building on Swanage Beach
- Duke of Edinburgh award
Get in touch with Land & Wave to book onto a course:
ℹ️ www.landandwave.co.uk/coasteering-dorset
📞 01929 423031
Wildlife
The coastal landscape and cliffs around Dancing Ledge are rich with wildlife.
Keep an eye out on your walk for:
Wildflowers
- Horseshoe vetch – The pretty bursts of this yellow wildflower are common here from May through to July
- Early spider-orchid – This rare flowering gem can be found in the fields around Dancing Ledge and Winspit. The best time to to view these unique orchids is April – May
- Cowslips – The Isle of Purbeck is lucky to be rich in areas with cowslips. You’ll spot this special little flower on the walk down to Dancing Ledge in early Spring
Butterflies
- Adonis Blue – Lured by a landscape rich in wildflowers like the horseshoe vetch, the striking Adonis Blue is a common sight here
- Lulworth Skipper – Named after the nearby Jurassic Coast beauty spot Lulworth Cove, where it was first discovered in 1832 , the Lulworth Skipper can only be found here on the Dorset coast. It is the smallest butterfly in the area, but if you look closely amongst the vetch and cowslips adorning the summer fields around Dancing Ledge you may spot one
Seabirds
- Puffins – Very near to Dancing Ledge are puffin ‘burrows’ where these most-loved sea birds return to Purbeck each year. You may be lucky enough to see one, but they are now sadly in decline. Find out more about local initiatives to track and protect their habitats here in Dorset: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/spyway/features/purbeck-puffins
- Guillemots – You may also spot guillemots around Dancing Ledge, but perhaps the best place to see these characterful sea birds is at Durlston Country Park, which is home to the South Coast’s second largest guillemot colony.
Location on the Jurassic Coast
Dancing Ledge is just over a ten-minute drive from Swanage and is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
The easiest way to get there is to park at the National Trust Spyway car park in Langton Matravers (SatNav BH19 3HG)
Other must-visit areas of the Jurassic Coast
If the rugged beauty of Dancing Ledge has inspired you to explore similar places in Purbeck, these are some of the most famous spots to visit.
- Durdle Door – Perhaps the most famous natural landmark on the Jurassic Coast, Durdle Door and its surrounding landscape make for some unforgettable scenery
- Lulworth Cove – Just a stone’s throw from Durdle Door is the picturesque Lulworth Cove and its pretty village. There’s also an outdoor activity centre in West Lulworth to help you explore the area
- Old Harry Rocks – Synonymous with the Isle of Purbeck, the white chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks are a pleasant walk from Studland or Swanage and offer breathtaking views
- Winspit – Also popular with rock-climbers, Winspit is a pleasant walk to disused quarry caves from the village of Worth Matravers