Ballard Cliff is part of the Jurassic Coast near Swanage in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The steeply dipping Cretaceous chalk that marks the northern end of Swanage Bay takes over from the Wealden beds at this location. A series of landslides during the late 1990s and early 2000s created a prominent white 'zig-zag' in the scarp. A rotational slip in the Chalk, Upper Greensand and Gault has developed, exposing a section of the soft, blue-grey Gault clay at the base of the cliff.

Outdoormichel 🚴🏻‍♂️🥾🏃‍♂️

July 28, 2024

The path has a lot of bumps. You can walk it, but you have to be careful where you step. Hiking poles and good shoes are recommended.

Translated by Google •

Luke

February 28, 2025

My name sake 🤣 Ballard down views are amazing. Muddy in winter and steep in places but worth it for the coastal views.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 100 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 20 January

11°C

7°C

88 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 37.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

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July

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September

October

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December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Studland, Purbeck, Dorset, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Swanage Beach

Ballard Down Trig Point

View of Tilly Whim Caves

Rocky Shoreline on the South West Coast Path

Studland Bay Beach

View of Swanage from Studland Hill and Ballard Down

Studland Beach

Durlston Castle

St Nicholas' Church, Studland

View of Corfe Castle from Brenscombe Hill

Franks Tank Descent

Sandbanks Ferry Crossing

View of Swanage Bay from Ballard Cliff

1. View of Swanage Bay – Old Harry Rocks loop from Swanage

2. Swanage Beach – Old Harry Rocks loop from Swanage

3. Old Harry Rocks – Agglestone Rock loop from Studland

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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