Dinosaurs Walked Here

A while ago I discovered there are Dinosaur 🦕  footprints near Swanage on the Jurassic Coast.  I did a little research and found out exactly where they are and how to get there.  When a family member suggested we meet up at a midpoint for a weekend, I knew exactly where I wanted to go 😁.  No questions were asked 🤭.

There is a walk involved,  and we parked at Spyway Carpark.   It's National Trust and there is a fee to park.  Access to the site was free of charge.  I had the instructions from a website,  but they weren't especially clear. 

Leaving the carpark we followed the footpath and turned right at the cross path with the signpost, going slightly uphill.  Instructions said to follow Priests Way south for three quarters of a mile, ok if you know which way is south!  Its difficult to judge how far you've walked when you're chatting to family and friends,  I wish we had taken a map with us.  Thankfully,  the morning stayed dry although the wind did blow across from the sea.

Looking out for the promised sign pointing to the Dinosaur tracks, we passed through several gates on Priests Way, we passed fields with livestock,  the quarries, and reassuringly we meet other walkers who said we were close.  Our family members weren't quite so used to walking as we are and we stopped to enjoy the view several times, the slope was reasonably gentle but it does apparently depend on what you're used to 😉.

Eventually we found the sign.  

At this point you cross the field, slabs had thoughtfully  been laid by the gate.  The path is clearly visible and a welcome sign telling you that you are in the right place.

Entering the fenced off area we were all a bit bemused.   I admit I had expected more.  Standing on the stones we searched for footprints and did find them, but they weren't immediately obvious to any of us.  I'm sorry if this offends anyone.

Once found, the footprints take on a new perspective.   Brachiosaurus walked here, 145 million years ago!   And you can touch them.  I do wonder if so many people having that privilege,  the weather, the atmosphere,  has just maybe taken some of their sharpness away.  But we did find them and were appreciative of the opportunity.   I would have always wondered if I hadn't seen them.

Info board at site.

With the rest of the day still ahead of us, we drove onto Corfe and visited the Castle.  

Corfe Castle is also National Trust.  Being half term,  there were many families and activities had been laid on for them.  Teddy bears were abseiling from the castle ruins and pumpkins were in abundance 😀.   Not to be completely outdone, we had our photo taken too. 

Well pumpkins aren't just for children 🤫.  

Corfe Castle is well worth a visit,  it's attractive,  strangely angled and leaning precariously. 

  It must have been amazing when in its prime. 

  Its occupants would not have known about the Dinosaurs!