Chapman's Pool

Bay in Dorset

England

Chapman's Pool

Radar Research Memorial and NCI Lookout Station, St Alban's Head Radar Research Memorial at St Alban&#039;s Head, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset.

A plaque reads:
THIS MEMORIAL COMMEMORATES
THE RADAR RESEARCH
CARRIED OUT AT
WORTH MATRAVERS
FROM 1940 - 1942
WHICH WAS CRUCIAL TO
THE WINNING OF THE WAR
AND THE BIRTH OF MODERN
TELECOMMUNICATIONS

In the background the National Coastwatch Lookout Station. Built in the 1970&#039;s for HM Coastguard. — Radar Research Memorial and NCI Lookout Station, St Alban's Head Credit: J I Cheetham

Chapman's Pool is a picturesque bay located on the Jurassic Coastline in Dorset, England. Nestled between the small villages of Worth Matravers and Kingston, this secluded and unspoiled area offers a stunning natural landscape that attracts both locals and tourists alike.

The bay itself is a small cove with pebble and shingle beaches, surrounded by towering cliffs, creating a sense of tranquility and seclusion. The clear turquoise waters of the English Channel lap gently against the shore, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling during the summer months.

The area is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as Chapman's Pool is part of a protected nature reserve. Visitors have the opportunity to spot a variety of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, and even the occasional peregrine falcon. The surrounding cliffs are also home to a wide range of flora and fauna, with wildflowers blooming in abundance during the spring and summer.

Access to Chapman's Pool is limited, as there are no roads leading directly to the bay. Visitors must park in the nearby villages and take a scenic walk along footpaths that wind through rolling fields and pastures. This adds to the charm and exclusivity of the area, ensuring that it remains relatively untouched by mass tourism.

Chapman's Pool is a hidden gem along the Dorset coastline, offering breathtaking natural beauty and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you're looking for a quiet beach day or an opportunity to explore the diverse wildlife, this bay is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

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Chapman's Pool Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.591278/-2.0682372 or Grid Reference SY9576. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Radar Research Memorial and NCI Lookout Station, St Alban's Head

Radar Research Memorial at St Alban's Head, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. A plaque reads: THIS MEMORIAL COMMEMORATES THE RADAR RESEARCH CARRIED OUT AT WORTH MATRAVERS FROM 1940 - 1942 WHICH WAS CRUCIAL TO THE WINNING OF THE WAR AND THE BIRTH OF MODERN TELECOMMUNICATIONS In the background the National Coastwatch Lookout Station. Built in the 1970's for HM Coastguard.

J I Cheetham

Disused silo at Weston Farm

Former dairy farm owned by the National Trust.

David Martin

Coastal view across Winspit Bottom

The lower houses of Worth Matravers are visible on the left.

David Martin

Clifftop view west of St Albanâs Head

Looking towards the cliffs above Chapman’s Pool.

David Martin

Radar memorial on St Albanâs Head

Commemorating pioneering work on radar undertaken at Worth Matravers during World War II.

David Martin

Coastwatch station on St Albanâs Head

One of many stations formerly operated by the coastguard but now run by National Coastwatch Institution volunteers. Seen from the coastal path.

David Martin

St Aldhelmâs Chapel

St Aldhelm's Chapel is a Norman chapel on St Aldhelm's Head near Worth Matravers, Dorset. It is a Grade I listed building. The square stone chapel stands within a low circular earthwork, which may be the remains of a pre-Conquest Christian enclosure. The building has several architectural features which are unusual for a chapel; the square shape, the orientation of the corners of the building towards the cardinal points, and the division and restriction of the interior space by a large central column. The lack of evidence for an altar or a piscina suggests that the building may not have been built as a chapel. It may have originally been built as a watchtower for Corfe Castle, covering the sea approaches to the south. The interior of the chapel is approximately 25 feet square. In the centre is a square pier supporting four square rib vaults, with the heavy ribs leading to transverse arches, all stop-chamfered. In the north-west side is a Norman round-arched doorway. A small window is contemporary with the doorway. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries regular weekly services were held, attended by coastguards and their families who lived in nearby cottages.

David Martin

Abandoned cliff top quarry at St Albanâs Head

David Martin

St Aldhelm's Quarry

Active Purbeck stone quarry on the plateau of St Alban's Head.

David Martin

Converging tracks on St Alban's Head

The track on the left leads down to SY9676 : St Aldhelm's Quarry.

David Martin

Bridleway to St Alban's Head

David Martin

Worth Matravers, seen across fields from the southwest

David Martin

Weston Farm, from Bonvils Road

The farm is owned by the National Trust and includes a motorhome site (just visible to the left here) and a summer-only campsite. The farm buildings, including the silo, are mostly disused.

David Martin