A RECENT acquisition of land in Swanage by the National Trust means nature is now protected across 5.5 miles of coastline.

The trust recently acquired the narrow strip of land – around the size of 40 football pitches – that lies between Verney Farm and Belle Vue Farm with the aim to restore nature and improve access to walkers.

This latest acquisition was the missing piece in the coastal jigsaw, as it follows on from the trust’s ownership of land from Durlston Country Park in Swanage to Weston Farm in Worth Matravers.

The strip of land was already cared for by the conservation charity, and from the coastline, the land stretches inland to ancient track, the Priest’s Way, and incorporates two historic nautical mile markers

This means an uninterrupted 5.5 mile (8.9km) coastal corridor can now be managed in nature-friendly ways.

The trust said it plans to declare this section of the coast inalienable, which means it will be protected forever.

David Brown, lead ecologist for the National Trust, said: “This was a fantastic, not-to-be-missed opportunity for us – the chance to join up the whole coastal landscape and encourage wildlife to spread, including rare wildflowers like early spider orchids and early gentians, and butterflies like the Lulworth skipper and Adonis blue.

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“Along with our tenant farmers and neighbouring landowners, we are already doing exciting work along this coastline to restore nature. This strip was the only gap, and it means we can now work at a much bigger scale.”

The steeply sloping ground next to the coast is already designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the importance of its wildlife-rich grassland.

But the three fields inland from there have been more intensively managed and currently have far less value for nature.

David added: “These fields are where we can really make a difference.

“The land will still be farmed, but in a more nature-friendly way. With appropriate management – like stopping chemical inputs and introducing a conservation grazing regime – we can restore the wildlife that’s missing.

“We are already seeing species recovering at Weston Farm where we have been managing for nature since 2022.”

A National Trust ranger looking at an early spider orchid spotted at the site Picture: National Trust/James Dobson

Future plans to make the area more accessible to walkers include widening the South West Coast Path to make it safer as well as adding a new permissive route from the coast path inland to the Priest’s Way, which would provide an alternative walk.

Tracey Churcher, general manager for the National Trust in Purbeck, said: “We manage land for nature and people, so improving access is a key aim for us.

“We added a similar inland route at Weston Farm in Worth Matravers which is proving to be hugely popular.

“A new inland path would also offer different views, including looking down on the iconic mile markers.”

The acquisition was funded through legacies to the trust’s coastal campaign, Enterprise Neptune.

The campaign marks its 60th anniversary this year, having raised over £114m through generous donations. This has enabled the charity to protect almost 900 miles of coastline in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Fittingly, a coastline survey by Reading University in 1965 which led to the launch of the Neptune campaign, began in Purbeck.

Dr John Whittow, who led the 1965 coastline survey and recommended the Trust acquire 900 miles of coast, said: “Before the monumental coastal survey of some 8,000 miles could begin, it was imperative that a pilot survey should take place to acquaint my 30 students, post-grads and staff from Reading University with my newly devised methodology.

“What better place than Dorset’s Purbeck coast which we ‘invaded’ in May 1965.

“This was long before it rejoiced in the title ‘the Jurassic Coast’, a World Heritage Site, and I hope that I wasn’t swayed by its scenic beauty and its geological attraction.”

The area is part of the proposed South Purbeck ‘Super’ National Nature Reserve, which will bring together multiple landowners in managing this coastline for nature and people.

Anyone wishing to support the National Trust’s coastal campaign is asked to visit the National Trust website by clicking here, and selecting ‘coast’.