Managing club: Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
Site briefing
Planning information for Kimmeridge
Take-off
Launch from the slope below the ridge top anywhere clear of vegetation. If the wind is off to the South or the west adjust your launch location to best suit the direction. The slope is steep in places, you will be pulling your wing up directly into a strong lift band. Be prepared to be pulled off the ground before you have a chance to turn fully when reverse launching a paraglider. Ensure you are far enough from scrub bushes or fences to avoid harm if you are dragged on launching. On stronger days the ridge can be very lifty and recommend launching well down the slope.
Landing
Top landing: There is rotor in the top landing fields particularly in the first 200 yards behind the wall. This is extremely dangerous for hang-gliders in winds above 18mph. hang-gliders should use the Kingston top landing fields but should always be prepared to be dropped 20 ft or more during approach. Land well back. Paragliders should ideally land within 50m of the wall behind the ridge top. Toward Swyre Head it is possible to top land in most fields if you find the wind is dying on you. Beware, as you will almost certainly experience some degree of rotor. Only use this option in emergencies. Avoid landing in any cropped field or where animals are present. Avoid landing behind the access track West of take off, due to potential rotor as the ground slopes away.
Bottom landing: : Mr R. Vearncombe Pilot Grades HG Club Pilot Chaldecotts PG Club Pilot Kimmeridge Site briefing advisable 01929 480936 The bottom landing field slopes and can be difficult to get into on a modem hang glider. Beware of the power lines. Paragliders can side land anywhere but ensure you have an into-wind beat and watch out for badger sets etc. The bottom landing is directly out in front of launch for paragliders and slopes gently.
Access and parking
From Wareham - Follow the A351 Wareham bypass south towards Swanage. On the outskirts of Stoborough, 1 mile after the A352 roundabout, turn right at the signpost to Creech / Kimmeridge (West Lane). Follow this road for a further 3.3 miles and at the brow of the hill. The road turns sharply to the left and drops down toward Steeple. After a further mile turn right toward Kimmeridge. Follow this road for 0.8 miles and just after the brow of the hill dropping down towards Kimmeridge village, turn left then immediately right. The access track is through ‘Hells Gate’ (///infinite.obligated.listening). There is no permitted parking along this track now and it is extremely rough so not suitable for vehicle access. From Corfe - Follow the A351 toward Swanage. As you leave Corfe turn right onto the B3069 toward Kingston / Worth Matravers. At Kingston, turn sharp right past the Scott Arms, following signs to Encombe. After leaving the village, the tree lined road opens out to fields on either side. Continue until you reach the walkers’ Sheep Pens car park (///snows.worldwide.books), park here and then proceed along the track to the site on foot. Park in the Quarry Car Park immediately on the left if one continues down the
hill toward Kimmeridge (///melon.communal.inflamed), and then carry up the track (///infinite.obligated.listening). Alternative parking is available at the Swyre Head Car Park (///snows.worldwide.books), there is an uncategorised road which goes from the Swyre Head Car Park to ///fearfully.webcams.landowner, this is available should you wish to drop-off/pick-up equipment, but there is STRICTLY NO PARKING along the road or on any of the land between the Swyre Head car park and the Kimmeridge site. Also the track is deeply rutted and very rough so impassable to most vehicles. Be aware that due to the remote nature of the car parks vehicle break-ins have occurred in the past, do not leave anything on view in your vehicle. There is STRICTLY NO PARKING along the wall behind take-off or on any private land, please only park in the public car parks.
Local guidance
Hazards and cautions
The more westerly the wind, the more turbulent the conditions can be. Thermals are often small and punchy on the site. Beware of sudden & strong venturi, stone walls, scrub and barbed wire fences. Several gliders have been damaged on launching or landing by being dragged onto the fences that bound the top of the site. Be aware of wind direction when slope landing as with the West – South aspect of the ridge the wind can pull either way and it may feel like a downwind approach in either direction. Look out for quick forming orographic cloud. The westerly end of the ridge is used by aero-modellers Accidents have resulted from pilots catching a foot in animal burrows on the slopes.
Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.