Thorncombe Beacon

Thorncombe Beacon is a clifftop peak on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, situated between Eype and Seatown. The South West Coast Path runs right along the coastline up to the clifftop at Thorncombe Beacon. The hill is owned by the National Trust and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

Due to its prominent location and views across Lyme Bay, it was one of a chain of beacon sites along the south coast of England. This was used to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada in 1588. In 2009, archaeologists found evidence which suggested the Doghouse Hills next to the look out point was West Dorset’s oldest settlement. There were finds dating back to 2500BC, when it would have been as much as 1 mile inland.

As well as the South West Coast Path, there are also footpaths from Chideock, Eype Down and Eype up to Thorncombe Beacon and it makes a nice circular walk from either Highlands End Holiday Park in Eype and Golden Cap Holiday Park in Seatown.

This clifftop landmark is part of our West Dorset ‘Three Peaks’ Challenge, which is a circular 9.3 mile route that takes in 3 of the highest points in West Dorset – Thorncombe Beacon, Golden Cap and Colmer’s Hill.