Chain Home Low D Site

After a gorgeous day doing family stuff on Studland beach (with clothes on) I talk a walk along the clifftops around Worth Matravers, Dorset.

This was the site of radar development during the war from May 1940 to May 1942. For those who think radar might be a bit dull, without it the Battle of Britain would never have been won and things would be very different today.

When you stand on the spot today, not a lot remains. The buildings in the photograph are the old Coastguard cottages.

Next to them, but out of shot, is the 12th Century St Aldhelms Chapel and next to that is a sculpture marking the work completed on the radar development.

Also on the clifftop, tucked away, is a Royal Marines memorial, beautifully tended, commemorating marines who have died since 1945. There was a poignant memorial to a marine who had died in Afghanistan, which included a photograph of a happy, smiling, young man without a care in the world who would have been half my age when he died. It's such a beautiful spot and just seems right somehow.

The clifftops are also home to the rare skipper butterfly, redundant purbeck stone quarries and stunning views.

In late afternoon sun, in a stunning place, enjoying a bit of solitude, all was good.

All finished off in the Scott Arms, a great pub with possibly the best view from a pub garden I've ever seen (Corfe Castle and surrounding hills)