Local Landmarks | Kingston Past & Present

Kingston is very fortunate in having many natural landmarks. Click on the links for images and more information.

Chapman’s Pool – a delightful cove lying at the foot of the Hill Bottom Valley, between Houns-Tout to the west and St Alban’s Head to the south-east.

Egmont Bight – the small bay between Houns-Tout and Freshwater Steps. There is a small beach, accessible at low tide, with a stark backdrop of dark grey Kimmeridge shale cliffs.

Eldon Seat – erected in October 1835 on the slope below Swyre Head, a favourite spot where Lord Eldon walked with his dog Pincher.

Freshwater Steps – named after the fresh water stream that flows from the Encombe valley and the original steps, now long since gone, that once lead down to the beach.

Golden Bowl – the name given to the lush slopes leading down towards Encombe House and the coast beyond from Swyre Head and the northern ridge.

Houns-Tout – at 140 metres it dominates the western skyline at Chapman’s Pool. In the 19th Century, Lord Eldon’s private carriage drive ran round the face of the cliff.

Memorial Seat – a Purbeck stone seat dedicated on 25 October 1987 to the memory of the air crew and passengers killed in two aircraft crashes near the spot in 1938 and 1945.

Obelisk – On North Hill, to the north of Encombe House, Lord Eldon erected a stone obelisk in 1835 to commemorate his elder brother, Sir William Scott, becoming Baron Stowell.

Swyre Head – At 203 metres (682 feet), the highest point in the Purbecks and a ‘Marilyn’ (a hill of any height with a drop of 150 metres or more on all sides).

Page last updated: 29 January 2021