ParaRidge

Fly smarter.

HomeMapLogbookAdd spotSettingsFeedbackFAQ

Buy me a coffee

Support ParaRidge

Sign in
HomeMapLogbookAdd spotSettings

Kimmeridge

Kimmeridge is a paragliding flying site at 153 m elevation, in the South West England region of the United Kingdom. The launch faces SW. This page consolidates multi-model weather forecasts, the GO / CAUTION / NO-GO flyability score, the vertical windgram and the thermal emagram so pilots can plan their flight in one place.

Wind and orientation. Kimmeridge flies in SW winds, meaning the airflow must come head-on into the launch. Any component outside that window triggers CAUTION or NO-GO depending on intensity. The launch is rated safe up to 43 km/h sustained wind, beyond which ParaRidge switches to NO-GO. The hourly forecast table and the vertical windgram both show wind direction and speed at takeoff altitude, hour by hour, for the next five days.

Weather model and forecast. For Kimmeridge, ParaRidge auto-selects the best-available model (HRDPS, GDPS or GFS in North America; AROME, ICON-D2 or ECMWF in Europe), then surfaces hourly forecasts for today and the next four days. The windgram stacks the vertical wind profile of every hour into one chart; the emagram reveals cloud base, thermal ceiling and the instability band — the three pieces of information needed to estimate whether the day is flyable and how long the thermals will last.

How to read the GO / CAUTION / NO-GO verdict. ParaRidge cross-references the forecast wind direction against the launch's orientation window, the wind speed against the safety limit, and the gust speed against the maximum threshold. GO means every check passes; CAUTION that at least one threshold is borderline (you stay pilot in command); NO-GO that the direction is wrong or the wind exceeds the window. The reasons are always spelled out — no opaque score, no magic. At Kimmeridge as anywhere else, the final go decision remains the pilot's, after local briefing and direct observation.

Current wind at Bell Hill (station 32 km away): 16 km/h WSW, gusts 19 km/h — read at 03:25 UTC, data by winds.mobi.

Fly your own decision

Spot info is community-sourced and may be outdated. The weather shown is a numerical model, not real-time observed conditions — actual wind on launch can differ. Landing-zone details (surface, obstacles, access, livestock) must be verified locally before every flight. Always cross-check with local clubs and pilots. ParaRidge is not responsible for any incident.

Back to map
ThermalRidge

Kimmeridge

153 mUnited Kingdom›South West England
—Not rated yet·0 votes
Takeoff

main

153 m · SW

Suggest a correctionOpen in Maps
Landing

main

59 m

Suggest a correctionOpen in Maps

Emergency Service Access Should it be necessary to call emergency services for an injured pilot at this site ask for an air ambulance straight away. A road going ambulance will not traverse the track and valuable time may be lost in re-organising an air rescue. Directions 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 up the access track through ‘Hells Gate’. Parking is still available at the old Kingston launch site or at Encombe which can provide a less steep walk up. 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. A walkers’ car park is available here. Cars have been broken into in this car park. Alternatively pass the car park and turn left up a track after approx 500m. This is a green lane. Do not wander from the ruts across the field as this can severely upset the farmer. He has had many problems with green-laners cutting up the field off the track and tars all vehicles with the same brush. Beware the deep ruts - you may need a 4WD! Proceed to the top of the ridge. Parking Official: Park in the Quarry Car Park immediately on the left if one continues down the hill toward Kimmeridge, and then carry up the track. Be aware that cars left in the Quarry Car Park have been broken into so do not leave valuables behind. Concessionary: As a special concession, Mr Hole has been allowing pilot's cars to park neatly along the wall behind take-off. Drive to the crest of the ridge and proceed until you see a stile on your right. Park here. This concession is strictly for pilots' vehicles only. Spectators must park below and walk up. Please ensure that Mr Hole receives his £2.00 site fee on the day to help ensure that this useful privilege is not withdrawn. If using the Kingston parking, drive to the ridge top and park tight against the stone wall along the ridge top (West of ‘Heavens Gate’). Close all gates. Do not obstruct the track as tractors frequently use it. Kimmeridge: thermal, ridge soaring site in South West England, United Kingdom. Elevation 153 m.

Forecast · ICON_EU

NESW
Takeoff

No flyability data

153 m

Live now · station

Model· fine-mesh → global

Scroll → for more days
updating…

Which model should I pick?

Fine-mesh models (1–3 km: HRDPS, AROME, ICON-D2, HRRR) resolve terrain and thermals well, but only reach +1 to +2 days. Use them for the day you actually fly.

Coarse-mesh models (10–25 km: GDPS, ARPEGE, ECMWF, GFS) miss valley detail but reach +3 to +10 days. Use them to scout a window 3+ days out, then re-check on a fine-mesh model the day before.

Advanced analysis
Fine mesh — accurate here · ★ recommendedRegional — trendGlobal — big picture

Day · Windgram / Emagram

Nearby spots

NESW

St Aldhelms

Takeoff

No flyability data

49 m

4.1 km

NESW

Ballard Down

Takeoff

No flyability data

53 m

11 km

NESW

Ringstead

Takeoff

No flyability data

118 m

17 km

NESW

White Horse

Takeoff

No flyability data

143 m

22 km

NESW

Boscombe cliffs

Takeoff

No flyability data

31 m

23 km

Local contacts

Questions about this site (local rules, conditions, access)? These nearby schools and clubs know the area.

  • 🎓Flying Frenzy Paragliding LtdSchool · 29 km