West Dorset 3 Peaks

Hi there, I’m Charlie Irving-Bell and I’ve created this website as part of my EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) which is part of my A level syllabus.

I’m 17 years old and having grown up in the age of digital and social media I’ve always been fascinated by my Dad’s generation talking about how they grew up without access to the vast knowledge base of information that I now have access too. Whilst I can now contract any of my friends instantly and get involved in campaigns and movements at a moment’s notice, this was almost impossible until the start of the current revolution in digital media.

The key question is, is this a good or a bad thing? And the topic of my EPQ is “is social media a force for good or a force for evil”. This is a complex topic and a fascinating debate!

As part of this project, I decided to create a small social media project of my own, something positive that falls very much on the “positive” side of social media. The aim of this project is to

• promote the beautiful area of West Dorset that I live in, an often-forgotten part of the South West of England that gets ignored as holidaymakers rush through to the better known holiday destinations of Devon and Cornwall

• to get people out into the countryside to enjoy the nature around them and get them thinking about their fitness

• to raise money for a very worthy cause – the Royal British Legion (I’m a member of the cadets!)

Overview of The WestDorset3Peak Challenge

The aim of this challenge is to scale three of the highest and most visually attractive peaks in the area, with coastal and far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside. The hills in question are Golden Cap, Pilsdon Pen and Lewesdon Hill, it’s advised that the route be in this respective order. While walking between each is possible, it would be somewhat excessive other than those in peak fitness, so driving between each is also advised, particularly if you have children.

All 3 of these hills are in West Dorset with Golden cap (191M) situated on the stunning Jurassic Coast between the towns of Bridport and Lyme Regis, both famous locations from TV and film. Pilsdon Pen (277M) and Lewesdon Hill (279M) are around 10KM north of Golden cap at the North end of the picturesque Marshwood Vale