Itinerary #8 - Purbeck Coast - East

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The is flowers, 33 of butterflies and 270 of Purbeck Coast smaller than the modern admin- birds. Not far behind are Ballard - East istrative district. It extends north Down and Heath. The from Flowers Barrow to the River are also good for Frome and thence to Wareham butterflies and wild flowers. to Studland and Harbour. This area is bounded to the south by great Seaside Resorts Purbeck has 1. 210 limestone cliffs and to the north by two popular seaside resorts, which 210 low-lying heathland. The spine of could hardly be more different. Nodding Donkey 210 the Purbeck Hills runs across the is a slightly genteel, small- Purbeck Marine Res 210 centre, separated from the coastal er version of Weymouth and much 210 ridge by a fertile valley. less commercial. It has a beauti- 2. 225 ful, sheltered situation with a fine Steeple 225 is an essential visit, long sandy beach. Studland has a 3. Kingston 224 with its fairytale castle, ancient beautiful 4mi (6km) beach and is 4. 213, 224 limestone houses, steam trains and almost totally non-commercialised 5. Chapman’s Pool 212 dramatic situation. The best views because it belongs to the National 6. St ’s Head 212 are from West Hill at dawn or East Trust. 7. 213 Hill at sunset, especially when mist 8. Country Pk 214 shrouds the countryside, or from The 215 Kingston to the south. includes essential visits such as 215 Kimmeridge Bay, Chapman’s Pool, 9. Swanage 216 Inland Villages include Church St Aldhelm’s Head and Durlston 217, 222 Knowle, Steeple, Kimmeridge, Head. Throughout the whole area 10. 218 Worth Matravers and Langton there is a maze of quiet country lanes, 218 Matravers. These ancient, small tracks and footpaths. Some are sign- 11. Studland Bay 219 settlements all have their own posted or waymarked, but many are Studland Heath 219 charm and interesting history. not. In this busy area of it 12. South Haven Point 219 is easy to get away from the crowds 13. Kingswood Down 218 is one of in unspoilt countryside. Conversely, 14. Corfe Castle 220 the best nature reserves in Dorset there is also plenty on offer for those 15. Blue Pool 223 with over 500 species of wild preferring busy towns.

Dorset Guide Book 1st edition by Charles Tait 346 What to Do and See - Dorset

ORDNANCE SURVEY 1:50,000 & 1:25,000 maps OS Landranger Map 195 Bournemouth & Purbeck OS Explorer Map OL15 Purbeck & South Dorset

Purbeck Coast - East Kimmeridge to Studland 1. Kimmeridge Bay (page 210) is ringed by low 8. Durlston Country Park (113ha, page 214) is cliffs with bands of clay, shale and cementstone. one of the prime destinations in Dorset for any- The Flats and Ledges, visible only at low tide, are of one interested in nature. The Visitor Centre has hard limestone, ideal for rockpooling or fossil hunt- interactive displays, a gallery, shop and restaurant. ing. Kimmeridge is about 5mi (8km) southwest Waymarked paths, information on daily sightings of Corfe Castle. The Jurassic and events are all available there and online. The Formation is famous for its abundant fossils. reserve is deservedly famous for its diversity of Gad Cliff (130m) to the west, looks like a giant species of wild flowers, butterflies and birds. Many limestone saw blade from the hill above the bay. come to seek the rare Early-spider Orchids or The “Nodding Donkey” at the west end of the bay Lulworth Skipper butterflies. extracts oil from Jurassic strata 350m underground. Anvil Point Lighthouse (page 215) is a waypoint Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve extends from for shipping between and . to St Aldhelm’s Head. The Marine Tilly Whim Caves (page 215), next to Anvil Point Centre has aquaria and helpful marine wardens. are former limestone quarries. Many bats roost Clavell Tower, a 19th century folly, is now available here so they are not open to the public. as an esoteric holiday let. 9. Swanage (page 216) is a rather elegant and 2. Church Knowle (page 225) is a pretty little vil- unspoilt seaside resort. Earlier prosperity was based lage which snuggles below the Purbeck Hills. It has on quarrying of Purbeck Marble and Limestone, a fine Norman church and a traditional . especially from the 17th century onwards. Steeple (page 225), 2mi (3km) further west, is Swanage Steam Railway (page 217, 222) was famous for its connection to the US flag. The formed as a result of the branch line being closed in design is based on the Lawrence coat of arms, which 1972. Trains now run regularly to Corfe Castle and can be seen in the Norman church. Norden, as well as occasionally to Wareham. 3. Kingston (130m, page 224) on a ridge 1.5mi 10. Ballard Down (page 218) marks the eastern (2.5km) south of Corfe Castle has pretty cottages end of the World Heritage Site. This and panoramic views. Its main claim to fame is the escarpment ends at Handfast Point. excellent and very popular Scotts Arms pub. Old Harry Rocks (page 218) are chalk stacks 4. Worth Matravers (page 213, 224), the most south- which extend eastwards from Handfast Point. erly and picturesque of these villages, is about 1.5mi 11. Studland Bay (page 219) has 4mi (6km) of (2.5km) southeast of Kingston. Benjamin Jesty, who beautiful sands, backed by extensive dunes and the discovered a cure for smallpox, and his wife, are bur- Studland Heath . The village has a ied in the graveyard here. The unique local pub, the fine Norman church and an excellent pub. Square and Compass should not be missed. 12. South Haven Point (page 219) is the terminal 5. Chapman’s Pool (page 212) is about 1,000m for the chain ferry to Sandbanks. down a steep footpath from a carpark at Renscombe 13. Kingswood Down (page 218), below Nine Farm. This delightful bay is never busy and the Barrow Down, has a panoramic view over Studland. shoreline is an excellent place for fossil hunting. 14. Corfe Castle (page 220), a small stone-built 6. St Aldhelm’s Head (108m, page 212) is the most village in the centre of Purbeck, is dominated by its southerly point on Purbeck, with superb views. The romantic and iconic castle, one of the most impres- unusually-built chapel may be Norman. There was sive in . The National Trust keep the castle, an important radar station here in WWII. shop, tearoom and visitor centre open all year. 7. Winspit (page 213) is a small bay east of St 15. The Blue Pool (page 223) is an old clay pit at Aldhelm’s Head. The cliffs are pock-marked with Furzebrook, northwest of Corfe Castle. It has a old limestone quarries, now home to many bats. shop, tearoom, museum and plant centre.

347 Dorset Guide Book 1st edition by Charles Tait