The Purbeck Way The Purbeck Way (West Route) (West Route) The Purbeck Way West Route is an extension of the popular Purbeck Way and the two routes meet opposite Wareham Quay. From here, the West route passes through Wareham Common and along the River Frome to reach Wareham to Coombe Keynes, Winfrith Newburgh and West Lulworth Coombe Keynes. The route then carries on westwards to Winfrith Newburgh or south to West Lulworth. Looking after the Landscape The special character of the different landscapes encountered along this route are the result of land managers and local organisations working together to maintain and safeguard habitats and wildlife through sensitive land management. For example, Belhuish Coppice (found above West Lulworth) is managed using the traditional methods of coppicing: an area of hazel is cut and re-grows to be cut again after a number of years. The coppice is divided into small areas and Wareham Common cut in a rotation so there is a continuous supply of wood each year. The coppiced wood is used for a variety of products Bluebell Woods including fences and furniture. Coppicing is also good for wildlife; by removing the hazel, woodland plants such as primrose and bluebells have space to grow. See overleaf for more information about the different landscapes you will be walking through. Historic Buildings The North Lodges mark the northern entrance to the park formerly associated with Lulworth Castle. They are Grade II* Coombe Keynes listed and date back to 1785. The lodges and gateway form part of the remaining park wall along with other round towers (some are seen on this walk). Brown hare West Lulworth Winfrith Newburgh Public Transport Information A signposted walk through some of the less well Wilts and Dorset buses - hourly service (No 40) known landscapes in the west Purbeck area. between Poole and Swanage, stopping at Wareham. North Lodges North Tel: 01202 637555 Designed by Purbeck District Council Towers Purbeck Heritage The Purbeck Heritage Committee who produced this leaflet was Following the Purbeck Way West Route formed in response to the challenge to maintain Purbeck as a healthy and thriving environment which can be enjoyed by residents and Although much of the route is fairly easy walking, some sections get visitors in years to come. muddy and are remote. Plan your route carefully and wear suitable clothing and footwear (boots are recommended in winter/after heavy Useful contacts: rain). When walking the longer sections of the route, it is always a good idea to Dorset Countryside Rangers/Rights of Way Team 01305 221000 inform someone of your journey and expected time of return (especially if walking Discover Purbeck Information Centre (Wareham) 01929 552740 on your own). Please take particular care when walking on or crossing roads. Lulworth Heritage Centre (West Lulworth) 01929 480587 The route is signposted with either the distinctive logo (shown above) or Open Access signposts. The route is a mixture of footpath, bridleway and road. Although this Some parts of this route are mapped as open access leaflet includes a map, you are advised to take along Ordnance Survey OL15 land. Look out for the new access symbol shown right. (Purbeck and South Dorset) map. Visit www.naturalengland.org.uk for information. Suggested Itineraries Footpaths and Bridleways All sections of the route are designed to be walked in either direction, enabling a variety of different walks between villages. The whole route would take all day Footpaths are for the use of to walk, however this could be split into smaller sections and walked over a few pedestrians only and will be days (there is bed & breakfast accommodation available in each village, plus signposted by: campsites at East Stoke and Durdle Door). This walk could also be combined with the Purbeck Way to create a circular route covering south Purbeck, using the South West Coast Path or Wareham as the Bridleways are for the use of link between the two routes. pedestrians, cyclists and horse For accommodation details go to www.visit-dorset.com riders and will be signposted by: or drop into the Discover Purbeck Information Centre in Wareham. Other walking leaflets available: Purbeck Way, Wareham Two Rivers Keeping Purbeck Special Walks, Wareham Forest Way and The Lawrence of Arabia Trail. The Purbeck countryside is a special place. Please help to conserve it by observing the key points of the Countryside Code. Photo credits: Purbeck District Council, Purbeck Heritage. Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs Please note: The representation of a track or path is no evidence Leave gates and property as your find them of a public right of way. This is not a Definitive Map of Rights of Way Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home and has no legal status. Users of all routes shown in this leaflet do so Keep dogs under close control entirely at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety, and Consider other people the safety of others using the same route. We cannot guarantee that all routes will be passable, particularly in wet weather. Whilst every care has been taken in the production of this leaflet, Purbeck District Council cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Large print leaflets are available on request. View towards Highwood Please call 01929 557237 for further information. Designed by Purbeck District Council 2010, updated 2013. First Dorset buses – 2 hourly service (No X53) between Poole and Exeter, stopping at Wareham and Wool. Tel: 0871 200 2233 South West Train stations are located at Wareham and Wool, both on the Weymouth to London Waterloo line. Tel: 08457 484950. The Northport Greenway provides a walking route between Wareham Station and The Quay. Key The Purbeck Way The Purbeck Way West Route Flood Meadows 3 South West Coast Path Each winter, these meadows are flooded (West route) Route through West Lulworth by the River Frome providing valuable Bridleway feeding areas for wintering birds. In spring A signposted walk through Lulworth Range Walks and summer, these same meadows (now Earthworks 2 beautiful landscapes with a Forest dry) support large populations of voles, The earthworks across Wareham Common wealth of wildlife to enjoy shrews and insects, which in turn provide Major/Minor Road were once used to protect livestock and food for many predators. are just one of the many traces of early Railway and Station human activity that will be passed along Wareham Wareham Section 1 – Wareham to Coombe Keynes Car Park P the Purbeck Way West. Forest Way (approx 6 ¾ miles/10.8km) Discover Purbeck Information Centre Wareham Two i 1 Using the inset map of Wareham (below), cross Wareham Lulworth Heritage Centre V Rivers Walks River Common, go under two bridges, over a stile and through a Bus Stop 2 gate until you reach the main road. Turn right. Walk along Public Telephone Piddle P i A352 the pavement and grass verge for ½ mile (0.8km) and then Public Toilets East Stoke turn left towards the railway line. Go under the bridge and Refreshments Wool turn left at the road. Just before the next bridge turn right, V N Purbeck Way Campsite 3 cross Rushton Common and follow the river. From East V River Wareham 1 Stoke follow the quiet roads southwest, straight across at Viewpoint West Holme Frome Historic Wareham has long been an the crossroads and through Highwood. A bridleway leads V Mixed farming 4 through Haremere Wood and across fields to Kimbert’s End important settlement; its town walls (now The northern section of this route runs at Coombe Keynes. V East Holme grassy, earth mounds) date from Saxon through mixed farmland where wildlife such times. Located between the Rivers Frome Section 2 – Coombe Keynes to Winfrith Newburgh as brown hare, lapwing and turtle dove Woodlands 10 and Piddle, the town is a popular visitor (approx 2 ½ miles/4km) are still found due to the variety of crops The route passes through many different destination with many walks and cycle From Kimbert’s End, continue straight on through Coombe and livestock farmed here. Elsewhere, Highwood 10 types of woodland: pine plantation, rides starting from here. Stop in at the intensified and specialised farming Discover Purbeck Information Centre Keynes village, ignoring the signs to West Lulworth. Turn A352 ancient woodland and hazel coppice. right at the road and then left onto a track. Pass through practices have reduced the amount of Each contains a different variety of plants (near the Quay) for details of what to see Coombe Wood and the fields beyond to reach Winfrith wildlife able to survive on farmland. and animals suited to the conditions in and do in the area. A351 Newburgh at the end of School Lane. You could join the Coombe Haremere the wood brought about by the way the Winfrith Village Trail here (linking Chaldon Herring and East Winfrith 4 Wood woodland is managed. Knighton) – pick up a copy of the trail leaflet at the village shop. Keynes Newburgh Coombe Section 3 – Winfrith Newburgh to West Lulworth Lulworth Estate 9 (approx 3 miles/4.8km) Wood Kimbert’s 5 Since 1641 the Lulworth Estate has End From School Lane turn left (village shop on the right), follow been owned and managed by the Weld the road for 150 metres then turn left onto Winfrith Drove. family. The large Estate contains many After nearly 1 mile (1.6 km), take the left fork off the track famous landmarks such as Durdle Door through an avenue of trees. Turn right and down the hill North and Lulworth Cove, seen by nearly three- towards West Lulworth enjoying fantastic views of the coast.