I have just returned from a 3 night/4 day camping/walking break on the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, Dorset.
My tent was pitched at The David Donald Field Studies Base, Worth Matravers. The centre provides basic camping facilities in its grounds and importantly offers some protection from the south westerlies that blow off the nearby exposed cliff tops.
Worth Matravers is a classic Isle of Purbeck village - perched on the cliff tops west of Swanage and close to Corfe Castle. The village is unspoilt - has a history in quarrying beautiful limestone (which still continues today) and in fishing and agriculture of course. It is a superb base for walking on the South West Coastal Footpath and enjoying the Purbeck Hills and in and around Swanage and Studland.
On the Friday I had a good look around Studland and Swanage town. Studland is rightly well known for its beaches and National Trust Nature Reserves. From Shell Bay, Studland runs the chain ferry which takes you across the entrance of Poole Harbour to Sandbanks. (this saves an extra 25 miles by road from Swanage to Poole (it is also very picturesque.) Swanage is a lovely small coastal town.
Next day was a 12 mile coastal walk to the west of Worth Matravers - mainly on limestone cliffs. This is part of the SW Coastal Footpath. It is really great walking - steep at times - unspoilt - a spectacular coastline - Chapmans Pool is particularly lovely.
Saturday evening and later on Sunday - a must visit - The Square and Compass - Worth Matravers. I consider myself a conniseur of "real" pubs. This is certainly one. It has a history going back to 1793 - is listed of course and remains almost entirely unchanged I would say. It is authentic. You queue in the door way for service as there is no proper bar as such - just a hatch. Just about the only food they serve is home made pies/pasties. Ales are only gravity fed. Inside is quite tight but they specialise in folk music and bring in folk performers on the national circuit. A really great atmosphere. At the front of the pub is a large sitting area with views over the village to the sea - weather permitting. There was a real bustle - locals and walkers. (The Square & Compass has a small museum and it also well known for staging a stone carving week when anyone can have a go at working local stone) Put it on your list!
On Sunday we walked from Swanage down to South Beach Studland - and over Ballard Down to Handfast Point that seperates Studland and Swanage. Great views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island and the continuation of the chalk downs on the Isle of Wight in the distance. Particular mention of Old Harry Rocks - chalk formations including a stack and stump at Handfast Point. They mark the most easterly point of the Jurassic Coast and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Isle of Purbeck is wonderful area if you like walking and the coast. While we were there it was quiet but I can understand this is a very popular area with tourists in the summer - but it is the opposite of tacky. A really lovely place to be.
Here are a few photos from my mob camera.
My tent was pitched at The David Donald Field Studies Base, Worth Matravers. The centre provides basic camping facilities in its grounds and importantly offers some protection from the south westerlies that blow off the nearby exposed cliff tops.
Worth Matravers is a classic Isle of Purbeck village - perched on the cliff tops west of Swanage and close to Corfe Castle. The village is unspoilt - has a history in quarrying beautiful limestone (which still continues today) and in fishing and agriculture of course. It is a superb base for walking on the South West Coastal Footpath and enjoying the Purbeck Hills and in and around Swanage and Studland.
On the Friday I had a good look around Studland and Swanage town. Studland is rightly well known for its beaches and National Trust Nature Reserves. From Shell Bay, Studland runs the chain ferry which takes you across the entrance of Poole Harbour to Sandbanks. (this saves an extra 25 miles by road from Swanage to Poole (it is also very picturesque.) Swanage is a lovely small coastal town.
Next day was a 12 mile coastal walk to the west of Worth Matravers - mainly on limestone cliffs. This is part of the SW Coastal Footpath. It is really great walking - steep at times - unspoilt - a spectacular coastline - Chapmans Pool is particularly lovely.
Saturday evening and later on Sunday - a must visit - The Square and Compass - Worth Matravers. I consider myself a conniseur of "real" pubs. This is certainly one. It has a history going back to 1793 - is listed of course and remains almost entirely unchanged I would say. It is authentic. You queue in the door way for service as there is no proper bar as such - just a hatch. Just about the only food they serve is home made pies/pasties. Ales are only gravity fed. Inside is quite tight but they specialise in folk music and bring in folk performers on the national circuit. A really great atmosphere. At the front of the pub is a large sitting area with views over the village to the sea - weather permitting. There was a real bustle - locals and walkers. (The Square & Compass has a small museum and it also well known for staging a stone carving week when anyone can have a go at working local stone) Put it on your list!
On Sunday we walked from Swanage down to South Beach Studland - and over Ballard Down to Handfast Point that seperates Studland and Swanage. Great views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island and the continuation of the chalk downs on the Isle of Wight in the distance. Particular mention of Old Harry Rocks - chalk formations including a stack and stump at Handfast Point. They mark the most easterly point of the Jurassic Coast and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Isle of Purbeck is wonderful area if you like walking and the coast. While we were there it was quiet but I can understand this is a very popular area with tourists in the summer - but it is the opposite of tacky. A really lovely place to be.
Here are a few photos from my mob camera.
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| Poole Harbour from Studland |
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| Chain Ferry running across to Sandbanks (some of the UK's most expensive properties) |
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| Worthg Matravers limestone |
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| Views going west (looking back here) from Worth Matravers on the South West Coastal Footpath |
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| Limestone quarry |
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| Coastguard station manned by volunteers. They are happy for you to go in and they will explain the important job they do. |
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| There are some steep staircases - up and down. |
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| lovely Chapmans Pool - a beautiful natural bay |
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| Wonderful quiet natural scenery |
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| Kingston Church - another beautiful village. |
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| Swanage |
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| Poole Harbour entrance in the distance. Brownsea Island to the left. |
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| South Beach Studland. Handfast Point in the distance. |
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| Views of Handfast Point and Old Harry Rocks |
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| Lovely Worth Matravers - beautiful limestone tiled roofs |
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| The outstanding Square and Compass - Worth Matravers |
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