The Area
Our top 10 local attractions:
1) Visit Corfe Castle within walking distance of Honeypot
Wander around one of Britain’s most majestic ruins; the castle was an important stronghold from the time of William the Conqueror. Right on your doorstep! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle
2) Sandy beaches at Studland
Search for seahorses, have a BBQ, rent a beach hut or simply swim, play and relax along the 4-mile stretch of golden, sandy beaches at Studland, with views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight. Watersports available. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach
3) Visit Lulworth Cove and walk to Durdle Door
The breathtaking view is worth the steep climb from Lulworth to Durdle Door; a huge, natural, limestone arch with a shingle/sandy beach. Also visit Lulworth Castle, a recently restored 17th century hunting lodge, and its 12,000 acre park. Kayak Safaris also available. www.lulworth.com
4) Delve into Hardy Country
Dorset’s Hardy Country is home to the Victorian novelist/poet’s birthplace, a small cob and thatch cottage where he wrote his early novels, and his later home, Max Gate. Also visit Hardy Monument and Cloud’s Hill, the home of Lawrence of Arabia, which are also nearby. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardy-country
5) Look for dolphins from Durlston Country Park.
Walk along the coastal path from the Visitors Centre and cafe to visit the Lighthouse built in 1880. Wander the fabulous 280-acre countryside paradise with stunning views, walking trails, the historic Great Globe, superb geology, fascinating wildlife and the newly renovated Durlston Castle. www.durlston.co.uk
6) Take a ferry trip to or around Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour
The Island hosts a variety of natural habitats, creating a haven for wildlife, as well as being the birthplace of the Scouting and Guiding movement. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island
7) Take the steam train to Swanage
Take a picturesque journey on a steam train from Corfe Castle to Swanage, a seaside town with a Victorian Pier, ice cream and souvenir shops, a theatre and several art galleries. Also home to Chococo, a world-renowned award-winning chocolatier. Relax in the deckchairs or watch the Punch and Judy show in high-season! www.swanagerailway.co.uk
8) Follow the snorkelling trail and search for fossils at Kimmeridge Bay
Kimmeridge Bay is part of the Jurassic Coast and its geology is world-renowned; it is a designated Marine Nature Reserve. Although there are no sandy beaches, the sheltered bay is good for swimming, diving, surfing and windsurfing. Large ledges act as natural jetties for wandering along to explore marine wildlife, for rock pooling and for fossil hunting. Dorset Wildlife Trust runs a marine centre and Kayak Safaris. www.dorsetbeaches.co.uk/purb/kimmeridgebay
9) Visit the nature reserve of Blue Pool and indulge at the Tea-rooms
Visit the nature reserve of Blue Pool to see the deep blue waters in the abandoned clay pit, surrounded by the Purbeck hills. The Pool is surrounded by 25 acres of heath, woodland and gorse interlaced with sandy paths that seem to take you to another world. Blue Pool is also the home of Wareham Bears; a collection of over 200 miniature dressed bears! www.bluepooltearooms.co.uk
10) Go back in time at Tyneham Village
Visit Tyneham, a small village and parish which is the only one to have been evacuated during World War II purely to make way for military preparations. It was used as a firing range and training ground for troops but the “ghost village” was not returned to the residents and so is in a state of ruin, frozen in time, which you are free to visit. www.dorsettouristinformation.co.uk/tyneham-guide or www.isleofpurbeck.com/tyneham