The Isle of Purbeck !
Beautiful villages in a stunning landscape !
Discover Purbeck, Dorset’s Hidden Gem at our new website Visit Purbeck Dorset. Wareham is an ideal base for exploring the many and varied attractions of Purbeck. From lovely villages like historic Corfe Castle and the pretty seaside town of Swanage, to attractions like Durdle Door, Harry Rocks, the Arne nature reserve and Lulworth Cove.
Purbeck is a district in Dorset on the South Coast of England, also known as the ‘Isle of Purbeck’. Although not an island in geographical terms Purbeck is bordered on three sides by sea, and on the remaining side, the North, by the River Frome plus the low lying land around the harbour that has remained down the centuries boggy and difficult to cross in winter.
Purbeck is dominated by the Jurassic Coastline, the chalk ridge known as The Ridgeway and bordered by Poole Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world. The Isle of Purbeck has been an area of strategic importance over the centuries. Purbeck’s name was recorded in 948 AD as Purbicinga, meaning “of the people of Purbic” – and Purbic may well be a former Celtic name. Its amazing geography has gifted Purbeck with an abundance of geological riches to quarry since ancient man arrived on its shores. As well as fertile soil, navigable rivers, ports and high defensive hills to protect from enemies, it is no wonder that the area has been settled since prehistoric times. Today, Purbeck is best known for some of the most beautiful and iconic scenery in the South of England, and Wareham, with its bridge over the river Piddle and the Frome, is considered the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck, as the only other entrance to Purbeck is by sea using the Sandbanks Ferry.
Here are some of the wonderful villages in Purbeck to be visited, followed by some of the top attractions:
A visit to Purbeck wouldn’t be complete without visiting Corfe and its famous castle.
A little rural village located the other side of the South Causeway, about half a mile from Wareham.
A small village, about 2 miles north of Swanage, which has some of the most beautiful beaches in Purbeck nearby.
Swanage has everything you need from award winning beaches to a country park and castle and a steam railway!
A very picturesque Purbeck village of limestone cottages centred around a village green with duckpond.
