18 Attractions to Explore Near Purbeck Hills
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The Blue PoolBlue Pool is a flooded, disused clay pit where Purbeck ball clay was once extracted. It is now a lake within the Furzebrook Estate. The Pool is surrounded by 25 acres of heath, woodland and gorse interlaced with sandy paths that seem to take you to another world. The Green Route includes steps up to views of the Purbeck Hills or down to the edge of the Pool.
Kimmeridge BayKimmeridge Bay lies within a marine Special Area of Conservation and boasts the best rock pooling and safest snorkeling site in Dorset. The area is popular with surfers and windsurfers for the sea breezes and surf created by the rock ledges underneath the waves. The natural rock ledges extending out into the bay make it easy to view life on the shore and in the shallow waters, making it a wonderful location for rock pooling.
Clavell TowerClavell Tower, which was erected in 1830-31 for the Reverend Clavell in a prominent position on the cliff above Kimmeridge Bay. This four-story, circular tower stands high on the cliff above Kimmeridge Bay overlooking one of the most striking bays on the Dorset coast. It is owned by building conservation charity the Landmark Trust and is its most popular venue with holidaymakers wanting to stay there having to plan almost two years in advance.
National Trust - Corfe CastleCorfe Castle stand on a natural hill guarding the principal route through the Purbeck Hills. As you can see it guards the gap between the south of Purbeck, where Purbeck marble was once quarried, and the rest of England. Nothing could pass in or out without going past the Castle. The castle dates to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. It is protected as a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Isle of PurbeckThe Isle of Purbeck is a peninsula located in south Dorset. The area is home to some of the country’s most well-loved towns and landmarks including Swanage, Lulworth Cove, Corfe Castle, and Durdle Door. One of the unique attractions in this area and it is a nice place to Relax on the beach, explore the South West Coast Path, hunt for dinosaur fossils, or just sit back and enjoy the views of the world-famous Jurassic Coast.
Lulworth Castle WarehamA majestic castle was Built in the 17th century. Originally built as a hunting lodge to entertain aristocracy and royalty, it was for centuries the family seat of the Weld family, the current owners of the Lulworth Estate. Inside the castle is a wealth of fascinating history; walk in the footsteps of King and Queens as you follow the story of the Weld family’s fate and fortune and explore the basement rooms and memorabilia collections. Children can enjoy hunting for the 10 bats hidden around th
Lulworth EstateThe Lulworth Estate extends over 12,000 acres of the south Dorset countryside, including 5 miles of the Jurassic Coast and internationally renowned landmarks such as Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. The fairy tale Lulworth Castle is a great day out for all the family, from the fascinating exhibits in the basement cellars to the incredible views from the tower. The estate is predominantly owned by the Weld family, who have lived there for several generations.
Winspit QuarryWinspit is a disused quarry to the South of Worth Matravers on the coast of the Isle of Purbeck. You’d be forgiven for thinking that sounds as interesting as water in a ditch. Forgiven, but wrong nonetheless. The quarry is now a lesser-known tourist attraction. Recently many of Winspit's caves have been closed off for public safety and bat conservation.
RSPB ArneArne RSPB reserve is a 5.634-square-kilometer nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest maintained by the RSPB and located in Dorset. Arne is celebrated for its lowland heathland (which is rare in Europe) and its wildlife including Dartford warblers, nightjars, all six species of British reptile, plus many species of butterflies, dragonflies, and moths. It is also home to nearly 500 types of a flowering plants.
Dancing LedgeDancing Ledge is one of the south coast’s best wild swimming spots. It’s not an easy place to reach. Dancing Ledge is so called because at certain stages of the tide when the waves wash over the horizontal surface, the surface undulations cause the water to bob about making the ledge appear to dance.
Lulworth CoveLulworth Cove is world-famous for its unique geology and landforms including the Lulworth Crumple and Stair Hole. The pebble beach and blue waters of Lulworth Cove make it an extremely popular destination. The Cove and surrounding countryside are hugely popular with walkers. You can walk to the cove along the South West Coast Path national trail.
Swanage RailwayThe Swanage Railway offers a more intensive heritage steam and diesel timetable train service than virtually any other preserved railway. It is is one of Britain’s most popular heritage railways, with steam trains running every day between April and October.
Monkey World - Ape Rescue CentreMonkey World was set up in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide a permanent, stable home for abused Spanish beach chimpanzees. The 65-acre park is home to the stars of TV’s ‘Monkey Life’ and ‘Monkey Business, and provides sanctuary for rescued and endangered primates from around the world. Monkey World features the largest group of chimpanzees outside of Africa which are housed in four different social groups.
Durdle DoorDurdle Door is one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. It is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and is an extremely popular beauty spot. It was created when the sea pierced through the Portland limestone around 10,000 years ago. Looking west over the beach, isolated stacks out at sea show where an older coastline once lay. The arch has formed on a concordant coastline where bands of rock run parallel to the shoreline.
Swanage BaySwanage is the most easterly town on the Jurassic Coast, and its gently shelving sandy beach and sheltered waters have made it a popular destination for families since Victorian times. Despite being just six miles from the urban expanse of Poole and Bournemouth, Swanage feels a world away, and retains a sense of bustling but easy-going seaside charm. The beach also holds the prestigious blue flag for beach cleanliness.
Durlston Country Park and National Nature ReserveDurlston Country Park is a 320-acre country park and nature reserve. The Park is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and has been owned by Dorset County Council since the early 1970s. the country park is a 280-acre countryside paradise with stunning views, hay meadows and coastal downland, the historic Great Globe, and a wealth of bird and wildlife including regular sightings of dolphins. There are numerous walking trails to explore.
Brownsea IslandBrownsea Island is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour in the county of Dorset, England. The island is owned by the National Trust. The island sits in the middle of Poole Harbour, with dramatic views of the Purbeck Hills. Thriving natural habitats, including woodland, heathland and a lagoon, have created havens for wildlife, such as the red squirrel and a huge variety of birds, including the sandwich tern.
Swanage Pier TrustSwanage Pier is one of only a few timber piers in the UK. It is under constant threat from a challenging marine environment and from the gribble worm, the microscopic bug that can reduce the vertical piles to a fraction of their width over time. Until the 1950s, it was a diving platform for Swanage Swimming Club. It is now derelict. A few piles are visible to the east of the ‘new’ pier.
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Know more about Purbeck Hills
Purbeck HillsThe Purbeck Hills are one of the finest landscape features in Dorset. They extend from the much eroded Handfast Point (or The Foreland) in the east for some fifteen miles to the cliffs of Cow Corner and the lonely cove of Arish Mell in the west. These chalk hills are not a continuous ridge, but are broken by the gap at Ulwell and the twin gaps at Corfe Castle.