Isle of Purbeck - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Corfe 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.

Dancing 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.

The 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.

Winspit 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.

Swanage 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 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.