Purbeck Way: Wareham to Swanage or Kingston walk

• Purbeck Way East : Wareham - Corfe Castle - 9 Barrows's Down - Swanage - 12 miles (19.4 km)
• Purbeck Way South : Wareham - Corfe Castle - Kingston - Chapman's Pool - Worth Matravers - 13.2 miles (21.2 km) with 1650 feet (500 m) of elevation

The Purbeck Way leads from historic Wareham, via heather covered heathland to Corfe Castle, then has choice of 2 routes to Purbeck's spectacular Jurassic coast, one via a great ridge, the other to a remote cove via 2 great pubs.

It's is an official waymarked path, and is marked (with green chevrons) on the 1:25,000 scale OS map. It starts in Wareham, and heads south for 5 miles over heathland to Corfe Castle, with its picturesque ruined castle (NT) for lunch. Here there are 2 options, to 2 very pretty destinations.

Purbeck Way East

This is the easier option. Climb, and follow the spectacular '9 Barrows Down' ridge for 4 miles to the sea by Old Harry (a sea stack), with great views over Studland, Bournemouth Bay and Poole Harbour. From here, head either north or south along the South West Coast Path for a bus stop.

North leads to Studland (and a sandy beach), via a pub with a sea view (not for drivers, no bus back to Wareham, only to Bournemouth).

South leads to Swanage, a Victorian resort town, for a bus back to Wareham

Purbeck Way South

Note: our suggested route varies slightly from the Purbeck Way to go via the Scott Arms, then return to the main road (and bus stop) via the Purbeck Way.

This is the longer option. Continue south to climb a low ridge to Kingston, and the Scott Arms, a pub with a lovely beer garden. The village church, St James, is also worth a visit.

From the pub, follow a valley down to Chapman's Pool, a pretty cove with high cliffs on the 'Jurassic' coast. The final descent is a little precarious... the top part may initially you off, but it does become easier and less steep as you go and the path is always very clear - it's well used by dedicated swimmers. Non-swimmers can of course skip the final decent and carry around on the coast path.

If time is short, retrace your steps to the Scott Arms where there is a bus stop. But, to continue, head back inland to Worth Matravers and another excellent pub, the Square and Compass. Cut across to join the Purbeck Way route back to the main road for the bus, or more directly via a country lane. Time it right as there is no where to await your bus.

This walk is a little unusual for the SWC, the map and route description come from a leaflet published by Purbeck Council. We've just added links to pubs and public transport. Download the latest version of the Purbeck Way leaflet from the Dorset Council website's Purbeck Way page

Note, that while this is a lovely walk by any standards, the best feature of Purbeck is its stunning coastline, with green fields, dramatic white cliffs, and the blue sea. As these 2 walks are mostly inland, and only finish at the sea, don't make them your first walk in the area.

Corfe Castle

Many options, including:

• The Castle Inn, 3 East Street, Corfe Castle, Dorset, BH20 5EE - [recommended lunch pub] best pub in Corfe, on the main road, a few mins south of the castle. A small kitchen so not best for groups
• The Fox Inn, 8 West Street, Corfe Castle, Dorset, BH20 5HD - 25m down West Street (south west off the main square)

East (9 Barrow's Down) Option

• Swanage : If you have time before your bus, there are a few pubs in High Street (an east-west road, 50m south of the Station)
• Studland : Bankes Arms Inn, : Manor Rd, Studland, Dorset, BH19 3AU - great location and view from beer garden, brews own beer

South (Chapman's Pool) Option

• Kingston : The Scott Arms, West St, Kingston, Dorset, BH20 5LH - great beer garden and on the #40 bus route, but expensive and poor food
• Worth Matravers : The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3LF - as good as its gets, but not on the bus route.

Wareham Station

• The Railway Tavern, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4AT - next to the train station, an Indian with an unloved pub and beer garden, but its somewhere to wait for a train, service was excellent

Getting There

By Car

About 2.5 hours from London. Free parking by Wareham train station.

By Train

Trains from London Waterloo to Wareham are 2 an hour (hourly on Sunday), and take 2 hours 15 mins.

Return to the train or your car by bus

Kingston : Return by #40 to Wareham station. Swanage : Return by #40 to Wareham station or (for train traveller's only) #50 bus to Bournemouth station

• Corfe Castle (NT) - a small but picturesque ruined castle on a mound by the village centre