Purbeck - Travel & Holiday Guide

Purbeck is an Isle, mostly surrounded by water, on the South coast of England. The area of Purbeck is distinct from the rest of Dorset and has a unique character with which many people fall in love.  Apart from the principle town of Swanage the rest of Purbeck is mostly rural countryside with scattered villages. Foot paths and bridal ways outnumber roads and sometimes the fastest way to get somewhere is to cycle as car routes can be far from direct.  

At the heart of Purbeck is the village of Corfe Castle and historic ruin of Corfe Castle. The Castle is a principle landmark of the area and the views from the top are stunning. The village below is packed with traditional cottages and small shops which sell a variety of local produce and gifts. The other attraction is the steam railway which takes East you across Purbeck to Swanage.

Swanage is a bustling seaside town with a long sandy beach. In the summer the town is busy with holiday makers who enjoy the warm shallow waters and the sheltered bay. Walkers use Swanage as a base to walk the Purbeck Coastal Path which runs in both directions.

North of Swanage is Studland which also enjoys a long sandy beach. You can reach Studland from Swanage by following the coastal path which will also take you past Old Harry's Rocks, which are an iconic feature of Purbeck.  Studland is a small village with a shop, a pub and a restaurant. The main attraction is the long beach which stretches for miles. The main nature reserve on Purbeck starts at Studland and stretches across north Purbeck to Arne in the West. Here you will see an amazing variety of bird life as well as deer and small mammals.

The South coast of the Isle of Purbeck is part of the Jurassic Coast. The high cliffs are a nesting site for many sea birds and the whole area is filled with dramatic coastal views. Traditional quarrying is in evidence along the coast and taking the coastal path will introduce you to the beauty and the history of this part of Purbeck. Smugglers and pirates used to use these sites and one can almost imagine seeing them today.

Purbeck has many small villages with excellent pubs and restaurants. You will find a number of them in our Purbeck guide. Please help keep the guide up to date by leaving your comments so fellow visitors can learn from your experience.

Purbeck Links

Visit Swanage and Purbeck

Purbeck District Council

Images of Dorset

Dorset Local News Paper

Purbeck Gazette Newspaper