Dorset Guide

 

 

We have been coming to Dorset for a while.  We still know little about the county and its history.  However we do have experience and know some of the ‘best of’ in lots of categories.

It is a huge task so we are starting with some simple lists that we will try and keep up to date and expand.  Later, much later, we will create it with lots of links.

We will also have copies in the Chancel and will e-mail it on request.

 

Restaurants

There are not that many.  It seems that pubs with food have captured most of the market.  Indeed we have little experience as we tend to spend the day out and cook back at home.


The Old Granary - Wareham

 

This is by the river and has recently been renovated.  We have not been, but it is very popular.  On the terrace above the river has to be good in the summer.

Turn right out the Chancel at the main road turn right and head to Wareham.  2nd exit at the roundabout.  At the lights turn right.  The car park is just on the left before the river.  3 miles.


Things to do

 

These are things that you can visit to be entertained in or entertain yourselves.


Bovington Tank Museum

 

Lots of tanks, displays and film.  Not a glorification of war but an interesting historical record.  Good for engineers and boys (big ones as well).

It did have a good café when we were last there.

When you leave if you turn right out the gates, a mile or so out of the camp there is a parking place on the right that overlooks the tank training grounds.  You can watch the army vehicles charging around the course.

Just on the edge of the car park is a stone commemorating the spot where Lawrence of Arabia crashed his bike and killed himself.  His house, Clouds Hill, is another mile further on.  It is open to visitors.  So close to his house and on a straight road how did he crash?

Turn right out the Chancel, at the main road turn left and head to Wool.  At the roundabout take the 2nd exit.  The second left is signposted for Bovington.  The museum is a mile on the right.  The viewing area another mile beyond that and Clouds Hill is another half mile along.  3 miles

 

Monkey World

We have never been.  Everyone we know who has been says it is good.

Turn right out the Chancel, at the main road turn left and head to Wool.  At the roundabout take the 2nd exit.  It is about a mile along on the right. 3 miles


The Swanage Railway

Travel behind a steam engine through the Isle of Purbeck, watch them manoeuvre in Swanage station, have coffee in the rail-carriage café.  Just before Corfe is Norden Junction where you can park and get the train to Swanage, or you can drive into Swanage and catch it there.
Try the back route to Swanage.  Turn left out the Chancel.  The railway crossing is the only manned one in England.  Wiggle down the road slowly to the cross-roads about a mile away.  Turn left.  Another mile to a cross roads.  Be careful here the junction is hidden and the other way travels fast.  Another mile and you cross a hump-backed bridge then come to a T junction.  Turn left and after a hundred yards you come to the Wareham bypass.  Turn right.  After half a mile take the second exit at the roundabout.  This is the road to Corfe and Swanage.  If you want to go to Norden Junction take the first exit at the next roundabout which is 2 miles away.  Otherwise take the 3rd exit and stay on the road through Corfe to Swanage.  Some great views and you often see the trains steaming through the countryside.

 

Pubs and food

 

 

These are the pubs we have been to that also do decent food.


The Royal Oak – Bere Regis

This warrants a special mention.  The pub has been re-furbished.  However last year they had a restaurant attached to the pub.  It was very, very good.  They didn’t get much trade as that area of Dorset is not oriented that way.  If it is open again then well worth a visit.

Turn right out the Chancel, at the main road turn left and head to Wool.  At the roundabout take the 2nd exit.  It is about 4 miles to Bere Regis.  Down the hill and it is on the left before the sharp right turn to lead out the village.


The Cock and Bottle – Morden

 

This is probably the best around.  You have to book well in advance (days) 01929 459238.  (BH20 7DL)

 

Turn right out the Chancel, at the main road turn left and head to Wool.  At the roundabout take the 2nd exit.  It is about 4 miles to Bere Regis.  Down the hill to the bottom and make the sharp right turn to lead out the village.  At the roundabout take the second exit.  This is the A35 to Poole.  About 4 miles along there is a sign for Morden – a left turn.  The pub is in the village on the left.


The World’s End

This just turns out decent pub food in a large room.  No need to book if you go early.  A later visit and you queue in the bar, but it is so big that there is little queuing time.  Best to go early.  (DT11 9EW)

Turn right out the Chancel, at the main road turn left and head to Wool.  At the roundabout take the 2nd exit.  It is about 4 miles to Bere Regis.  Down the hill and it is on the left before the sharp right turn to lead out the village.  At the roundabout take the first exit.  At the next roundabout take the second exit.  This is the A31.  The pub is on the right about 7 miles out.

 

 

 

Walks

This will be a big section…eventually.  Here I just list some outlines.


Corfe Castle to Swanage and back on the steam train.

This is our favourite – it has everything.

 

Start opposite the castle 301 steps to the top of the hill.  Easy enough to climb and well worth it.  Great views of the castle and the village, also the railway station with steam trains coming in and out.  This where the Roundheads hauled their cannon to pound the castle after they had taken it

 

Then walk along the top of Ballard down a hump of a ridge about 200 yards wide.  No edges and very safe.  Fabulous views of the Isle of Purbeck, Poole Harbour and the Isle of Wight.  Then drop down to the Swanage road for half a mile.

 

Next turn left into the Ballard estate where the one way system starte and down again to the beach.  Then walk about a mile along it to Swanage.

Go to the railway station.  If the steam engines are running get a ticket to Corfe if not the busses are there as well.  Have tea and cakes to recover in a railway carriage until your transport arrives.  Try the shops.

Under 5 miles of very easy walking.

Lots of maps and pictures to follow.


Swanage to the ferry.

In Swanage walk long the beach heading east.  Towards the end you will see a cutting in the cliffs and steps up.  This puts you on the Dorset Coastal Path – a right turn.  Just follow it up Ballard Down and along the cliff edge, or further inland if you are worried by edges like me.  See Old Harry Rocks and then down into Studland.  In land and pass the Bankes Arms which has a big garden (and beer). 

 

Then go down to Studland beach and follow it for 3 miles to the ferry.  Big and wide with nudist section in the middle - they don’t mind if you don’t!

At the ferry we usually go as foot passengers across (for free) and have coffee waiting for a bus on the other side.  This puts the cost up as you have to pay to come back.  If not wait for the bus to come across and catch it by the beach.

About 6 miles – the effort up Ballard Down is only moderate.  The rest is flat or downhill.

 

 

 

Beach’s


Studland

Any mention of beach and you have to start with Studland.  It is 3 miles of great sand.

You can park for the first two sections in NT car parks or go to the ferry and park on the side of the road for free.

You must go early or late.  There is plenty of room on the beach but it is a mighty long walk on a sunny day if you arrive after 09:30.  If you go in the afternoon there will be holes in the car parking here and there.  You will also have the beach to yourself.

 

There is a nudist section in the middle.

There are also a number of interesting short walks through the nature reserve.

Also because of the effects of Poole Harbour it is often sunny when all around it has rain.  So you can get a bonus day on the beach sometimes with nobody on it.

Try the back route.  Turn left out the Chancel.  The railway crossing is the only manned one in England.  Wiggle down the road slowly to the cross-roads about a mile away.  Turn left.  Another mile to a cross roads.  Be careful here the junction is hidden and the other way travels fast.  Another mile and you cross a hump-backed bridge then come to a T junction.  Turn left and after a hundred yards you come to the Wareham bypass.  Turn right.  After half a mile take the second exit at the roundabout.  This is the road to Corfe and Swanage.   Take the 3rd exit.  Another 300 yards to the NT shop and turn left past it.  This is the road to Studland.  If you stay to the end you arrive at the ferry to Poole.

Worbarrow Bay

This a stone beach.  You have to go to Tyneham the famous village cleared by the army during the last war.  You can visit the schoolhouse and see how it was 50+ year ago.  The church is good as well.

 

Then it is a mile walk through the bottom of the car park.  You will pass wrecks of tanks and the mobile target machine.

It is a steep walk down to the beach.  Good swimming and not crowded.


hudsonsings.co.uk

 

 

© Chris Rick 2008