Traditional stone carving for all the family in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
• Local art and craft •
• Exhibition of sculpture • • Family activities • Tearoom •
Kingston Road Langton Matravers Dorset BH19 3BE 01929 439405
info@burngatestonecentre.co.uk
www.burngatestonecentre.co.uk Charity no. 1135118
The Isle of Purbeck area has a wealth of attractions: for those interested in history and heritage the iconic Corfe Castle is a reminder of the Civil War. There is also the Blue Pool at Furzebrook that varies in colour; at times green and sometimes turquoise. Steps lead down to the waters edge or up to views of the Purbeck Hills. The Pool is surrounded by woodland and gorse interlaced with sandy paths that seem to take you to another world. Hartland Manor should not be missed and Swanage Railway’s steam engine journeys offer a trip back in time. Natural attractions
abound from the Wareham Forest to Durlston Country Park to look for dolphins.
The small hamlet of Kimmeridge has a beautiful bay and dramatic cliffs. It is famous for its fossil finds and its unique geology means that it is home to many interesting marine creatures. The bay is part of the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and on the beach there is the Fine Foundation Marine Centre.
Worbarrow Bay is found just a short drive or a three mile walk along the Coast Path from Kimmeridge. Church Knowle is a pretty village found above Corfe Castle. The views driving through the village and on towards Kimmeridge are fantastic. Don’t forget to stop at the Margaret Green Foundation Trust animal sanctuary just outside the village and visit the rescued animals.
Corfe is overlooked by the outstanding ruins of Corfe Castle (C1086) perched above the village on a hill in a gap in the chalk ridge. Along with the castle, other attractions include a Model Village and interactive exhibition, the Village Museum, the Swanage Steam Railway and interesting shops including the Ginger Pop shop with lots of Enid Blyton memorabilia.
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Kingston, Worth Matravers and Langton Matravers are found south of Corfe Castle. These small villages are a popular destination not only for the South West Coast Path and the Jurassic Coast, but also for the area’s stone working history.
The BURNGATE STONE CARVING CENTRE provides facilities and expert tuition for traditional stone carving. The Centre also offers a variety of children’s and family activities in school holidays, a wide range of art and craft courses, exhibition of sculpture, local art and craft for sale and a small tearoom. Visitors welcome.
Stop in at the infamous Square and Compass pub in Worth Matravers to meet the locals and look around the fossil museum next door. You might be lucky enough to visit the pub when they have their annual Stone Carving or Pumpkin festivals! The delightful village tearooms can be found near the village pond.
This area was known as a smugglers haunt and a local walking trail ‘Smugglers’ Ways’ has been created from Worth Matravers down to the coast path to where smugglers were known to bring their goods ashore. Another walking route is the Purbeck Way, of which part travels from Corfe Castle down past Kingston and ends at Chapman’s Pool just outside Worth Matravers. There are also walks to Dancing Ledge and around Worth Matravers and St Aldhelm’s Head.
Why not visit Putlake Adventure Farm in Langton Matravers where you can bottle feed lambs and meet other farmyard animals? The Purbeck Producers group hold a local market here on the second Saturday of each month.
Swanage is small town surrounding a beautiful curved bay and offers a seaside experience with a difference. Enjoy the soft sand and the award winning beach front whilst being surrounded by Purbeck’s natural beauty and wildlife. There are many attractions including the pier, the beach, watersports and diving, boat trips, amusement arcades, beach gardens, heritage centre, Durlston Country Park, and the Purbeck Way.
All attractions can be accessed by SWANAGE RAILWAY which is one of the top attractions in the Isle of Purbeck. The heritage steam and diesel train service offers an unrivalled way to experience the beautiful Dorset countryside on a six mile journey between Swanage and Norden Park & Ride Station. Families can soak up the old fashioned atmosphere of Southern Railway while train enthusiasts, on the other hand, can have the thrill of driving a real steam engine on one of Swanage Railway’s Driving Experience courses. Visit the Swanage Railway website for more information.
THE YOUTH HOSTEL ASSOCIATION (YHA) is one of Britain’s top charities welcoming all individual travellers, families, school and youth groups, in a network of 200 budget accommodation Youth Hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns, in stunning rural, coastal and city locations throughout England and Wales. The YHA mission is to inspire all, especially young people, to broaden their horizons, gaining knowledge and independence through new experiences of adventure and discovery. To book accommodation please see advertisement.
26/02/2014 08:07 Steam Trains
NORDEN • CORFE CASTLE • HARMANS CROSS • HERSTON • SWANAGE Photo courtesy of Andrew P.M. Wright
Youth Hostel Association Swanage is ideal for a cheap family break, with stunning coastal scenery. This elegant Victorian villa offers Jurassic Coast accommodation with fine views across Swanage Bay and is minutes from a safe, sandy Blue Flag beach for your seaside break. Keep an eye out for dinosaur footprints along this stretch of Jurassic Coast! The hostel is just a few minutes walk from the town centre and you’ll find excellent food available in the licensed restaurant. YHA members can enjoy free Wi-Fi in social areas of the hostel.
Three miles north of Swanage is Studland a small village on the Purbeck peninsula, and the start of the 630 mile South West Coast Path national trail is found at Shell Bay and continues to Minehead in Somerset. The area is famous for its long sandy beaches, with water-sports and every conceivable requirement to enjoy this outstandingly beautiful area of Dorset. The local riding stables offer riding on the beach at certain times of year.
Old Harry Rocks near Studland is part of The Jurassic Coast which stretches for 95 miles to Exeter in Devon. The Chalk stacks which make up the group known as Old Harry date back to the Mezozoic era. There is an easy short walk from the village to Old Harry.
01929 425800
www.swanagerailway.co.uk 80
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