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Purbeck Way: Wareham to Swanage or Kingston walk

Heathland, Corfe's ruined castle (NT), either south to the sea at Chapman's Pool or west along a spectacular ridge to the sea and Swanage.

Dorset National Trust Palace/Castle Purbeck Purbeck Way

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sat, 31-Jul-21 An Adventure in Purbeck (Wareham to Chapman Pool (via Kingston and Worth Matravers) or Swanage) 5 Five went on an adventure in Purbeck
Mon, 29-Aug-11 ? Swanage to Wareham, omitting Ballard Down
Stargazer

SWC Walk 76 (sort of): Wareham to Chapman Pool (via Kingston and Worth Matravers) or Swanage

Length: For both options, about 12.5 miles or 20 km….with options to extend or shorten. I have created a new GPX file for the suggested route via Kingston, Chapman Pool and Worth Matravers, back to Corfe Castle. This new GPX file can be found via the link below at the end of the post -- this full route is 16 miles/26 km. However, it can be shortened to 12-14 miles/20-22.5 km by taking a more direct route to Chapman Pool and/or catching the bus near Langston Matravers.

Difficulty: 5 out of 10

Train: Take the 8:35 AM South Western Weymouth train from London Waterloo arriving in Wareham at 10:48. To return you will need to catch a Purbeck Breezer 40 (sounds a bit like a cocktail) either in Swanage at the train station if finishing there, in Corfe Castle or Kingston if you finish there or a bus stop on the outskirts of Langton Matravers (about 1.5 km from Worth Matravers) back to Wareham. Buses leave Swanage at 17:05; 18:05; 19:10; 20:40 and trains leave Wareham at 18:28; 18:53; 19:28; 19:53; 20:42 and 21:30. The best combo is probably the 19:10 bus which connects nicely with the 19:53 train. Buy a day return to Wareham.

I am not sure if this particular walk has ever been done…but thought it might make a good alternative Purbeck outing avoiding the need for a potentially busy bus in the morning or taxi from Lulworth Cove in the evening….The start is similar to the Wareham to Lulworth Cove walk we have done in the past across heathery moorland to Corfe Castle. In Corfe, there is a choice to carry along the ridge towards Ballard Down and Swanage (with a possible extension to Old Harry Rocks) or making a circuit to Chapman Pool via Kingston and Worth Matravers with various ending points (Kingston, Corfe Castle or Langton Matravers). There are swimming options on both routes – either at Chapman Pool or in Swanage.

The walk is map-led and, for those headed towards Chapman Pool, I would suggest altering the route by going out via Kingston and then returning via Worth Matravers after your swim (why not visit both great pubs!)….I will make an updated GPX showing this option. You can find more information about the area and print the map/download the GPX here.

For those going to Swanage, lunch could be had in Corfe Castle (various options available) and for those heading towards Chapman Pool, lunch could be had at very charming Scotts Arms in Kingston (01929 480 270).

On the Chapman Pool route, late afternoon/evening drinks can be had at the Square and Compass in Worth Matravers (one of the best pubs in England according to SWC’s official pub and ale reviewer). In Swanage, there are loads of options….

Enjoy the walk and swim!

t=swc.76

Updated GPX, shown on a map
  • 30-Jul-21

    Anybody planning to go on this.

  • Anonymous
    30-Jul-21

    Well, I imagine the walk poster will, for a start....

  • 30-Jul-21

    Yes, definitely plan to be there....also everyone please note the new GPX file at the end of the walk post for the exploratory route to Chapman Pool via Kingston and returning via Worth Matravers...

  • Gavin Robinson
    30-Jul-21

    Im going. Lovely area which now quite well.

  • 31-Jul-21

    I also know this area and can highly recommend it but sadly won’t be able to join you as have booked for the Ealing Blues and Jazz festival all this weekend. ( and next) if anyone else is interested from west london.

  • 31-Jul-21

    Whose playing at Ealing.

    Perhaps one of the best walks ever. No 1 on the swc Web, perhaps.

    Good weather, a little rain, not much. Great place to swim in Chapmans Pool, incredible pubs and jerk food, some of the best cider from Joe's, and the Square and Compass apple press. And Enid Blyton almost joined us. Five go to Butterfly Bay mystery!! 🙄😱🐙

  • 01-Aug-21

    Five went on an adventure in Purbeck . A select 5 gathered on the platform in Wareham to set off on an adventure across the varied terrain encountered on the route to Kingston....First, through a market town with bustling Saturday market, then riverside, followed by a combination of open moorland with early heather in bloom and several pretty forest sections...Many butterflies were spotted along this stretch...We had one moderate passing shower...Eventually, we made it to the lovely Scotts Arms in Kingston where we enjoyed some of their special Caribbean menu initially outside with grand views over Corfe Castle, but a light shower forced us inside at an "almost outside" table also with fine views....During lunch we considered the options to Chapmans Pool the original longer and more "cliffy" route or a more direct approach down a valley....To maximize time at the pool, we went for latter and all five enjoyed a lengthy, refreshing dip in this dramatic spot surrounded by Purbeck cliffs....After our swim, we headed to Worth Matravers for a visit to the iconic Square and Compass for some much deserved refreshments from their wide collection of real ales and local ciders....yum....Again, we considered the options and decided the 19:10 bus from Swanage connected well with the 19:53 train, so opted to buy some take-way products from the Square and Compass to keep us hydrated on the long train journey home...which passed surprisingly quickly....I think all agreed that this new exploratory route was a success and well worth the travel time and train ticket....While not as dramatic as the long route to Lulworth Cove, it was lovely to have a more relaxed outing on the Isle Purbeck, taking time to enjoy some fine hostelries and a leisurely swim....under initially cloudy skies with two brief showers but then largely dry with many sunny intervals .

  • 01-Aug-21

    Respect to the famous 5 for defying the weather forecast on such a long journey. Any walk feedback, and photos, would be appreciated. The write up needs some TLC. In particular, how was the path down into the pool.

  • 03-Aug-21

    The walk down to Chapman Pool from Kingston was easy. Slightly more difficult up the zig zag path to go to Worth Matravers. The water was easy to swim in there, and I didn't find it cold.

    I stopped off in Bournemouth, Lymington, the Vibrant Forest Brewery, only keg ale served,and real cider, near Beaulieu, and Netley on the way back.

    The children's charity shop on Tooting High Street by Sainsburys has a new looking collection of the famous five series, including Five go Hiking, by Enid Blyton who based some of her books on this area.