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Dorset Days Out

    Things to do in the Isle of Purbeck

    Today (Mon 9 Nov) · Isle of Purbeck

    Photo: Adam Jaden Chua

    The Isle of Purbeck takes in Wareham, Corfe Castle, Swanage, Studland and the coast round to Lulworth. Listings include Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Old Harry Rocks, the ruins of Corfe Castle, Tyneham village and the nature reserves at Arne and the Blue Pool. The Swanage Railway, bike hire at Norden and the Sandbanks Ferry are useful ways to get about without a car.

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    Open all year

    • Open all year

      The Etches Collection

      Kimmeridge · Isle of Purbeck · Heritage
      • Rainy day

      The Etches Collection is a modern museum in Kimmeridge showing fossils of the marine life of Jurassic Dorset, and the story of life and death in the Kimmeridgian seas 157 million years ago, in the age of the dinosaurs. A Jurassic giant known as Big Sara can be seen at set viewing times. The museum is open every day apart from over Christmas, there is no need to book, and one ticket lets you return free for a year.

    • Open all year

      Careys Secret Garden

      Isle of Purbeck · Gardens
      • Family-friendly

      Careys Secret Garden is a walled Victorian garden set against the backdrop of the Isle of Purbeck, rediscovered in 2019 and restored using rewilding and permaculture principles. The 3.5-acre site includes an arid garden, rose garden, orchard, wildflower meadow, tea and herb garden, food forest and wildlife pond. It suits families, with parent and toddler sessions on Friday mornings, and is open Wednesday to Saturday.

    • Open all year

      Cyclexperience

      Norden · Isle of Purbeck · Outdoor activities
      • Family-friendly
      • Car-free friendly
      • +1 more

      A bike hire centre in Purbeck Park offering mountain bikes and electric bikes for exploring the woodlands, heaths, beaches and hills of the Isle of Purbeck. Nine signed routes with pub stops cater for all ages and abilities, ranging from a 10 mile round trip to 24 miles. The centre is reachable by car, with a large car park, or by the Wareham to Swanage railway line, and is usually open from mid March to October.

    • Open all year

      Cumulus Outdoor Adventure

      Isle of Purbeck · Outdoor activities
      • Family-friendly

      An outdoor activity centre offering coasteering, climbing and abseiling, kayaking, paddleboarding, high ropes and bushcraft along the Jurassic coastline. Sessions suit families, private groups, schools and youth groups, with activities open to ages eight and upwards led by qualified instructors. A bunk-house residential centre is also available to hire.

    • Open all year

      Dorset Adventure Park

      Corfe Castle · Isle of Purbeck · Outdoor activities
      • Family-friendly
      • Dog-friendly
      • +1 more

      A waterpark and mud trail set in woodland near Corfe Castle, suited to families and groups. The 18-acre site features inflatable water obstacles across two lakes, a 2km muddy adventure trail, and a spring-fed sauna with plunge pool. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, and there is a picnic area with views of Corfe Castle.

    • Open all year

      Holme for Gardens

      Holme · Isle of Purbeck · Gardens
      • Dog-friendly
      • Rainy day
      • +1 more

      Holme for Gardens is a 15-acre landscaped garden and garden centre in the Isle of Purbeck, near the Jurassic Coast. Visitors can wander through wildflower meadows, lavender hedges, a wisteria walk and kitchen garden, with ponds and patios to sit around. There is also a large indoor conservatory and a grass amphitheatre used for summer theatre and concerts.

    • Open all year

      Old Harry Rocks

      Studland · Isle of Purbeck · Walks
      • Dog-friendly
      • Accessible
      • +1 more

      Old Harry Rocks are chalk stacks on Handfast Point at the southern end of Studland Bay, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and managed by the National Trust. The route is popular with walkers and cyclists along the South West Coast Path, with open grass areas for picnics and kayak trips available for a closer look. Dogs are welcome on a lead due to the cliff height.