~ Welcome to a stunning area of Dorset on the South Coast of England, also known as the ‘Isle of Purbeck’ ~
Film by Cenk
The Isle of Purbeck
Purbeck is dominated by the Jurassic Coastline, the chalk ridge known as the Purbeck Hills and bordered by Poole Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world. There are plenty of places to stay or visit including the popular seaside town of Swanage, the pretty historic town of Wareham or Corfe with its iconic Corfe Castle!
Although not an island in geographical terms Purbeck is bordered on three sides by sea and on the remaining side by the River Frome, giving Purbeck its peninsula character.
For anyone visiting Purbeck we have a great guide to exploring Purbeck’s towns and villages. Plus lots of great ideas for places to visit, tourist activities and What’s On in and around Purbeck. Perfect for planning your holiday to Purbeck!
We also have a selection of places to stay from quirky, independent hotels, to cosy bed and breakfasts or scenic, rural campsites.
And to make your holiday or visit to Purbeck complete we also have our popular guide to the many fantastic places to eat, in and around Purbeck, as well as a guide to our local shops including a fantastic range of good quality, independent retailers.
LOVE IT LOCAL Events
Here are our latest LOVE IT LOCAL Events, including our annual Christmas Concert alongside two events coming in 2024 featuring world famous Classical Guitarists Juan Martín & Carlos Bonnel. Book Tickets now to secure your seat!
Christmas Concert
Coming Saturday 9 DECEMBER at WAREHAM TOWN HALL from 6:30pm.
Featuring the award winning
Poole & Parkstone Singers and Athena Theatre Works
PURBECK GUITAR FESTIVAL
Check out Purbeck’s first multi-genre Guitar Festival organised by Love It Local! From Spanish Classical to Jazz, Blues and Rock, we have it all!
The festival will spans a whole week, from Saturday 26th May to June 1st. We hope the event will not only bring some great music to the area but will also be a great new attraction that many local hospitality businesses can join in with.
We are also inviting local establishments to put on concerts during the week. Please email us if you would be interested in your business taking part.
Concerts
There are already two great concerts featuring internatinally famous gutarists Juan Martín and Carlos Bonell at the lovely Priory Church of Lady St Mary in Wareham. Tickets for these concerts are available at visitpurbeckdorset.co.uk.
There’s even more!
We are also planning some gigs at local pubs as well as a special guitar evening with a buffet menu in a 15th century barn at the Kingston Country Courtyard!
If you would interested in finding out more about all the events planning then you can subscribe to our Guitar Festival mailing list.
Just drop us an email at info@loveitlocalpurbeck.co.uk, and request to join. Or you can follow our facebook page for updates.
Limited Tickets
COMING 31 May at the Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham
Love It Local proudly presents
juan
MARTÍN
'The chopin of the Flamenco Guitar'
- Berner Nachrichten, Switzerland
'One of the top three guitarists in the world'
- Guitar Player, USA
Limited Tickets
COMING 1 JUNE at the Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham
Love It Local proudly presents
Carlos
Bonell
"ONE OF THE GREAT COMMUNICATORS OF THE GUITAR WORLD"
- Classical Guitar Magazine
"A PLAYER OF SUPERB POETIC GIFTS"
- New York Times, USA
Other Events around Purbeck
Explore the amazing variety of events & festivals in and around the Isle of Purbeck this Winter
Dec 08 2023
Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
The Mowlem Theatre and Cinema, Shore Rd, Swanage BH19 1DD
No event found!
Purbeck's Attractions
Entertainment and Arts
A visitor guide to the entertainment and arts attractions in Purbeck, Dorset
Experiences, Sports and Adventure
A visitor guide to the entertainment and arts attractions in Purbeck, Dorset
Jurassic Coast and Beaches
A visitor guide to the Jurassic Coast and local beaches of Purbeck in Dorset
Nature and Wildlife
A guide to nature and wildlife attractions in and around Purbeck in Dorset
There’s a great variety of attractions for visitors and holiday-makers in Purbeck. From stunning cliffside views and beaches to grand, historic castles, as well as fascinating museums to family fun adventures, you’ll find no shortage of things to do around Purbeck.
Nature and Wildlife
Purbeck is one of the most biodiverse areas in the UK, which is reflected in the variety of local wildlife reserves in the area, such as RSPB Arne, Durlston Country Park and The Blue Pool.
Given that RSPB Arne features the largest natural harbour in the world, it’s no surprise that it’s absolutely teeming with wildlife – including a range of insects, birds, reptiles & mammels.
The staggering landscapes and cliffs of Durlston Country Park are a sight to behold, forming part of the famous Jurrasic Coast. If you love sealife, Durlston Country Park is worth a visit, giving you the opportunity to spot dolphins alongside other marine wildlife.
Part of the almost 400 year old Furzebrook Estate, The Blue Pool is a magical place to visit, with its beautiful glistening blue waters – it’s no surprise that its one of the most popular local attractions in Purbeck.
Heritage and History
Given that Purbeck has been inhabited since the Stone Age, it’s unsurprising that there are so many historic places to visit. From museums including Dinosour bones from the Cretaceous period, to Castles with rich and diverse histories, it’s difficult to find yourself uninterested by the history of this area.
Discover the iconic Corfe Castle, built shortly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century. Once home to royalty & nobility, it now stands in majestic ruins after the English Civil War resulted in its destruction by the Parliamentarians.
Visit the over 4 century old Lulworth Castle, once the family home of the Weld Family – the current owners of the Lulworth Estate. Ravaged by a fire that caused tremendous damage to the building in 1929, it has since been partially restored by English Heritage and the Lulworth Estate. The castle was built in the 17th century as a hunting lodge to entertain Aristocracy & Royality.
Purbeck Towns and Villages
Purbeck has a great variety of beautiful towns and villages to explore. From pretty rural seaside villages & towns to the spectacular landscapes of the Jurassic Coast, there is certainly no shortage of places to visit in this truly astonishing area.
Swanage offers a traditional English seaside town experience with its stunning coastal views, Victorian Pier, and lovely gift and souvenir shops. For a more rural, natural seaside part of the famous Jurassic Coast, visit the breathtaking Studland Beach.
Wareham is an fascinating historic market town, located on the banks of the river frome. Being one of the best preserved Saxon walled towns in the UK, it’s not a surprise that so many visit the town each year.
Purbeck’s smaller villages are also well worth exploring. The most famous is Corfe with its iconic Norman castle ruins towering over the pretty Purbeck stone village below and the heritage Swanage Railway steam trains chugging by.
Kimmeridge, and Lulworth are great places to enjoy and explore the amazing Jurassic Coastline. Or explore the inland countryside with a visit to the hill village of Kingston which has the most amazing views of Corfe and Purbeck below.
If you love history don’t miss a visit to Langton Matravers with its links to the Purbeck quarrying industry as well as the use of radar in the second world war.
Corfe
A visit to Dorset would not be complete without visiting the picturesque village of Corfe! Find out more at Visit Purbeck Dorset.
Read More Corfe
Langton Matravers
Langton Matravers is a pretty, rural village located 2 miles west of Swanage town centre.
Read More Langton Matravers
Swanage
Wareham
Welcome to Wareham, one of the most beautiful, and ancient, riverside towns in the country. Find out more at Visit Purbeck Dorset.
Read More Wareham
Purbeck Businesses
Do you fancy a trip down to the shop? Or do you fancy a meal out, or a place to stay on your holiday?
Find out more at our Food & Drink, Accommodation & Shopping pages.
Food & Drink
Discover Purbeck's wide variety of businesses that offer Food & Drink including:
Cafès, Restaurants & Pubs.
Cafès, Restaurants & Pubs.
Food & Drink
Accommodation
Find out more about Purbeck's diverse range of businesses that offer Accommodation including:
B&Bs, Campsites, Holiday Cottages, Hotels & Lodges.
B&Bs, Campsites, Holiday Cottages, Hotels & Lodges.
ACCOMMODATION
Shopping
Discover Purbeck's wide variety of businesses that offer a variety of products including:
Cards, Groceries, Pet Supplies, Clothes, Health & Beauty Products.
Cards, Groceries, Pet Supplies, Clothes, Health & Beauty Products.
