The Corfe Castle, or rather what’s left of it today, sits boldly on top of a 55-meter-high hill surrounded by the bright green of the surrounding countryside. If history, mystery, war, and turmoil capture your interest, a visit to the Corfe Castle ruins will result in an excellent day out. The ruins themselves stand at 21 meters tall, made of gleaming Purbeck Limestone that can be seen from miles around. The first stone of this castle was laid down more than 1,000 years ago and even from the little that is left of it, it is easy to see it was built to be an impressive, imposing building. This castle is associated with miraculous events and also a murdered king that was later made a Saint. The story of King Edward himself is shrouded in the mists of time and details are not specific. Some say he was murdered when visiting his stepmother Elfryda and half-brother Ethelred at the Castle and some argue the order to kill him was given by his stepmother’s herself. What is certain is that the young Edward and Ethelred had a succession of disputes following the death of their Father. Since Edward was killed and […]

Durlston is an area of Swanage, located within Dorset, England. The area consists of large residential storybook homes that fit the ideal dollhouse architecture that Victorian-era architecture is famous for. Rather than being painted in bright, eye-catching colors, the homes in the area are painted in more traditional colors like white and gray. If you’re looking to move in the area, this neighborhood offers a beautiful environment that is situated close to the coast and located within close proximity to many areas of interest in the Durlston area. One of the flats that we found for sale was just a 5-minute walk away from the beach and Town Centre. For longer journeys, transportation is very accessible in the area, with the Swanage Railway, public buses, and a ferry service all located close by. The area is close to other essential services as well, including the Swanage Primary School, Swanage Methodist Church (among others), Swanage Town Hall, Fire Station, Post Office, grocery store, and pharmacy. If you’re looking into the Durlston area, then you will almost definitely come across the Durlston Country Park at some point. While this article doesn’t focus on the park, we do feel obligated to give a […]

Breathtaking views, shimmering water, pebbles strewn with prehistoric fossils and dark imposing cliffs are some of the ingredients that make up the splendor of Chapman’s Pools. This stunning geological site has endured millions of years of erosion, both from the sea and from the rain, that has created a dramatic, yet peaceful location where locals and tourists alike can bask in this unspoiled natural beauty. There are multiple routes that one can take to arrive at Chapman’s Pool, however the most popular, and possibly the easiest way, is by walking from the car park in the picturesque little village of Worth Matravers, found in Dorset, that takes you along a nice walk down the 400ft descend down to the natural cove itself. The walk is perfect for photographers and nature enthusiasts as one can encounter a diverse amount of insects, lizards as well as migrating birds that find shelter in the surrounding bushes that outline the coast. It is important to note that the walk down can be quite challenging, even on the sunniest of days, due to the uneven steps, slippery pebbles and the occasional landslides that help to expose the thousand-year-old fossils that make this spot so popular. […]

Located at the Eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, the Old Harry Rocks are a feast for the eyes as they glimmer bright white contrasting with the green fields above and the blue of the sea below. This area can be enjoyed from atop the cliffs, with amazing views of the sea or from below aboard a boat or Kayak. From below, the dramatic shapes of the rocks and cliffs above are really something to marvel at. Those are just a few of the amazing things one can see along the Jurassic Coast. You can find more information about other sites and places of interest, the best way to arrive and activities that you can embark upon when vising this unique piece of coast that has survived millions of years. Where Are They Located? Old Harry Rocks is located at Handfast Point on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. It is made up of three rock formations that are made out of chalk, the three rocks include a stack and a stump. It has been classified as the most eastern point of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jurassic Coast. The rocks lie directly east of Studland and are about 1.5 […]

If you’re a dog lover, then you’re probably looking to bring your furry friend along with you for adventures whenever possible. For most dogs, cooling down and splashing around in the ocean is one of the best adventures to be had. Fortunately, Dorset is a very dog-friendly place, and there are several beaches that welcome dogs located within the area. Regardless of whether you’re looking for peace and quiet or popular, activity-filled spots, Dorset offers different types of dog-friendly beaches that are appealing to everyone. We’ve compiled this list of the top 8 dog-friendly beaches in Dorset for those looking for a fun day out with man’s best friend on one of the location’s beautiful coastal beaches.   Durdle Door Beach Durdle Door Beach in Weymouth is a famous cove named after its iconic, naturally-formed limestone arch that features crystal-clear turquoise waters. Walking, hiking and other activities can be enjoyed by both humans and animals at the location. Note that waste bins are not provided, so you’ll need to come prepared to clean up after your dog.  Steamer Point Beach and Nature Reserve Steamer Point Beach and Nature Reserve is yet another dog-welcoming venue that features trails through the woodlands, two […]

The Anvil Point Lighthouse is a beautiful, twelve-meter tall Lighthouse that was constructed from quarried stone in 1891 to give guidance to vessels traveling along the English Channel coast. In 1894, an explosive fog signal was added to sound off every ten minutes in foggy weather. Modifications in 1960 replaced some of the older features with more improved, automatic equipment. Today, some of the property has been converted into holiday homes as well. History of the Anvil Point Lighthouse The lighthouse is constructed of local stone and was completed in 1881. The lighthouse tower is twelve metres in height, while the height of the light above the high-water level is 45 metres. The light is positioned in such a way to provide a waypoint for vessels passing along the English Channel coastline. The light was initially illuminated by a paraffin vapour burner, but in 1960, the lighthouse would be brought into the modern age with the addition of electricity. The light would become fully automated in May of 1991 and is currently monitored and controlled directly from the Trinity House Operations Control Centre located at Harwich. The lighthouse originally had a 1,000 watt filament lamp with a light intensity of […]

The Swanage beach huts are available to hire all year round for daily, weekly and seasonal hire periods. They are a popular feature of the Swanage beached which allows you to have comfort and privacy while looking out to sea. They are also perfect for storage, leaving your swimming equipment at the beach, saving you from carrying them down every time you visit. The Shore Beach Huts: There are 60 beach huts available all year round and are located opposite the beach. These are the nearest beach huts to Swanage which is only 100 metres away and are perfect for those with kids. All huts are accessible, apart from number 1 to 14 which have steps to access. The Spa Bungalows: These are perfect if you are looking to get away from the crowds, they are positioned above Shore Road and overlooking the bay. They each contain a table, four chairs as well as electricity. These huts are limited as many are going through refurbishment that could take up to four years to complete. The Spa Retreats: These are the high specification beach huts, offering you comforts away fro the crowd and with spectacular views. They come with double-glazed doors, […]

E.M. Forster, an English novelist and writer once wrote: “If one wanted to show a foreigner England, perhaps the wisest course would be to take him to the final section of the Purbeck Hills, and stand him on their summit, a few miles to the east of Corfe.“ The Purbeck Hills which are also sometimes referred to as the Purbeck Ridge is a set of hills and ridges made out of chalk found in Dorset, England. The ridge stretches from Lulworth Cove in the west all the way to Old Harry Rocks in the east where the ridge meets the sea. Purbeck Hills are part of a system of chalk downlands in the south of England which form the chalk group, other areas of this group include Salisbury Plain and the South Downs. The majority of the hills and ridge have been protected from coastal erosion due to a stretch of resistant Portland limestone. The sections where this line of resistant rock forms, the ridge and hills have been worn away which has resulted in the formation of Poole Bay and the Solent. The ridge of chalk that forms the Purbeck Hills continues further east and can be found on […]