There’s so much to discover in Purbeck that it’s hard to select a few highlights – but here are some places and things to do which we know our visitors particularly enjoy and return to year after year:
 
Purbeck is a cyclist’s paradise; there is a myriad of  trails which take you through the area’s stunning countryside and coastline. Walking or cycling in Wareham Forest takes you through the exceptional heathlands and forests of this area. Stunning views of Poole Harbour can be seen from the trails to Studland through the Rempstone Estate from the Steam Railway at Norden, near Corfe Castle.  

 

 

This area is a hidden gem and offers a truly car free day-out directly from our centre at Wareham Train Station.  Most people follow the waymarked Sika Trail which passes close by The Silent Woman Pub near the end of the trail.  However, Wareham Forest can also provide an alternative day out at Farmer Palmer's theme farm which is ideal for families and has its own cafe on site. Ask about our discounted bike hire/entry fee family ticket!  More adventurous cyclists can explore farther afield within Wareham Forest and reach Bere Regis on the edge of the forest which has a couple of pubs serving snacks and meals.  Don't forget to admire the far reaching views from the iron age Woolsbarrow Fort and the really keen cyclists can leave Wareham Forest and continue South, venturing towards the base of the Purbeck Hills, ending up for lunch at East Holme Nursery with its marvellous cafe and strawberry picking field! 

 

 

Situated only a few flat miles from Wareham, our route takes you through the town before peeling off and following the quiet lanes to Arne which is a marvellous natural heath with much local history and a wealth of rare habitats and birds.  An abundance of Sika Deer live at Arne which made it their home many years ago after some of the deer reputedly left their home on Brownsea Island and swam across the harbour!  The RSPB own the nature reserve and they would love you to leave your car at home and cycle into this tranquil haven.  We have developed a family nature trail guide which can be collected from our bike hire centre or from the warden's building in the car park at Arne.  Learn about the flora and fauna in layman's terms and take a bit of this knowledge home with you!  Or you can just find your way to the small beach and soak up the sights and sounds of Poole Harbour.

 

 

You can either start from our centre at Wareham Station and cycle along quiet lanes for about 4 miles before reaching the off-road bridleways or be super organised and arrange for bikes to be delivered to Norden Park & Ride, the Corfe Castle based home to the Swanage Steam Railway.  We believe this location will one day make a fantastic trail centre due to its close location and almost direct access to the Rempstone Forest trails which criss cross an area once so rich in oil that old Jack Ryder who inherited the land was once known affectionately as the Sheikh of Dorset! The family still own this estate and oil activity continues in a sort of paradoxical harmony with the local habitat.    We have routes which take you to Studland beach and the National Trust cafe or The famous Bankes Amrs with its own micro brewery.  The scenery is jaw dropping at times, especially the routes which give you views of Corfe Castle, Swanage and Poole Harbour.  Try our ride which starts by taking the steam train to Harman's Cross before disembarking and returning via Brenscombe Hill with stunning views!

 

    

Most of our routes are based on the closest, flattest and most traffic-free trails around Wareham but there are an abundance of toher ares to discover especially if you put your bikes on the train and use the local rail service from Wareham for the start or finish of your cycle adventure.  For instance, you can cycle to Blue Pool, Kimmeridge, Lulworth, Bovington Tank Museum, Monkey World, Lawrence of Arabia's grave and Tolpuddle armed with only a bike, an ordnance survey map which you can get from our shop and a little energy and adventurous ambition.

 

So, leave your car behind and travel around Purbeck the environmentally friendly way.  This part of England will soon be a cyclists paradise so come now before everyone discovers it!