Key Information. Self-Guided Walk Corfe Castle to Swanage

Transcription

1 Self-Guided Walk Corfe Castle to Swanage A classic walk from the pretty village of Corfe Castle. Enjoy extensive views whilst walking along the wide ridge to the popular seaside town of Swanage, returning by steam train or bus. Good well marked paths with some steep sections and steps. Jim Horton, route researcher Key Information Distance: 8 miles (13km) Time: allow 4 hours plus stops Route Grading: Start & Finish: Corfe Castle National Trust Visitor Centre car park off the A351 Distance Km Miles Directions Photographs Leave the National Trust Visitor s Centre car park, cross the road to the bus stop (with care). Through the gate and follow level path in direction Village Centre and Castle alongside stream. At the junction turn left crossing foot-bridge and road following asphalt path up to the village square (A). First gate Post office village square

2 Corfe Castle to Swanage Page 2 Distance Km Miles Directions Photographs Turn left passing The Greyhound Inn and bear left into East St. At the left hand bend cross the road and pass under the railway bridge on Sandy Hill Lane, and continue past Challow Hill car park to gate (B). Turn in Sandy Hill Lane Turn left after Challow Hill car park Through gate, the route follows the Purbeck Way. Take the left fork signed Ridge Path, Rollington Hill rising to the radio mast. To the right of mast, go through footgate, ahead on gently rising path keeping to ridge and on to gate in gorse boundary. Continue to top of Brenscombe Hill sign post Purbeck Way, Ulwell 2½ (C). Radio Mast Sign post to Ulwell Continue in same direction to a fork and take left hand path which runs parallel to the Purbeck Way, to enjoy views of the other side of the ridge (Brownsea Island and Poole harbour). Just past the tumuli on your right, and before the gorse boundary, return to the Purbeck Way via diagonal path to foot-gate and NT sign. Go through gate to stone junction (D) sign Ulwell 1¼. Tumuli (barrows) to the right Stone junction sign

3 Corfe Castle to Swanage Page 3 Distance Km Miles Directions Photographs Continue ahead towards a collection of masts. The path then bends to the right and descends, skirting Godlingston Hill, to a path junction. Continue in the direction Purbeck Way, Studland Rd ¼, and as you approach the road, bear left following the power lines, along a grassy track, through gate to the Ulwell Rd (E). Turn left at road junction and take the path on the right (Purbeck Way) in direction Old Harry which runs parallel to the road. Pass through gate, made of London Bollards, and at the sign Purbeck Way, Old Harry take the small path to the left with sign To the obelisk, To the Coast Path footpath. Ascend steeply with steps to the Obelisk. Turn right towards Ballard Down, sign 2½ Old Harry. Continue along the ridge past two crossing tracks, and with Isle of Wight in view ahead, to reach a small group of stones and tumulus (F) note gate just beyond. Grassy track to road Steps to Obelisk Gate before Ulwell Rd Approaching stones and tumulus prior to right turn

4 Corfe Castle to Swanage Page 4 Distance Km Miles Directions Do not pass through gate but turn right just before it at stone sign with yellow arrow To coast path, Swanage. Descend the grassy bank on the South West Coastal Path (SWCP) following marker stones labelled Coastal Path. This continues to descend on a stony path with steps down to a wooden bridge (G) Photographs A good option, if the tide is out. From wooden bridge (G), take the narrow path left, with steps, down to the beach. Turn right and finish walk along the beach and promenade, passing a clock tower, to the Mowlem Centre. Turn right along Station Road to Railway and Bus Stations Return to Corfe Castle and car park Alternatively, if the tide is in From wooden bridge (G) continue across the bridge and ascend the steep steps to an open grassy space. Cross this grass area, then bear right passing between houses to road Ballard Way. Continue following SWCP signs to main road junction at Ballard Down Stores. Turn left and continue along Redcliffe Road, passing All Saints Church on your right, to seafront. Walk along seafront to the Mowlem Centre and turn right along Station Road to Railway and Bus Stations Return to Corfe Castle and car park Approaching Swanage on SWCP Ballard Way left to Redcliffe Rd Wooden Bridge Turn off point to alternative beach route Swanage Station Cafe

5 Corfe Castle to Swanage Page 5 Local Information Refreshments: Corfe Castle Swanage National Trust tea-rooms at Visitor Centre and beside the Castle Model village tea-rooms - Public Houses - The Greyhound, Bankes Arms and Fox Inn Railway carriage Café at Swanage Station Good range of pubs, tea rooms and cafes within Swanage Facilities: Corfe Castle Swanage Public toilets, at Visitor Centre (good facilities) and National Trust offices (adjacent to The Square). Railway Station (Station Rd) - Heritage Railway (steam or diesel) to Swanage (Station Rd) ( Car Parks, at Visitor Centre and West Street. Shops, Post Office, Cash Machine. Public toilets at Bus/Railway station, Mowlen Centre, sea front etc. Bus Station (Station Rd) - Breezer No 40 ( Stops across the road from Corfe Castle Visitor Centre Railway Station (Station Rd) Heritage Railway to Norden via Corfe Castle (Station Rd) ( Car Parks, Victoria Ave (A351), Broad Rd, etc ( Places of Interest: Corfe Castle (National Trust) Mining Museum at Norden Small Village Museum on West St free Model Village

6 Corfe Castle to Swanage Page 6 Boilerhouse Gallery Corfe Castle Steam Railway Swanage Beach, shops, amusements, small museum, Heritage Stream Railway to Norden via Corfe Castle Please Note: All self-guided walks and cycle rides are undertaken entirely at guests own risk. Route directions are supplied in good faith; however HF Holidays cannot be held responsible for any errors contained within. HF Holidays Ltd, January 2015 Lulworth Lodge, Lulworth Cove, West Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5RQ. T:

7 This product includes mapping licensed from Ordnance Survey with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Licence Number PU This map was generated and printed by TrackLogs Digital Mapping software. For more information see

8 This product includes mapping licensed from Ordnance Survey with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Licence Number PU This map was generated and printed by TrackLogs Digital Mapping software. For more information see