Where to stay, visit, eat and drink by Claire Fuller
STAY
Burnbake Campsite
Choose from 130 pitches in beautiful woodland or an open field. Bring your own (off-ground) campfire, hire a firepit or visit the onsite restaurant for your morning coffee and bacon roll. From £27 a night. burnbake.com
Halcyon Cottage
This 18th-century former farm building, converted to a stylish two-bedroom self-catering cottage, is only a 12-minute walk to Lulworth Cove. From £604 for a week.
classic.co.uk/holiday-cottage/desc-4693.html
The Pines Hotel
For a room with a sea-view balcony, this recently refurbished hotel with a clifftop garden is at the eastern end of stunning Swanage Bay. The restaurant looks over the bay and the Isle of Wight. From £99 for a double room. pineshotel.co.uk
FARM SHOP
Norden Farm Shop, near Corfe
Everything you could possibly need, including lots of local produce and a plastic-free milk dispenser.
nordenfarmshop.com
DELICACY
Purbeck Ice Cream
Award-winning ice cream made in the county for more than 30 years, within sight of Corfe Castle. purbeckicecream.co.uk/retail
WALKS
Godlingston Heath 3 miles
Park in Studland, near the Bankes Arms pub. Walk inland, crossing the main road near Studland Stores (buy picnic provisions). Go through kissing gate at end of Agglestone Road. Kiss. Go uphill towards the Agglestone, a good picnic spot. Head downhill towards the sea, bearing right through woodland back to main road (The Heath is pictured above left).
RSPB Arne 2 miles
The wheelchair-accessible ‘easy access’ Shipstal Trail at Arne takes in a variety of habitats, including ancient-oak woodland, and two viewing screens at the stunning salt marshes (top right). Tramper all-terrain mobility scooters are available to hire but best booked in advance. rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/arne
Studland to Swanage
4.8 miles
Walk south from Studland following the sign to Old Harry, up through a small wood and across wildflower pastures to Old Harry Rocks (above right). Follow the South West Coast Path, taking in the dramatic sea views, to Swanage. Walk back or catch the 50 bus (generally hourly) to Studland.
CRAFT
Burngate Stone Carving Centre
Half-day and longer stone-carving courses, and a shop with work by local stone carvers. burngatestonecentre.co.uk
