• Share:

Main Instructor:

Click to View: WALX Dorset Instructor Page

Hosted By:

Chris Pole

Walk Description:

Join me for a Purbeck Festival recce from the National Trust carpark at Corfe Castle. around 6.5 miles.

The begining of the walk is very steep but then becomes considerably easier after that.

The views are worth it and we will stop half way up the hill to get the full effect of being opposite

Corfe castle itself. 

Built just after the Norman conquest of 1066. Prior to this a large Anglo-Saxon structure stood on the

site. Some more up to the present day history has the Bankes family buying the estate and then

Kingston Lacy. In 1982 both estates were bequeathed to the NT by the seven times great grandson of

Sir John Bankes. The Bankes estate is one of the most generous gifts in NT history by Henry John Ralph

Bankes 1902- 1981.

From the top of Knowle Hill we look down on Church Knowle then head toward Stonehill Down. 

Views are towards Kingston, Grange Arch and beyond with the sea in the distance.

There is the option for another steep but shorter climb to a viewpoint taking in the whole area 

and back across Poole harbour to Bournemouth.

Then down to the halfway point of The Cake House tea room for a late lunch or just cake!

You can get tap water to refill your bottle here.

The food is delicious. There are toilets outside and there is a room to shelter in if the weather is

inclement. We are around half way at this point.

Following our rest it's into the woods, another short climb before we emerge back at Corfe

Castle.

When you arrive in Corfe Castle the carpark is on the left coming from Wareham, please pay or use your

NT card for a ticket. Toilets are in the nearby building.

It would help the cafe if we can place orders for lunches in the week before as it is a busy place. 

"The Cake House Tea

Room", East Creech, 07551819552. email; amy@eastcreechfarm.co.uk

Please car share, do ask about lifts with me from East Dorset.

Location Notes:

Meet in the National Trust car park