Woodyhyde Campsite - Corfe Castle, Isle of Purbeck

Isle of Purbeck

In the south eastern corner of Dorset is the beautiful Isle of Purbeck. Purbeck takes up approximately 60 square miles and is almost completely bounded by amazing coastline. The Isle is a gateway to the Jurassic Coast, England's first World Heritage Site.

The Isle of Purbeck is literally packed full of places to explore and visit. Renowned for its diverse wildlife which includes rare birds and sea life with dolphins often seen along the coastline from Studland to Lulworth Cove. Studland is best known for its National Nature Reserve and its large, sandy beaches. Stretching for five miles they are ideal for swimming and for a whole range of water sports, which include sailing, diving and windsurfing.

Maybe visit Lulworth Cove which has recently been placed into the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline, the shell shaped cove, formed over millions of years, provides a great place to relax on the beaches, swim in the cove and also dive to the many great spots around the cove.

Swanage also boasts a long sandy beach and wonderful pier. On the clifftops near Swanage lies Durlston Country Park's 263 acres of delightful countryside. The park is perfect for walking, picnics or just relaxing and lucky visitors may even see the dolphins swimming in Durlston Bay.

Four miles south of Wareham is the beautiful and peaceful Arne Peninsula, one of England's most important nature reserves, managed by the RSPB. A host of wildlife can be seen here from the rare Dartford warblers to nightjars and as many as 22 species of colourful dragonflies. This is a fantastic place in the summer to watch thousands of wading birds, ducks and geese including avocets, black-tailed godwits and brent geese in winter. Ospreys are regularly seen on migration in late summer and early autumn and Sika deer can be commonly seen throughout the year.

Want to find out more about the Isle then visit the Isle of Pubeck website for a whole host of information.