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Norden Plantation
Norden Farm
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East Creech
Purbeck Way
Corfe Castle
Quarry
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West Hill
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Stonehill Down Nature Reserve
Exploring Corfe Castle We take a trip to Dorset for some trail walking adventures with Rebecca and Cavalier, Lily.
Cocknowle
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CHURCH KNOWLE
Let’s go! To get started, make your way to The Square and pass the National Trust coffee shop and visitor entrance to the castle. Here, you’ll follow a tarmac path in between the castle’s perimeter walls and the River Corfe. Cross the road and pass through a gate, over the footbridge and head to the left. You’ll then bear to the right and reach another gate, proceed through and pick up a path (the Hardy Way) that inclines gently towards the Purbeck Ridge, with a fence along the left. You’ll eventually reach a marker stone and here, continue ahead towards Knoll Hill and Cocknowle until you pass through a gate. Look for another marker stone at a fork in the path, choosing the right hand side to follow an uphill track towards the Ridge Path.
Heading through a metal gate guides you up to the top of the ridge onto a wide, grassy walk across Knoll Hill. Take a moment to appreciate the panoramic views across the Purbecks, Egdon Heath and Wareham Forest. A glance to the left showcases the pretty little settlement of Church Knowle, where the Margaret Green Animal Sanctuary can be found, a rescue centre that’s been in the village since 1965, helping pets to find their forever homes. Two further gates await ahead. Go through these, continuing past a commemorative stone, then descend, making your way through a metal gate on to a lane. Here you’ll observe a quarry. Continue along for a short while (approx. 50m) and pass through another metal gate that leads you onto the path for Ridgeway Hill. Once at the top, you’ll find a handy marker where you’ll need to turn right downhill following a track that leads you to another metal gate.
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About this wonderful walkie Over in the Purbecks, a Jurassic landscape in the heart of Dorset, you’ll discover the village of Corfe, home to the historic ruins of a 1,000 year old castle. With enticing views across Poole Bay, on a clear day stretching as far as the Isle of Wight, taking a trip up to the Purbeck Ridge is both a challenge and a reward. This circular six-mile amble requires a good level of fitness for both yourself and your four-legged friends. Canine companions will need to be kept on lead due to the wildlife and livestock scattered across the fields and hills…there’s even a duck pond along the way. Make your way round and then rewards await for your efforts in Corfe’s centre with a number of delightful places for a post-trek beverage and re-fuel.
Walk Profile Distance: Approx six miles Duration: Allow 2-3 hours
Terrain: A mixture of grassy, woodland and stone paths with a section of road Parking: West Street car park (BH20 5HH) Refreshments: Corfe Castle coffee shop, The Greyhound and The Bankes Arms
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Steam train leaving Corfe heading to Swanage
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