The charming market town of Wareham lies at the gateway to Purbeck and is known for its scenic riverside walks, traditional stone buildings and ancient Saxon Walls.
The Isle of Purbeck is renowned for its spectacular scenery, including Poole harbour, the largest natural harbour in Europe. The area also features England''s first natural World Heritage Site, the Jurassic coast, with its unique geology and fossils dating back millions of years.
If you love the outdoors, you will be spoilt for choice in Wareham. The town is surrounded by beautiful countryside, sweeping cliff walks and breathtaking views. There are numerous walking and cycling trails and activities such as bird watching and fishing. Close to the town is Wareham Forest, with its nature reserve and large valley mire habitat.
The town itself features several attractions, including the Saxon stone walls and the Wareham Town Museum. Visitors should not miss ‘The Quay’, which overlooks the River Frome. From here, you can take a boat trip up or down the river or simply enjoy the view from one of the quayside cafes or bars. There are walking trails adjacent to the river where you can enjoy spectacular views out towards the Isle of Purbeck.
Wareham is famous for its historic, gas-lit cinema, The Rex, the only one remaining in Britain. There is also a good range of shops, including boutiques selling arts and crafts and a monthly farmers'' marketing providing local produce. There are several bakeries selling mouth-watering cakes and bread baked on the premises and a number of traditional fish and chip restaurants.
Wareham is a great base to explore some of Dorset''s best attractions. Take the kids to the family seaside resort of Swanage or visit Monkey World, the famous ape rescue centre. A highlight is the magical village of Corfe, which is constructed from local grey Purbeck limestone and is famous for its castle.
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