SWC Walk 76 (sort of): Wareham to Chapman Pool (via Kingston and Worth Matravers) or Swanage
Length: For both options, about 12.5 miles or 20 km….with
options to extend or shorten. I have created a new GPX file for the suggested route via Kingston, Chapman Pool and Worth Matravers, back to Corfe Castle. This new GPX file can be found via the link below at the end of the post -- this full route is 16 miles/26 km. However, it can be shortened to 12-14 miles/20-22.5 km by taking a more direct route to Chapman Pool and/or catching the bus near Langston Matravers.
Difficulty: 5 out of 10
Train: Take the 8:35
AM South Western Weymouth train from London
Waterloo arriving in Wareham at 10:48. To return you will need to catch
a Purbeck Breezer 40 (sounds a bit like a cocktail) either in Swanage at the
train station if finishing there, in Corfe Castle or Kingston if you finish
there or a bus stop on the outskirts of Langton Matravers (about 1.5 km from
Worth Matravers) back to Wareham. Buses leave Swanage at 17:05; 18:05; 19:10;
20:40 and trains leave Wareham at 18:28; 18:53; 19:28; 19:53; 20:42 and 21:30. The best combo is probably the 19:10 bus which connects nicely with the 19:53 train. Buy a day return to Wareham.
I am not
sure if this particular walk has ever been done…but thought it might make a good
alternative Purbeck outing avoiding the need for a potentially busy bus in the
morning or taxi from Lulworth Cove in the evening….The start is similar to the
Wareham to Lulworth Cove walk we have done in the past across heathery moorland
to Corfe Castle. In Corfe, there is a choice to carry along the ridge towards
Ballard Down and Swanage (with a possible extension to Old Harry Rocks) or making
a circuit to Chapman Pool via Kingston and Worth Matravers with various ending
points (Kingston, Corfe Castle or Langton Matravers). There are swimming options on both routes – either at Chapman Pool
or in Swanage.
The
walk is map-led and, for those headed towards Chapman Pool, I would suggest
altering the route by going out via Kingston and then returning via Worth
Matravers after your swim (why not visit both great pubs!)….I will make an updated GPX showing this option. You
can find more information about the area and print the map/download the GPX here.
For those
going to Swanage, lunch could be had in Corfe Castle (various options
available) and for those heading towards Chapman Pool, lunch could be had at
very charming Scotts Arms in Kingston (01929 480 270).
On the
Chapman Pool route, late afternoon/evening drinks can be had at the Square and Compass in Worth Matravers (one of the best pubs in England
according to SWC’s official pub and ale reviewer). In Swanage, there are loads
of options….
Enjoy the
walk and swim!
t=swc.76
Updated GPX, shown on a map
9 comments:
Anybody planning to go on this.
Well, I imagine the walk poster will, for a start....
Yes, definitely plan to be there....also everyone please note the new GPX file at the end of the walk post for the exploratory route to Chapman Pool via Kingston and returning via Worth Matravers...
Im going. Lovely area which now quite well.
I also know this area and can highly recommend it but sadly won’t be able to join you as have booked for the Ealing Blues and Jazz festival all this weekend. ( and next) if anyone else is interested from west london.
Whose playing at Ealing.
Perhaps one of the best walks ever. No 1 on the swc Web, perhaps.
Good weather, a little rain, not much. Great place to swim in Chapmans Pool, incredible pubs and jerk food, some of the best cider from Joe's, and the Square and Compass apple press. And Enid Blyton almost joined us. Five go to Butterfly Bay mystery!! 🙄😱🐙
w=Five-went-on-an-adventure-in-Purbeck. A select n=5 gathered on the platform in Wareham to set off on an adventure across the varied terrain encountered on the route to Kingston....First, through a market town with bustling Saturday market, then riverside, followed by a combination of open moorland with early heather in bloom and several pretty forest sections...Many butterflies were spotted along this stretch...We had one moderate passing shower...Eventually, we made it to the lovely Scotts Arms in Kingston where we enjoyed some of their special Caribbean menu initially outside with grand views over Corfe Castle, but a light shower forced us inside at an "almost outside" table also with fine views....During lunch we considered the options to Chapmans Pool the original longer and more "cliffy" route or a more direct approach down a valley....To maximize time at the pool, we went for latter and all five enjoyed a lengthy, refreshing dip in this dramatic spot surrounded by Purbeck cliffs....After our swim, we headed to Worth Matravers for a visit to the iconic Square and Compass for some much deserved refreshments from their wide collection of real ales and local ciders....yum....Again, we considered the options and decided the 19:10 bus from Swanage connected well with the 19:53 train, so opted to buy some take-way products from the Square and Compass to keep us hydrated on the long train journey home...which passed surprisingly quickly....I think all agreed that this new exploratory route was a success and well worth the travel time and train ticket....While not as dramatic as the long route to Lulworth Cove, it was lovely to have a more relaxed outing on the Isle Purbeck, taking time to enjoy some fine hostelries and a leisurely swim....under w=initially-cloudy-skies-with-two-brief-showers-but-then-largely-dry-with-many-sunny-intervals.
Respect to the famous 5 for defying the weather forecast on such a long journey. Any walk feedback, and photos, would be appreciated. The write up needs some TLC. In particular, how was the path down into the pool.
The walk down to Chapman Pool from Kingston was easy. Slightly more difficult up the zig zag path to go to Worth Matravers. The water was easy to swim in there, and I didn't find it cold.
I stopped off in Bournemouth, Lymington, the Vibrant Forest Brewery, only keg ale served,and real cider, near Beaulieu, and Netley on the way back.
The children's charity shop on Tooting High Street by Sainsburys has a new looking collection of the famous five series, including Five go Hiking, by Enid Blyton who based some of her books on this area.
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