Things to do in Wareham

Address: Handfast Point, South West Coast Path, Isle of Purbeck

Old Harry Rocks are three large chalk formations located at Handfast Point. They include a stack and a stump. Located on the Jurassic Coast, these rocks are beautiful, bright white sites that line the coastline stunningly, especially in the sunlight. You can't miss them when you arrive in the area. You can reach them from South Beach Car Park at Studland Bay. Then, explore the mile-long walk into the grasslands at the top of each area. The views in every direction are mesmerising.

Address: 3 The Quay, Wareham BH20 4LP

For a few hours on a perfect day, spend some time cruising down the River Frome. A Wareham River Cruise is a fantastic way to see the area and is very much relaxing. You'll get to see the historic town of Wareham in all of its beauty. King Alfred the Great built the earth ramparts here. Shorter cruises are available for those who may be looking for a way to simply explore the area’s natural beauty. The availability of the cruise is dependent on that day’s tide, so check before you head out!

Address: Town Hall, East St, Wareham BH20 4NS

There’s often talk about the history of this town, and the Wareham Town Museum is the best possible location to explore it. The museum tells the story of the city from its prehistoric times through modern day. There's no cost to the museum, but it's well worth spending a bit of time taking in the displays and artefacts here. The exhibits are fabulous and include the Saxon Sword, social history, pottery, geology, and other displays that document the area's expansive history.

Address: Linsay Rd, Bovington, Wareham BH20 6JG

The Lawrence of Arabia Trail takes you along a leafy woodland. It starts at the Tank Museum at Bovington. At full length, this is a nearly seven-mile trail, but there are shorter sections you can explore as well. This is a circular trail. During the route, you will come upon Lawrence of Arabia’s home at Cloud Hills. A few minutes later, you will also visit the cemetery at Moreton, his final resting place. The trail is beautiful with water and bricked paths.

Address: The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5EZ

Corfe Castle is a 1000-year-old royal castle. Its remains are impressively beautiful, though it has suffered significant damage throughout its history during wartime. This Norman fortress and royal palace was a family home for many centuries. Though royalty has long called it home, there are many stories here of the people who lived and worked at the castle.

Today, you can explore the past with a visit. Various events take place here to help showcase that history, such as opportunities to learn about the story of Edward the Martyr and the medieval history. For King John, it served as a type of prison sometimes, as well as a refuge and later has a luxurious country home.

The Saxons originally built the Wareham Town Walls as a way to defend the community from the Viking attacks. The walls date back to the 9th-century. While those times have passed, the beautiful structures remain. The Wareham Town Walls Walk is a circular walk around these walls. The walls surround the town on three sides and are now topped with grass. These walls, which are earth mounds, are a fantastic place to watch wildlife in the area. The walk itself is about a mile and takes 45 minutes.

Address: Bloxworth, Wareham BH20 7EU

For those who want to take in the natural beauty of Wareham, there's no better way to do so than a visit to the Wareham Forest.  

Well-behaved dogs are welcome to explore the forest with you. It's a living forest with numerous animal habitats, special plants and wildlife that aren't found elsewhere, and Woodlarks, who might just sing to you along your way. Biking and hiking through the forest are fantastic ways to navigate its natural beauty.

This holiday park in Dorset is a fabulous location to explore right at the mouth of the Rock Lea River. Rockley Park offers a lot of fun things to do aside from enjoying the beautiful cove and sailboats. The holiday park offers both indoor and outdoor pools, lots of entertainment, and Crazy Golf. For others, nothing is more soothing than a walk along the neighbouring beach or going for a hike in the woodland. A stay here is one of the best things to do in Wareham.

Another brilliant holiday park in Dorset is the nearby Seaview. Seaview is fabulous because of the natural rolling hills and fields that surround it. This is an area that is fabulous to explore simply by walking the area’s trails. There’s more to do, though. Those who stay here can explore the nearby Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Weymouth Bay Holiday Park is only moments away and offers a range of fun activities including a climbing wall, a mini aerial adventure, beaches, and two pools, with the perfect lazy river.