Page 115 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

DORSE T AND SOMERSE T  113

red squirrels and a rich array 4 Isle of Purbeck
of birdlife. Clearly marked trails Dorset. Map A3. 3 Wareham. g
spread out across the island, Shell Bay, Studland. n Swanage;
with some passing the site of 01929 422885. ∑ swanage.gov.uk
the world’s first ever Scout
camp, set up by Robert Baden The so-called Isle of Purbeck
Powell in 1907. is in fact a peninsula, and is the
Virtually enclosed, Poole source of the famous crystalline
Harbour joins the sea next grey limestone, known as
to Poole’s premier address, Purbeck marble, from which
Sandbanks, a sand spit boasting Corfe Castle and surrounding
some of the most expensive houses were built.
real estate in the country. Its The island is also fringed
appeal is easy to understand, with unspoiled beaches, part
with harbour views on one side of the World Heritage Jurassic
and a stretch of golden sands Coast (see pp116–17). Studland
on the other. A chain ferry at the Library at Kingston Lacy, a country house Bay, with its white sand and its
end of the spit takes cars and near Wimborne Minster sand-dune nature reserve, rich
passengers across the harbour in birdlife, has been rated one
mouth to the Isle of Purbeck. century, and the imposing grey of Britain’s best. The geology
Near Sandbanks is Compton edifice that can be seen today of the peninsula changes to
Acres. This varied and colourful dates from after 1043, when the southwest at Kimmeridge,
ornamental garden, conceived the church was refounded by where the muddy shale contains
as a museum of different garden Edward the Confessor (see p43). fossils and oil.
styles, is regarded as one of the Stone masons made use of the The main resort in the area is
finest privately owned gardens local Purbeck marble, carving Swanage, the port from where
in southern England. beasts, biblical scenes and Purbeck stone was transported
distinctive zigzag patterns. by ship to London, to be used
E Poole Museum Set in the 16th-century house for everything from street paving
4 High St. Tel 01202 262600. opposite the Minster, the Priest’s to church building. Unwanted
Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5pm daily; House Museum explores the masonry from demolished
Nov–Mar: 10am–4pm Tue–Sat, noon– rich history of rural East Dorset buildings was shipped back and
4pm Sun. Closed 1 Jan, 25 & 26 Dec. through different period rooms, used in the town – this is how
7 - = ∑ poolemuseum.co.uk
including a 17th-century hall Swanage got its wonder fully
O Brownsea Island and a working Victorian kitchen. ornate Town Hall façade, which
Poole. Tel 01202 707744. 4 from Poole was originally designed in 1670
Quay (every 30 min). Open Feb–mid- E Priest’s House Museum by Edward Jerman, a pupil of
Mar: 10am–4pm Sat & Sun; mid-Mar– High St. Tel 01202 882533. Open Jan– Christopher Wren, for the Mercers'
Oct: 10am–5pm daily. & 8 walking Mar, Nov & Dec: 10am–4pm Mon–Sat; Hall in London. The repurposed
tours. 7 limited. - = ø Apr–Oct: 10am–4:30pm Mon–Sat. façade features cherubs holding
∑ nationaltrust.org.uk Closed 24 Dec–5 Jan. & 7 limited. cloths for the Virgin Mary, the
Y Compton Acres - = ∑ priest-house.co.uk emblem of the Mercer's Company.
164 Canford Cliffs Rd. Tel 01202 700778.
Open Easter–Oct: 10am–6pm daily; Environs
Nov–Easter: 10am–4pm daily. Closed Designed for the Bankes family
1 Jan, 25 & 26 Dec. & 7 limited. - after the destruction of Corfe
= ∑ comptonacres.co.uk Castle (see p114), Kingston Lacy
was acquired by the National
3 Wimborne Trust in 1981. This quiet, forgotten
corner of Dorset can be explored
Minster using paths and “green lanes” that
date back to Roman and Saxon
High St, Wimborne, Dorset. Map A2.
Tel 01202 884753. @ Open Mar– times. The fine 17th-century
24 Dec: 9:30am–5:30pm Mon–Sat, house on the estate has an
2:30–5:30pm Sun; 25 Dec–Feb: excellent collection of paintings,
9:30am–4pm Mon–Sat, 2:30–5:30pm including works by Velázquez,
Sun. 7 5 Sun am & 6:30pm. = ( Rubens, and Titian.
Fri–Sat. ∑ wimborneminster.net
P Kingston Lacy
The fine church of Wimborne On B3082. Tel 01202 883402.
Minster was founded in 705 by Open House: from 11am daily (closing
Cuthburga, sister of King Ina of times vary). Gardens: 10am–6pm daily.
Wessex. It fell prey to marauding & 7 limited. 0 = ø Striking stone façade of the Town Hall in
Danish raiders in the 10th ∑ nationaltrust.org.uk Swanage, on the Isle of Purbeck

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