Guidebook for Dorset
Food Scene
Great Cafe/Restaurant/Farm Shop in Wareham Town. Very local, high quality produce (25 mile radius) and a good cafe/restaurant. Their meat pies are ace!
Website: http://www.thesaltpig.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 550673
65 recommandé par les habitants
The Salt Pig
6 North StGreat Cafe/Restaurant/Farm Shop in Wareham Town. Very local, high quality produce (25 mile radius) and a good cafe/restaurant. Their meat pies are ace!
Website: http://www.thesaltpig.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 550673
Great Pub in the Village of Stoborough - just 500 yards from Pound Cottage on the main road towards Wareham. Very good food and a proper bar serving good beer and cider. Nice little outside drinking and eating area with views across to Wareham Town. It's always a contest between the steak and ale pie and their fish and chips!
Website:- http://www.thekingsarms-stoborough.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 552705
12 recommandé par les habitants
The Kings Arms
3 Corfe RdGreat Pub in the Village of Stoborough - just 500 yards from Pound Cottage on the main road towards Wareham. Very good food and a proper bar serving good beer and cider. Nice little outside drinking and eating area with views across to Wareham Town. It's always a contest between the steak and ale pie and their fish and chips!
Website:- http://www.thekingsarms-stoborough.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 552705
Poshest place to eat in Wareham; but with prices to match! Lovely setting by the River Frome and a top class menu on offer.
If you don't want to break the Bank then afternoon tea on the lawn is a lovely way to sample the Priory and still have some money left in your pocket.
Website: http://theprioryhotel.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 551666
26 recommandé par les habitants
The Priory Hotel
Church GreenPoshest place to eat in Wareham; but with prices to match! Lovely setting by the River Frome and a top class menu on offer.
If you don't want to break the Bank then afternoon tea on the lawn is a lovely way to sample the Priory and still have some money left in your pocket.
Website: http://theprioryhotel.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 551666
Good Pub right on Wareham Quay serving decent food. You can sit outside and just 'drink in' the bustle of Grockles down by the River.
The Pub also has quite a music scene (almost the only one in Wareham) with live groups on most Friday and Saturday nights.
Website: http://www.thequayinn.com
Telephone: 01929 552 735
15 recommandé par les habitants
Quay Inn, Wareham
The QuayGood Pub right on Wareham Quay serving decent food. You can sit outside and just 'drink in' the bustle of Grockles down by the River.
The Pub also has quite a music scene (almost the only one in Wareham) with live groups on most Friday and Saturday nights.
Website: http://www.thequayinn.com
Telephone: 01929 552 735
Nice restaurant with a great setting right on Wareham Quay and the River Frome and serving decent food. Ask for a table by the windows (River) downstairs or on the open Patio area upstairs.
Website: http://theoldgranarywareham.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 552 010
40 recommandé par les habitants
Old Granary, Wareham
The QuayNice restaurant with a great setting right on Wareham Quay and the River Frome and serving decent food. Ask for a table by the windows (River) downstairs or on the open Patio area upstairs.
Website: http://theoldgranarywareham.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 552 010
The Chipperies
15 South StreetTraditional fish and chip shop in South Street.
CAMRA-listed proper local Pub with a good restaurant attached. Renowned for good fish dishes on the menu. General knowledge Pub Quiz on Thursday evenings.
Website: http://www.dukewareham.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 553 015
The Duke Of Wellington
7 East StCAMRA-listed proper local Pub with a good restaurant attached. Renowned for good fish dishes on the menu. General knowledge Pub Quiz on Thursday evenings.
Website: http://www.dukewareham.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 553 015
Only Indian Restaurant in Town.
Website: http://www.rajpootwareham.com
Telephone: 01929 554 603
Raj Poot Tandoori
39 North StreetOnly Indian Restaurant in Town.
Website: http://www.rajpootwareham.com
Telephone: 01929 554 603
Lovely Pub in an absolutely perfect setting on top of the Purbeck Hills. If by any miracle the sun is shining then sitting out in the garden with views down to Corfe Castle is one of the most perfect places to be in the area. Nice CAMRA-listed Pub with food. The Mayor of Casterbridge was filmed here some years ago.
Website: http://thescottarms.com
Telephone: 01929 480 270
Scott Arms
Lovely Pub in an absolutely perfect setting on top of the Purbeck Hills. If by any miracle the sun is shining then sitting out in the garden with views down to Corfe Castle is one of the most perfect places to be in the area. Nice CAMRA-listed Pub with food. The Mayor of Casterbridge was filmed here some years ago.
Website: http://thescottarms.com
Telephone: 01929 480 270
The best Italian Restaurant in the area run by Italians - of all people! Authentic and very good.
Website: http://www.pinocchiosbournemouth.co.uk
Telephone: 01202 291081
Pinocchio Italian Restaurant
18 Poole HillThe best Italian Restaurant in the area run by Italians - of all people! Authentic and very good.
Website: http://www.pinocchiosbournemouth.co.uk
Telephone: 01202 291081
Excellent, if pricey, posh restaurant from the 'Pig' chain. Ace views out to sea with very good food. Only problem is getting a table so ring as early as you can!
Website: https://www.thepighotel.com/on-the-beach/
Telephone: 01929 450 288
165 recommandé par les habitants
The Pig on the Beach
Manor RoadExcellent, if pricey, posh restaurant from the 'Pig' chain. Ace views out to sea with very good food. Only problem is getting a table so ring as early as you can!
Website: https://www.thepighotel.com/on-the-beach/
Telephone: 01929 450 288
Shopping
The Caravan Shop is the closest small store to The Cottage. Good for basics, newspapers etc. Some 900 yards south along the main road towards Corfe Castle.
The Lookout Holiday Park
Corfe RoadThe Caravan Shop is the closest small store to The Cottage. Good for basics, newspapers etc. Some 900 yards south along the main road towards Corfe Castle.
Excellent, traditional butchers in Town. Very good meats and helpful, happy staff who will prepare your cuts of meat how you like them. Locals love the Scottish Beef and faggots!
Website: http://bcurtis.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 552 478
B Curtis Ltd
19 West StExcellent, traditional butchers in Town. Very good meats and helpful, happy staff who will prepare your cuts of meat how you like them. Locals love the Scottish Beef and faggots!
Website: http://bcurtis.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 552 478
Sainsbury's
South StreetMedium-sized supermarket in Wareham Town.
The Saturday morning market on Wareham Quay. Don't expect anything too grand!
Website: https://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/shopping/wareham-quay-market-p1387063
26 recommandé par les habitants
The Quay
21 The QuayThe Saturday morning market on Wareham Quay. Don't expect anything too grand!
Website: https://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/shopping/wareham-quay-market-p1387063
Drinks & Nightlife
A proper 'drinking man's' Pub with a Camra-listed selection of beers. Good, basic food served and occasional live music on at week-ends. Interestingly one of the very few thatched buildings left in Town after the Great Fire of Wareham in 1762 - after that building with a thatched roof was banned in Wareham.
Website: http://www.kingsarmswareham.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 552 503
8 recommandé par les habitants
Kings Arms Wareham
41 North StA proper 'drinking man's' Pub with a Camra-listed selection of beers. Good, basic food served and occasional live music on at week-ends. Interestingly one of the very few thatched buildings left in Town after the Great Fire of Wareham in 1762 - after that building with a thatched roof was banned in Wareham.
Website: http://www.kingsarmswareham.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 552 503
Special mention for The Square and Compass Pub in a little village called Worth Matravers on the top road between Corfe and Swanage. It’s a bit like The Slaughtered Lamb from American Werewolf and a true anachronism. Great atmosphere, drinks choice (take care of the home-brewed), weird mixture of locals and all sorts of everybody else. On top of this there is almost always live music on at weekends with just the most eclectic mix of bands you may ever come across. The only two problems are that usually the group takes up half the bar and you really need a taxi to get home because ‘there be dragons out there’ and no bus!
Website- http://squareandcompasspub.co.uk
Tel: 01929 439 229
92 recommandé par les habitants
The Square and Compass
Worth MatraversSpecial mention for The Square and Compass Pub in a little village called Worth Matravers on the top road between Corfe and Swanage. It’s a bit like The Slaughtered Lamb from American Werewolf and a true anachronism. Great atmosphere, drinks choice (take care of the home-brewed), weird mixture of locals and all sorts of everybody else. On top of this there is almost always live music on at weekends with just the most eclectic mix of bands you may ever come across. The only two problems are that usually the group takes up half the bar and you really need a taxi to get home because ‘there be dragons out there’ and no bus!
Website- http://squareandcompasspub.co.uk
Tel: 01929 439 229
Great Pub in Poole with great (piped) music. Has Mr. Kyps live music venue behind. We get the train to Parkstone and walk dow to the Pub - last train is around 11:30.
Telephone: 01202 748087
24 recommandé par les habitants
Bermuda Triangle
10 Parr StGreat Pub in Poole with great (piped) music. Has Mr. Kyps live music venue behind. We get the train to Parkstone and walk dow to the Pub - last train is around 11:30.
Telephone: 01202 748087
Great cellar bar in Poole - useful hideaway if your good lady has to go shopping! Again, the train to Poole is a good way to get home legally.
Website: http://www.blueboarpoole.co.uk
Telephone: 01202 682 247
Blue Boar
29 Market ClGreat cellar bar in Poole - useful hideaway if your good lady has to go shopping! Again, the train to Poole is a good way to get home legally.
Website: http://www.blueboarpoole.co.uk
Telephone: 01202 682 247
Funny little place CAMRA-listed which is very easy to miss. Nice little garden or a bar which feels like you are in the Landlord's sitting room. Good walks in the area.
Telephone: 01202 882259
12 recommandé par les habitants
The Vine Inn
Vine HillFunny little place CAMRA-listed which is very easy to miss. Nice little garden or a bar which feels like you are in the Landlord's sitting room. Good walks in the area.
Telephone: 01202 882259
Probably Wareham's 'trendiest' Bar (but there's really not much competition). Nice for lunch or a noisier evening - at least at week-ends.
Website: http://harrysbars.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 551 818
6 recommandé par les habitants
Harry's Cafe Bar
20 South StProbably Wareham's 'trendiest' Bar (but there's really not much competition). Nice for lunch or a noisier evening - at least at week-ends.
Website: http://harrysbars.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 551 818
Sightseeing
Corfe Castle is one of the must-see landmarks in the area. It never fell to an outright attack but to treachery. It's in a bit of a state now as it was a Royalist stronghold blown up on orders from Oliver Cromwell. Site of the fatal stabbing of King Edward the Martyr in 978; (some locals say that our lane is named Melancholy Lane because he was buried at the end of the Lane before being exhumed and taken to Salisbury Cathedral).
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle/history/view-page/item717942
425 recommandé par les habitants
Château de Corfe
Corfe Castle is one of the must-see landmarks in the area. It never fell to an outright attack but to treachery. It's in a bit of a state now as it was a Royalist stronghold blown up on orders from Oliver Cromwell. Site of the fatal stabbing of King Edward the Martyr in 978; (some locals say that our lane is named Melancholy Lane because he was buried at the end of the Lane before being exhumed and taken to Salisbury Cathedral).
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle/history/view-page/item717942
T E Lawrence's house (Lawrence of Arabia) where he finished writing The Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Just up the road is the spot where he was tragically killed in a motorbike accident.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clouds-hill
32 recommandé par les habitants
Clouds Hill
King George V RoadT E Lawrence's house (Lawrence of Arabia) where he finished writing The Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Just up the road is the spot where he was tragically killed in a motorbike accident.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clouds-hill
Thomas Hardy was born here in 1840 and where he wrote 'Far from the Madding Crowd". A beautiful and typical rural English cottage. (Wareham was Hardy's Anglebury; Dorchester was Casterbridge and Bournemouth was Sandbourne).
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardys-cottage
17 recommandé par les habitants
National Trust Hardy's Cottage
Cuckoo LaneThomas Hardy was born here in 1840 and where he wrote 'Far from the Madding Crowd". A beautiful and typical rural English cottage. (Wareham was Hardy's Anglebury; Dorchester was Casterbridge and Bournemouth was Sandbourne).
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardys-cottage
The iconic Cerne Giant just has to be seen. It even offers guaranteed fertility to ladies who pass the night asleep on a certain part of his anatomy! The village is lovely also.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cerne-giant
67 recommandé par les habitants
Cerne Abbas Giant
24 Long StThe iconic Cerne Giant just has to be seen. It even offers guaranteed fertility to ladies who pass the night asleep on a certain part of his anatomy! The village is lovely also.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cerne-giant
Dorset's oldest Church with 12th century wall paintings and an excellent effigy of Lawrence of Arabia. You borrow the key from Joys Men's Outfitters just down North Street. Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2006/03/03/st_martins_feature.shtml
St Martin's-on-The-Walls
North StreetDorset's oldest Church with 12th century wall paintings and an excellent effigy of Lawrence of Arabia. You borrow the key from Joys Men's Outfitters just down North Street. Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2006/03/03/st_martins_feature.shtml
One of the most famous trees in the country. This oak was the meeting point for The Tolpuddle Martyrs - the forerunners of today's Trade Unions. There is also an excellent Martyrs Museum and Pub in the Village. And every year there is the excellent free Trade Union Festival each year - 2017 Festival - Friday 14th July to Sunday 16th July - come and meet Mr. Corbin!
Websites: http://www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk/discoveries/newdiscoveries/2009/The+Tolpuddle+Martyrs+Tree
http://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk
The Tolpuddle Martyrs Tree
One of the most famous trees in the country. This oak was the meeting point for The Tolpuddle Martyrs - the forerunners of today's Trade Unions. There is also an excellent Martyrs Museum and Pub in the Village. And every year there is the excellent free Trade Union Festival each year - 2017 Festival - Friday 14th July to Sunday 16th July - come and meet Mr. Corbin!
Websites: http://www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk/discoveries/newdiscoveries/2009/The+Tolpuddle+Martyrs+Tree
http://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk
The Bankes family home (former owners of Corfe Castle) and art collection. Wonderful early year show of snowdrops.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy
16 recommandé par les habitants
Kingston Lacy Estate
Blandford RoadThe Bankes family home (former owners of Corfe Castle) and art collection. Wonderful early year show of snowdrops.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy
The famous 'Ghost Village' evacuated during the Second World War for tank training and never returned to the inhabitants after the War - even though it was promised. It is on the MOD tank range and you need to check the firing programme before visiting!
Websites: http://www.tynehamopc.org.uk
https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/lulworth-range-walks
67 recommandé par les habitants
Village de Tyneham
The famous 'Ghost Village' evacuated during the Second World War for tank training and never returned to the inhabitants after the War - even though it was promised. It is on the MOD tank range and you need to check the firing programme before visiting!
Websites: http://www.tynehamopc.org.uk
https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/lulworth-range-walks
The Dorset leg of Britain's longest long-distance path which runs 631 miles from Minehead to Poole. You can join any part of this truly fabulous footpath and have the most wonderful time. Well-signposted but certainly not easy walking along much of its length!
Website: http://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk
23 recommandé par les habitants
SW Coast Path
South West Coast PathThe Dorset leg of Britain's longest long-distance path which runs 631 miles from Minehead to Poole. You can join any part of this truly fabulous footpath and have the most wonderful time. Well-signposted but certainly not easy walking along much of its length!
Website: http://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk
A short but traditional pier out into Swanage Bay. The place to go fishing or crabbing or just to sit and watch the Great British Seaside at play!
Website: http://www.swanagepiertrust.com
Telephone: 01929 425806
31 recommandé par les habitants
Jetée de Swanage
Swanage PierA short but traditional pier out into Swanage Bay. The place to go fishing or crabbing or just to sit and watch the Great British Seaside at play!
Website: http://www.swanagepiertrust.com
Telephone: 01929 425806
Entertainment & Activities
Wareham's Public Sports Centre - you don't have to be a member. An excellent facility with all of the usual activities, a great pool and some outdoor tennis courts. Also there is a good bar/cafe upstairs.
Website: https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/purbeck-sports-centre
Telephone: 01929 500 000
Purbeck Sports Centre
Worgret RoadWareham's Public Sports Centre - you don't have to be a member. An excellent facility with all of the usual activities, a great pool and some outdoor tennis courts. Also there is a good bar/cafe upstairs.
Website: https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/purbeck-sports-centre
Telephone: 01929 500 000
Take a real steam train to Swanage from just outside Corfe Castle (at the Park and Ride). It's a good way to dodge the worst of the Summer traffic down to Swanage and its beach whilst experiencing the steam train through lovely countryside.
Website: http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 475 208
Swanage Railway Park And Ride
Take a real steam train to Swanage from just outside Corfe Castle (at the Park and Ride). It's a good way to dodge the worst of the Summer traffic down to Swanage and its beach whilst experiencing the steam train through lovely countryside.
Website: http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
Telephone: 01929 475 208
Wareham's truly iconic cinema - until recently it had gas lights! There is a bar and you can take your drinks up to watch the films. We used to wait years for new releases to hit the screen at "The Flea Pit' but now showings are right up-to-date.
Website: http://www.therex.co.uk/index.php
Telephone: 01929 552 778
13 recommandé par les habitants
The Rex Cinema
14 West StWareham's truly iconic cinema - until recently it had gas lights! There is a bar and you can take your drinks up to watch the films. We used to wait years for new releases to hit the screen at "The Flea Pit' but now showings are right up-to-date.
Website: http://www.therex.co.uk/index.php
Telephone: 01929 552 778
Monkey World is a very popular international ape rescue centre where you can see all manner of our close cousins.
Website: http://www.monkeyworld.org
Telephone: 01929 462 537
319 recommandé par les habitants
Monkey World - Centre de Sauvetage des Singes
LongthornsMonkey World is a very popular international ape rescue centre where you can see all manner of our close cousins.
Website: http://www.monkeyworld.org
Telephone: 01929 462 537
Great live music venue with some original groups but more tribute acts - get the train to Parkstone and have a drink at The Bermuda Triangle first!
Website: http://www.mrkyps.net
Telephone: 01202 748 945
6 recommandé par les habitants
Mr Kyps
8a Parr StGreat live music venue with some original groups but more tribute acts - get the train to Parkstone and have a drink at The Bermuda Triangle first!
Website: http://www.mrkyps.net
Telephone: 01202 748 945
Boat Hire by Wareham Bridge. Canoes, rowing boats and little motor boats. Also a small launch does guided trips up and down the river.
Website: http://www.warehamboathire.co.uk/index.html
Telephone: 01929 550 688
22 recommandé par les habitants
Wareham Boat Trips
3 The QuayBoat Hire by Wareham Bridge. Canoes, rowing boats and little motor boats. Also a small launch does guided trips up and down the river.
Website: http://www.warehamboathire.co.uk/index.html
Telephone: 01929 550 688
Everything Else
Great and friendly water sports centre right on Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach. Just about all the waterborne sports you can think of plus instruction available (and bicycle hire).
Website: http://www.thewatersportsacademy.com
Telephone: 01202 708 283
30 recommandé par les habitants
The Watersports Academy
15 Banks RdGreat and friendly water sports centre right on Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach. Just about all the waterborne sports you can think of plus instruction available (and bicycle hire).
Website: http://www.thewatersportsacademy.com
Telephone: 01202 708 283
Getting Around
No. 40 bus service between Swanage - Corfe Castle - Stoborough - Wareham - Poole. There are some open-topped routes in the Summer.
Bus Times website: http://www.morebus.co.uk/service.shtml?serviceid=3920
35 Corfe Rd
35 Corfe RoadNo. 40 bus service between Swanage - Corfe Castle - Stoborough - Wareham - Poole. There are some open-topped routes in the Summer.
Bus Times website: http://www.morebus.co.uk/service.shtml?serviceid=3920
Mainline railway station on the Weymouth - Dorchester - Wool - Wareham - Poole - Bournemouth - Southampton - Winchester - London Waterloo route.
Website for train times: https://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/globalassets/pdfs/timetables/pocket-tt-dec-2016/ptt-28-december-2016.pdf
Wareham Train Station
Mainline railway station on the Weymouth - Dorchester - Wool - Wareham - Poole - Bournemouth - Southampton - Winchester - London Waterloo route.
Website for train times: https://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/globalassets/pdfs/timetables/pocket-tt-dec-2016/ptt-28-december-2016.pdf
Wareham Taxi services:-
Jurassic Cabs - 01929 558 119
Kings Gabs - 01929 554 223
Phil's Cabs - 07824 492463
Purbeck Taxi Centre & Private Hire
1A South StWareham Taxi services:-
Jurassic Cabs - 01929 558 119
Kings Gabs - 01929 554 223
Phil's Cabs - 07824 492463
Lovely, flat cycle way for all ages with The Willet Arms at its northern end.
Website: https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/castlemantrailway
Castleman Trailway
Castleman TrailwayLovely, flat cycle way for all ages with The Willet Arms at its northern end.
Website: https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/castlemantrailway
A wonderful off-road cycle track from Spetisbury to Stourpaine along a disused railway line. A great day out and almost all along a disused railway line.
Websites: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/blandford-and-stourpaine-joined-new-trailway
North Dorset Trailway Stourpaine
A wonderful off-road cycle track from Spetisbury to Stourpaine along a disused railway line. A great day out and almost all along a disused railway line.
Websites: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/blandford-and-stourpaine-joined-new-trailway
Excellent bike repair shop which also hires out bikes and offers trails to ride, (the Tourist Office in Wareham library also have loads of good cycle routes to try). Cycle Experience are housed within the Railway Station buildings.
Wareham Cycleworks LTD
Excellent bike repair shop which also hires out bikes and offers trails to ride, (the Tourist Office in Wareham library also have loads of good cycle routes to try). Cycle Experience are housed within the Railway Station buildings.