Find Tea and Cake (and lashings of ginger beer!)

Pedal around Purbeck to the Jurassic Coast and make the most of the local farm shops and village stores to stock up on supplies.

Don’t forget the area that boasts the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle was a favourite of children’s author Enid Blyton, so be sure to picnic on plenty of Dorset tea and cake and enjoy a few scoops of Purbeck ice cream.

If you’re feeling out of puff, there’s even a steam railway at Swanage to take the strain and get you and your bike back to the beginning in style.

This route is part off road, so a hybrid bike or mountain bike will be most suitable. The route along the Priests Way is a stone surfaced track however the section of the route over Purbeck Ridge is in fields and will be muddy after wet weather.

Which way round?

It’s up to you! Following the route anti-clockwise will generally make junctions easier.

Download a more detailed OS based map of the whole route here and of the Swanage town section here

You can choose to start this ride in Corfe Castle, Swanage or Norden Park and Ride, near Corfe Castle. However, you could also reach the start of the ride with an additional cycle from Wareham station.

Starting from Corfe Castle village:
By car: The village and roads get very busy in peak season, however during quieter periods you can use the public carpark or National Trust Castle View carpark off A351 at the foot of the castle (pay and display).
By bike: Plan your route on the Sustrans website
By bus: Route 40 runs through the town but does not take regular bikes

Starting from Norden Park & Ride
Close to Corfe Castle village, Norden Park & Ride offers cheaper long term parking and has footpath links (you will need to push your bike) to the village as well as station access to the Swanage Railway.

Starting from Swanage
By train: Swanage Railway run a regular steam train service between Norden Park & Ride, Corfe Castle and Swanage and do carry bikes.
By car: The town and roads get very busy in peak season, however there are a number of public carparks
By bike: plan your route here on the Sustrans website
By bus: Routes 40 and 50 of the Purbeck Breezer run regular services through the town but does not take regular bikes

For further public transport information, including route planner, visit dorsetforyou.gov.uk

Before you set off, it is worth checking location and opening times of the Dorset Food & Drink businesses we have listed in the route guides and maps:

• Swanage Bay Fish www.swanagebayfish.com
• Chococo www.chococo.co.uk
• Seventhwave Restaurant www.7eventhwave.com
• Nordon Farm Shop www.nordenfarm.com/farm-shop
• Corfe Castle Tea Rooms www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle/features/the-tea-rooms-at-corfe-castle
• Corfe Castle Village Stores www.corfecastlevillagestores.co.uk
• Square & Compass www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk
• Worth Matravers Tea and Supper Room www.worthmatraverstearoom.co.uk

Suppliers in the area (not open to public)
• Purbeck Ice Cream www.purbeckicecream.co.uk