Purbeck Ridge

The Purbeck Ridge is a dominant steep sided, undulating chalk ridge, separating and contrasting to the flat heathlands in the north and the patchwork landscape of the Corfe Valley to the south.

The Purbeck Ridge is a dominant steep sided, undulating chalk ridge, separating and contrasting to the flat heathlands in the north and the patchwork landscape of the Corfe Valley to the south. The physical dominance of this dramatic landform is clearly evident from the surrounding landscapes. With its bold and striking form, it provides a significant visual barrier only broken by the fascinating gap at Corfe Castle and smaller passes through Ulwell and Cocknowle. The open flat ridge top consists of a mixture of pastoral and arable land use with significant patches of scrub encroachment extending upward from the steep slopes. There are important areas of chalk grassland along the southern length of the ridge and attractive woodlands on the northern side that blend into the surrounding wooded landscapes toward the heaths. Landmarks and features of historical interest along the ridge add cultural value and include Creech Barrow, with its conical shape and rough vegetation, Flowers Barrow, Nine Barrow and Bindon. Towards the eastern end of the ridge, the area is found a large patchwork of pastoral grasslands located on a gently sloping hill. The Glebeland Estate, south of Studland, is an anomalous inclusion within an otherwise undeveloped character area, with the development being clearly visible across a wide area. Other notable contemporary development is largely limited to infrastructure and includes telecommunications masts, some power lines and roads. In the western extent military uses are also evident within the character area and its setting.