A Boot Up Purbeck

The Isle of Purbeck in Dorset is England in microcosm. Geology, which has thrown together several very different landscapes in the space of 70 square miles, provides the raw materials for a story that unfolds on the ground. Underneath, Mesozoic dinosaurs have left footsteps set in stone from the mud of warm lagoons, contemporary with the above-ground Fossil Forest. These are prize treasures of the Jurassic Coast which was designated by Unesco in 2001 as the first natural World Heritage Site in Great Britain. It also boasts classic landform features ranging from Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove to Old Harry Rocks and Studland’s sands.

Literary associations abound, from Thomas Hardy to Enid Blyton, and we meet the military in the form of Colonel T.E.Lawrence of Arabia and The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.The training ground for the world’s first tanks reverberated to live-fire rehearsals for the D-Day landings. Purbeck is one of those rare places that is both addictive and quirky but never dull.

The ten circular walks, ranging from 3 to 8 miles, suit the needs of families, groups of friends or individuals looking for a gentle stroll or a longer walk, and reflect the many varied facets of the area – its people, its history, and its working landscape and will help first time visitors to experience some of the great scenery the area has to offer. Many of the walks feature a pub along the route.

Halsgrove’s new-format guidebook, containing maps, photographs and useful information will ensure a great walking experience. Packed with colour, the book is an ideal reminder of a visit to the area.

Rodney Legg is a prolific author and historian who has published hundreds of country walks. Nationally he is active in the environmental movement having been chairman of the Open Spaces Society since 1989 and a member of the ruling council of the NationalTrust from 1990.