Wareham Forest Way
Stretching from Wareham to Sturminster Marshall, the Wareham Forest Way travels through some of the less well known landscapes of north Purbeck and East Dorset.
Breathtaking views and shady glades, an Iron Age hill fort and lots of wildlife make this a truly memorable walk. You can start the walk at either end of the route as it is signposted in both directions. From Sturminster Marshall, you can join the Stour Valley Way or North Dorset Trailway to explore the rest of Dorset.
| Start point: | Wareham Quay Postcode: BH20 4LP or grid ref: SY 923 872 |
| End point: | Sturminster Marshall - postcode: BH21 4BU or grid ref: SY 950 003 |
| Relevant Ordnance Survey map: | Landranger map No.195 (Bournemouth and Purbeck) 1:50,000 OR Explorer map No.OL15 (Purbeck and South Dorset) and Explorer map No.118 (Shaftesbury and Cranborne Chase). |
| Distance: | 13 miles one-way but can be split into smaller sections:
This route is signposted |
| Typical time to complete the walk: | 4 hours plus lunch stop |
| Footwear: | Walking boots recommended all year - wellington boots are better in winter and after heavy rain. |
| Accessibility: | The first 780m is on a fairly level, well surfaced route through the quiet streets of Wareham between the Quay and Wareham Common. At the entrance to the Common there is a cattle grid and then a gravel farm track down to the River Piddle of 480m - part of this track can get muddy and there is a slope back to the Common entrance. The rest of the route is on public rights of way with stiles or gates. There is parking for disabled visitors at Wareham Quay. |
| Route leaflet: | Pick up a copy of the leaflet and ordnance survey map from the Purbeck Information and Heritage Centre or you can
download the leaflet (pdf, 841kb) (opens in a new window) |
| Public transport: |
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| Parking: | Long stay parking is available in Streche Road Car Park |
| Facilities and Refreshments: | There are pubs along the route at Wareham, Morden and Sturminster Marshall. The nearest public toilets at the start of the route are found on The Quay. |
| Other activities in the area: | Car Free Days Out, Wareham Walls , The Purbeck Way, The Purbeck Way West Route, Northport Greenway and Sika Trail, Purbeck Cycle Rides,
Wareham Forest (opens in a new window) |
. If you would like a copy of the leaflet for printing double-sided on A3 paper, please email:
This walk along with the Lawrence Trail, Two Rivers Walks, Purbeck Way and Purbeck Way West have been created by the Purbeck Heritage Committee. For information contact the Countryside Officer.
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Name: Purbeck Information and Heritage Centre
Email: tic@purbeck-dc.gov.uk
Tel: 01929 552740
Fax: 01929 554491
Full details for Purbeck Information and Heritage Centre
