Twitter Wareham, Dorset - the gateway to Purbeck

Wareham - the Gateway to Purbeck

Traditional Dorset Cottages, Wareham

Visit Wareham and be Inspired

Wareham is an ideal base for a family holiday in Purbeck. Whether you love walking and cycling, enjoy birdwatching, fishing or boating, Wareham, has it all nearby.

There is plenty of accommodation in town from cosy self-catering cottages and B&Bs to hotels and campsites.

Wareham also offers a wide range of independant shops, restaurants and pubs, a museum and a very helpful Tourist Information Centre. Click here for guidebook.

Wareham Quay

Relax or explore - please yourself

The ferry cruises from the Quayside down the River Frome to Poole and Brownsea Island, or you can jump on the no.40 bus for a day on the beach at Swanage.

Catch a film at the wonderfully restored REX cinema, or enjoy a quiet pint and a bite to eat in one of Wareham's eight pubs. Don't miss the 'Chipperies' in South St - best chips in town!

Wareham has a busy Saturday market on the Quay. There is also the Wareham Home Producers market in the United Reformed Church, Church Street, every Thursday, 8.30am - 11.00. Other nearby attractions include: Brownsea Island, Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, County Town of Dorchester and the Jurassic Coast - a World Heritage site.

Transport - getting to Wareham Wareham has a railway station on the mainline from Weymouth to London Waterloo offering two services per hour in each direction [click for great prices on tickets].

The 40 'Breezer' Bus goes to Poole and Swanage every hour.



Local news from the Dorset Echo

Historic Wareham - walled Saxon market town The first recorded settlement in Wareham was in 700AD and since then, the town has had a rich history including a devastating fire in 1762 which destroyed most of the town centre.

You will find a wealth of town history in this excellent book by renowned local archaeologist Lilian Ladle. The town Museum makes no entry charge and is well worth a visit. You can also walk the ancient Saxon walls - a distance of about a mile.

Once a year, the Wareham Court Leet meets to attend to essential town business - one of the few examples remaining of a once powerful feudal court system of local government.

Music in and around WarehamEvery Wednesday throughout the Summer a programme of fundraising events from music to fireworks takes place down at the Quay. Some of the town's pubs also stage live music at weekends and bank holidays. Also, look out for the (in!)famous Wareham Whalers shanty crew.

Various music festivals are held nearby including the Swanage and Purbeck valley Folk Festivals and the Swanage Jazz Festival in July.