Wareham attracts thousands of visitors each year. It is a preferred Dorset holiday destination and has something for everyone! Here are some ideas on what to do on your day in Wareham.
Wareham is known as the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck, situated on the River Frome six miles southwest of Poole.
It is a pretty, riverside town with fascinating history dating right back to ancient Saxon times. In fact, did you know that Wareham is one of the few remaining Saxon walled towns in England built by King Alfred the Great in 875 to defend Wareham from Viking invasion?
For this reason, on your holiday at our Wareham B&B, we would suggest that you familiarise yourself with the sights and sounds of our beautiful market town with a fascinating walk along the Saxon Walls of Wareham.
Please click here for our blog on the ‘Saxon Walls of Wareham’ which includes route directions from our guest house, and fascinating historical information too!
The length of the walk is 1 mile which equates to a walking time of approximately 45 minutes, however three quarters of the way around the perimeter of the town on the Saxon ‘earth’ walls, you arrive at the popular Wareham Quay.
Here you will most likely want to soak up the wonderful atmosphere with the view of the River Frome and the Purbeck Hills in the distance.
You may want to enjoy a peaceful boat trip along the beautiful River Frome, or for the more adventurous, the Wareham Boat Hire has kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, rowing boats and motorboats to hire. (Please refer to website to check for seasonal opening times.)
Just behind the Quay, between Sainsbury’s car park and Saint Mary’s Church, The Purbeck Artisan Yard is worth a visit. Wonderful local artists, creators, makers and vintage collectors sell their pieces all year round.
There is a good choice of pubs, restaurants and tea rooms dotted around the town, which you may want to sample, as well as local shops to browse around.
If you happen to stay with us over a weekend, and are happy to have an early start, then Wareham Market is on the Quay every Saturday.
If you are interested in the town’s history, Wareham Museum is in the heart of the town by the main traffic lights and Town Hall. The museum is run by volunteers. It is free of charge but of course they are happy to accept a donation in the box by the museum door. It is open 10am – 4pm Monday to Saturday from April to November.
At the museum, you may be interested in the special section on T.E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia).
Wareham town was visited regularly by the Military Intelligence Officer T.E Lawrence during his latter years when he was living at Clouds Hill, his retreat near Bovington. Tragically T.E Lawrence died close by in a motorcycle accident.
If you continue our ‘Saxon Walls of Wareham’ walk beyond Wareham Quay, you will see that the final stop is at St Martin’s Church.
St Martin’s Church has a Saxon exterior and is the most complete Saxon Church in Dorset believed to date from around 1020.
A stone memorial of T.E Lawrence can be found inside this ancient Saxon church.
Having spent time in Wareham, the actual walk will most likely take up the best part of half a day.
If on the other hand you would prefer to drive into Wareham from our guest house, there are several car parks around the town.
As you drive into Wareham, there is a relatively large car park just after the Post Office on the left-hand side called Howards Lane Car Park (BH20 4NN). There are public toilets there.
There is another relatively large car park at the end of West Street, just past the Rex Cinema on Streche Road (BH20 4QF).
Wareham Quay has some parking spaces too, which are obviously unavailable on a Saturday due to the market traders. There are public toilets there.
If you enjoy walking, our ‘Wareham Forest Walk’ or ‘River Piddle and Wareham Weir Walk’ may appeal to you. Please click here for our blog ‘3 Walks from our Wareham B&B’ with route directions.
You could even combine the walks, in whichever order, to fill a whole day, the choice is yours!
Whatever you chose, we hope you enjoy your day in our pretty riverside town, Wareham!
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