Rock around Wimborne

Jan.23rd 07
This is a great walk! Leave your car at the chain ferry (on the Sandbanks side if you can find a free space) or if not, come over on the ferry ........£2.80 return last week.......and park in the ferry car park. Then take to the beach; if you stride out, you will make it to the National Trust shop in just under an hour. In January you will have the world to yourself but you may see some exciting birds; the wind will whet your appetite and the views are ever changing. In Summer you will not be alone, but Studland Beach is never crowded and in the area reserved for naturists, you may see sights which will amuse the children! The National Trust shop/cafe is open throughout the year and the rustic fare on offer is just the ticket after your bracing walk. If you want to walk on to the headland and Old Harry Rocks, you are bound to pass the Banks Armes with its own microbrewery, and I recommend you try a pint of Fossil Fuel, or IPA which in this establishment is 'Isle of Purbeck' ale. It's another hour's walk to Old Harry and its majestic cliffs and a chance to see the Barfleur as it plies its daily voyage from Poole to Cherbourg 60 odd miles away. You might also see a peregrine but I've never been lucky. This is a wonderful walk in any weather. A word of caution; the ferry is busy in the Summer, and I suspect that the Banks Arms sells quite a few barrels!