Much of the area around Worth Matravers and the Isle of Purbeck is owned and managed by the National Trust. This includes Corfe Castle and the beaches of Studland Bay. We recommend that visitors become members, as it could save a lot of money on things such as car parking.
Corfe Castle
Located 3 miles from Swallow Cottage, the village of Corfe Castle is well worth a visit (even on a rainy day).
Its most famous attraction is of course the castle ruins, but the village itself is a very interesting place to explore. There are various old buildings, shops and pubs to discover. Allow yourself at least a morning or afternoon to look around.
The castle often hosts reenactment groups, so you might see Vikings, Normans or Parliamentarian troops walking around the place.
Visit www.corfe-castle.co.uk for more information and opening times.
Swanage Railway
Swanage Railway runs a regular service from Swanage to Norden (1 mile outside of Corfe), with plans to run into Wareham. From spring through to autumn, many of the trains are steam hauled, making it well worth a visit for people interested in travel from a bygone age.
A good day can be had by catching the train from Swanage to Corfe, exploring the castle and village, and then taking the train back.
Visit www.swanagerailway.co.uk for timetable information.
Tank Museum
East Dorset is home to the Royal Tank Regiment and Royal Armoured Corp. Visitors to the area may notice that much of the surrounding countryside is used as army training grounds.
For people interested in the history of tanks and armoured warfare, a visit to the Tank Museum at Bovington is a must. The museum is approximately 13 miles from Worth Matravers.
Visit www.tankmuseum.org for more information and opening times.
Monkey World
Monkey World is an ape rescue centre that rehabilitates primates that have been smuggled from the wild and suffered abuse or neglect. A great day out for families with young children, the centre cares for many different types of ape including chimpanzees, orangutans and gibbons.
Visit www.monkeyworld.org for more information and opening times.
Abbotsbury Swannery
This is a largest managed colony of Mute Swans in the world. It was originally founded by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 1040s. Located next to Chisel Beach, the swannery is set in beautiful countryside and is an interesting place to visit.
Visit abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk for more information and opening times.
Castletown D-Day Centre
Original WW2 vehicles, weapons and memorabilia are on display at this interesting museum located on the Isle of Portland. Visitors are allowed to handle some of the weapons and climb inside the vehicles on display, which includes a restored Sherman Tank.
Visit www.castletownddaycentre.com for more information and opening times.