ROute Section Number 1:
Sandbanks to Weymouth
Your Route
- Take Sandbanks Ferry from Poole to Studland (£4.75 every 20mins during the day).
- The B3351 leads west to Corfe Castle (or loop south via Swanage). Head inland to Wool for faster A-roads or wind through pretty country lanes to West Lulworth. Then the A352 and A353 head west to Weymouth. Take the B3155 and you’ll drive into town right along the historic promenade.
- Portland Bill Lighthouse
Where to start...
After the old chain ferry chugs across the entrance to Poole Harbour you’ll drive off into the Isle of Purbeck with a glorious selection of country roads ahead. Choose between faster routes inland or loops of leafy lanes closer to the coast for a more wiggly scenic tour.
Use sat nav and maps to detour to the best sights, like Lulworth Cove and Corfe Castle. It’s easy to drive down to tiny seaside spots like Ringstead and Kimmeridge Bay too – but note that they’re down tiny dead-end lanes so you’ll have to come back the same way.
- Walking toward Chapman's Pool
- View toward Durdle Door
Did you know?
The Best Views
Route Highlights
Poole Harbour and Studland
Hop onto a boat from Poole Quay or Sandbanks to see red squirrels on the National Trust’s Brownsea Island or simply park on the harbourside to gaze across the vast natural harbour. It’s always busy with watersporters.
A few yards away, the seafront beach is long, clean and sandy. Then admire the superhomes of the rich and famous as you drive through Sandbanks to the ferry. The four-minute crossing reaches Studland peninsula, a nature reserve of dunes and heath with another long sandy beach leading to the spectacular King Harry Rocks.
Recommended Detour
The Isle of Portland
- The Isle of Portland
During your trip
Other potential detours
Visiting Swanage
At the far eastern end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site this is a small, quiet and rather nostalgic seaside resort. Nearby Spyway Dinosaur Footprints is not as well known as it should be and is well worth a visit.
Visiting Lulworth
You can find some of England’s most dramatic shoreline scenery along the Jurassic Coast at Lulworth. Stop here for a chance to explore the unique circular Cove itself and Durdle Door’s famous rock archway.
Visiting Weymouth
Good old Weymouth is a chance to discover all the familiar ingredients of a classic British seaside resort: a flat golden sandy beach with a long promenade, donkeys and Punch & Judy.
Dorchester & Poundbury
If you stay on the A352 and don’t turn down to Weymouth, the road curves inland to the heart of West Dorset. If you fancy the faster progress of the A35 heading west, the Dorchester makes a fine stopping point.
- Renscombe near the quaint Purbeck
Go Exploring
Discover somewhere new
Fancy a walk away from the crowds? First find the car park at Renscombe near the quaint Purbeck village of Worth Matravers. Then stroll south across the grassy headland to find a completely unique and little-visited sight. The strange tiny Norman church of St Aldhelm is a square cube of stone and stands alone on the cliff edge, 354ft above the sea.
Featured accommodation
Staying in the area
Featured Venues
Local Food & Drink
The Garden Room at The Priory
Rockfish Poole
Rockfish Weymouth
Catch – at the old fish market
Local Experiences
Have Some Fun
The White Horse at Osmington
St Aldhelm’s Head and Worth Matravers
