“Corfe Castle has been a Saxon stronghold, a Norman fortress, a royal palace and a family home in ten centuries of dominating the Purbeck landscape. In that time it has seen murder and war, known kings and paupers and its rugged beauty has won the hearts of thousands of visitors.”
We are heading to Woodyhyde campsite, situated in the heart of the gorgeous Purbeck countryside, just a 20 minute walk to the stunning ruins of Corfe Castle and a short distance from the seaside town of Swanage.
I have booked the campsite for 10 people (but should be able to add more). Woodhyde does not allocate designated pitches, but allows us to pitch wherever we prefer (when Steve and I arrive we will find a suitable spot for all of us, so that we can all pitch close by each other).
We will eat out in Corfe both nights - unless the weather forecast looks so amazing and we decide to do a BBQ one night (the campsite shop stocks everything we would need such that this a decision we can make on the day).
You will however need to plan and bring your own breakfasts and pack lunches. There is a well-stocked shop onsite which conveniently offers a very reasonable icepack-freezing service.
As to the walking (which I why we are going after all!) on the first day we will walk from the campsite up onto the Purbeck Hills and out to Old Harry’s Rocks, from which we look across to the Needles on the isle of Wight. From there we head round to Swanage where we will take the steam train back to the campsite.
On the second day we will walk from the campsite out to join the coastal path on the outstanding Jurassic Coast, passing the abandoned stone quarry at Winspit and Dancing Ledges, before heading back to our cars in the late afternoon / early evening, in time for people to make their way home to Sussex (a 2 hour drive, depending on traffic) stopping in Wareham for a fish & chip supper en route.
*If you don’t have a tent / airbed / cooking equipment but would still like to camp please do get in touch as we will be able to arrange for you to borrow kit or share with someone else.
If you love camping but aren't keen on canvas, the site offers a very glamorous glamping option, in a shepherd hut or a yurt. It is undeniably more expensive, but may be what you need to enable you to join us on this trip. Please email me if this interests you.
If you want to book extra nights (either before or after our trip) you can do so at https://www.woodyhyde.co.uk; if you do this, please put in the notes section that you will be camping with Highdown HMC beforehand / after.
And finally: bring your swimsuit for some awesome wild swimming opportunities!
Accommodation : Campsite
Cost (approx) : £50 to include shared transport and pitch fees. Independent travellers - £25
Deposit : £25 to Organiser by 1st May 2024 please
| Organiser: Alison Edwards | email: |
Closing date for booking: 01/05/2024
| Grid reference: SY 974 801 Post Code: BH20 5HT what3words: : ///coarser.unstated.taller Coordinates: W 2.03752, N 50.6213
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