Attractions and Places To See around Wareham St. Martin - Top 20

Formerly an "anvil" shape with a flat top, in 1970 it fell on one end and one side, leaving the top at an angle of about 45°.

also known as the "Devil's Anvil," is a large, distinctive sandstone block located on a conical hill on Godlingston Heath near the village of Studland in south Dorset, England. This impressive rock, weighing approximately 400 tonnes, is a popular landmark and a local curiosity. Local legends offer a more dramatic explanation for the rock's existence. The most famous myth says the Devil, standing on The Needles on the Isle of Wight, hurled the massive rock with the intention of hitting Corfe Castle, Bindon Abbey, or Salisbury Cathedral. However, his aim was poor, and the rock landed short of its target, where it now sits. Before it toppled over in 1970, the rock had a flat top and an anvil-like shape, which led to its nickname "the Devil's Anvil." Some folklore also suggests that the rock was a holy stone or a Druidical altar.

Yep, its a big rock, but worth the hike and views.

- Built in **1830** as a folly by Reverend John Clavell, likely as an observatory or romantic coastal landmark. - Moved **25 meters inland** in 2008 to save it from cliff erosion—an engineering feat involving dismantling and rebuilding stone-by-stone. - Inspired writer **Thomas Hardy**, who featured it in his novel *The Well-Beloved*. - Now a unique **holiday rental** managed by the Landmark Trust, offering panoramic views of Kimmeridge Bay and the Jurassic Coast. - Its Tuscan-style design and mysterious history (no clear original purpose) add to its allure as a coastal curiosity.

Named after the dramatic castle ruins that sit on the high above the village, Corfe Castle is a delight to explore. Built strategically at a gap in the Purbeck Ridge, the castle dates back to the 10th century and is today owned by the National Trust. The village is built from characteristic grey Purbeck limestone and boasts a wealth of places to eat and drink, as well as many accommodation options. The walking in the region is superb, with the heaths, hills and, of course, the excellent coast path.

The mysterious Agglestone Rock is an iron-rich, 400-tonne, sandstone rock formation nestled at the heart of Godlingston Heath. It's not known exactly how it came to stand in its current location and is shrouded in myths and legend. One story goes that it was hurled across from the Isle of Wight's Needles by the Devil. This explains the name Agglestone, which may mean 'Devil's Anvil'. It's also thought to have been a Druid's altar.

Clavell Tower, also known as the Kimmeridge Tower, is a Grade II listed Tuscan style tower built in 1830. It lies on the Jurassic Coast, on the top of Hen Cliff just east of Kimmeridge Bay in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, England. It is now a Landmark Trust property and in August 2006 was moved 25 metres (82 ft) back from the crumbling cliff edge. my second picture shows the old markings of where it once stood. Clavell Tower was built in about 1830 by Reverend John Richards Clavell of Smedmore House as an observatory and folly.[2] The Reverend John Richards had changed his name to John Richards Clavell after inheriting the estate in 1817. The tower is about 35 feet (11 m) high and rises over what is known as Hen Cliff which rises about 330 feet (100 m) above the sea. The main tower is constructed of mortared selected stone and the windows are formed from brick. The ground floor is surrounded by Tuscan colonnade and the roof has a parapet built in stone. In total the tower has four floors; a stone ground floor, a wooden first, a wooden second and a wooden third floor. The tower is surmounted upon a shallow stone basement. Evidence suggests there were fireplaces within the ground floor which indicated the tower was intended to be occupied throughout the year. However, access to the first and second floors would have been accessible solely via a ladder. Clavell Tower is owned by The Landmark Trust. The turret above Kimmeridge Bay was threatened by shoreline erosion and was in imminent danger of toppling into the ocean below. The Landmark Trust have moved the tower 25 metres (82 ft) landwards, away from the crumbling cliff top. The tower was rebuilt to be suitable for letting. Work started on 5 September 2006. Each of the tower's 16,272 stones was removed, numbered and photographed by engineers and specialist builders, before being reassembled slightly inland. The interior was renovated so that it can be used as a holiday home. The building preservation charity hopes that the tower's maintenance will be paid for by rental income from holidaymakers. The monument accommodates two people. The living room on the top floor has a 360-degree view of the surrounding coast and countryside. The location was chosen for one of the five locations for the installation of sculptures by Antony Gormley to mark the 50th anniversary of the Landmark Trust.[3] The sculpture fell into the sea in September 2015.

Kimmeridge Bay, half a mile south west of the village of Kimmeridge via a toll road, features some of the most important geology anywhere on the Jurassic Coast. It also boasts some of the area’s most accessible marine wildlife. The natural rock ledges extending out into the bay make it easy to view life on the shore and in the shallow waters, making it a wonderful location for rockpooling. The bay is also a superb location for a variety of water-based activities. The shallow, warm waters are excellent for snorkelling and diving, and are very popular during the summer months, with easy access to excellent dive sites. There is little tide and not much current, making it great for beginners, while the comparative lack of sand helps ensure visibility is often excellent. Surfing and windsurfing are also gaining popularity in the area. Kimmeridge Bay is privately owned as part of the Smedmore Estate. It is a sheltered rocky bay with rockpools. Sturdy footwear is needed for the walk to and on the shoreline. The bay is naturally sheltered and, depending on weather conditions, is often used for bathing. Dgs are allowed at Kimmeridge Bay all year round.