The best traffic-free bike rides in Durlston National Nature Reserve

Studland Bay features well-maintained gravel paths winding through the Godlingston Heath and dunes. These accessible trails offer stunning coastal views and link the beaches, providing a stable, year-round surface for walkers and cyclists.

Extremely steep to climb but when you make it up to the top the views are worth it

St. James | Kingston 1880 | Victorian Gothic Revival | Architect : George Street | Grade I The tiny hilltop village of Kingston is remarkable for having two churches. The later of the two with it's dominating position overlooking Corfe Castle is the more famous, having acquired the nickname of the 'Cathedral of the Purbecks’ because of its enormous proportions and lavish decorations The 3rd Earl of Eldon decided it was his Christian duty to provide the village with another church (the 1st Earl who became the Lord Chancellor had provided the village with a new church in the 1830's ) It took six years to build and cost £70,000 – the equivalent of at least £8 million today and became a private chapel for the Eldon estate until 1921 The Earl went to George Street, who had become one of the supreme proponents of what is now known as the 'High Victorian' movement who had designed the Royal Courts of Justice. This commission gave him the opportunity for the 'grandest church in the country'. Street's designs seem to have been influenced by 13th century French models, in particular a church in Norrey-en-Bassin, just outside Caen (Normandy). The stair turret on the north transept is a replica of that at Christchurch priory. The exterior of the church is from broken shell limestone - from the Earls own estate at Blashenwell Farm - hich has now got a pink hue caused by algae. The inteior is from two type of stone, both from Purbeck quarries: The columns and pillars are from polished Purbeck marble and the greater part of the interior from Portland stone. The chancel steps are from crinoidial Limestone from the the Peak District and the altar stands on Carrara marble from Tuscany

From here you get a peek of Corfe Castle in the distance, a medieval fortress set against a backdrop of the picturesque Purbeck Hills.

Great little back path between Worth Matravers and Swanage. Plenty of dog walkers though, so watch out on the corners!

Go early before the dog walkers

Swyre Head is the highest point of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, on the south coast of England. The hill Swyre Head lies about 2 kilometres southwest of the village Kingston, about 5 kilometres south of Corfe Castle and 8 kilometres west of Swanage. Although not very high, its relative height is such that it just misses qualification as a Marilyn. The hill consists of Jurassic Formations and is not part of the extensive Southern England Chalk Formation. Swyre Head by Kingston should not be confused with another Dorset hill called Swyre Head, at an elevation of 322 ft, on the coast, located to the west of Durdle Door. The two Swyre Heads are about four hours walk apart from each other; that is 11 miles. The hill commands extensive views, including west past the Isle of Portland to Dartmoor, and east to the Isle of Wight, as well as north across the Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour and the other Purbeck Marilyn, Nine Barrow Down. To the west, the folly of Clavell Tower can also be seen. Set back about half a mile from the coast, the hill is not on the South West Coast Path, but can be reached easily from the villages of Kingston or Kimmeridge. The hill has a trig point marked as 203 metres on Ordnance Survey maps, but a tumulus, now fully grassed over, forms the highest point, 208 metres (682 ft) above sea level.

No but I do now thanks very much: Corfe Castle is considered to be the inspiration for Enid Blyton's Kirrin Island, which had its own similar castle.