The Isle of Purbeck is home to a wealth of outdoor activity providers. If you’re feeling adventurous during your stay at Ulwell Holiday Park in Swanage, why not try one of the many watersports activities on offer? For an adrenaline fuelled day out you could try kayaking, coasteering or stand up paddle boarding. More leisurely outdoor pursuits include cycling and rowing boat hire.
Here’s our pick of outdoor activities in Purbeck.
Cycle Hire in Purbeck
Cyclexperience
The are many miles of well maintained cycles routes across Purbeck, with terrain to suit all members of the family. Whether you’re an avid cyclist looking for tricky mountain bike trails or an easy route that the kids will love, you’ll certainly find something for all levels of ability. Why not combine your cycle with exploring one of the nearby towns, villages or beauty spots. If you don’t fancy riding both ways you could always catch the steam train back!
Centrally located within Purbeck Park, near Corfe Castle Cyclexperience offer cycle hire in an ideal location to get on your bike and explore. Booking is highly recommended, especially during busy times. A delivery service is also available on request – just get in touch to discuss your plans. The staff are also on hand to suggest routes from a one hour ride to a full day touring.
Cyclexperience has just released a handy App which has GPS routes to take the stress out of exploring! Get it here on Google Play and the App Store.
Prices: Prices depend on the type of bike you wish to hire. Accessories such as helmets and bike trailers are also available to rent.
Booking: recommended. Book online or call 01929 481606
Venture beneath the sea on a diving trip
Divers Down Swanage
Swanage is one of the best places in the country for scuba diving. There’s an abundance of shipwrecks and underwater reefs to explore along the world-renowned Jurassic Coast. Divers Down Swanage offer beginners sessions as well as charter boat trips for experienced divers. Diving boat trips will take you to hard to reach areas to give you the best chance of seeing unique underwater structures and plentiful marine life. Shallow dives are possible underneath Swanage Pier. These are great for beginners and newly qualified divers. Equipment hire and parking is available on-site.
Prices: Prices vary depending on the type of dive you want to book. It’s best to call the team at Divers Down Swanage to discuss your requirements.
Booking: Call 01929 423565 of email medina@madasafish.com.
Watersports on the Jurassic Coast
Cumulus Outdoors
Why not let outdoor activity specialists guide you on an adventure to remember? With Cumulus Outdoors you can get involved in a number of outdoor adventure activities, including coasteering, climbing, bushcraft courses, kayaking, guided mountain biking, tag archery and even a high ropes course!
Coasteering has got to be one of the best ways to explore the Dorset Coast. You’ll discover hidden coastal secrets by swimming, walking, scrambling and jumping into the sea. All equipment is provided but you need to be able to swim 50m. There are always two professional guides on hand for your enjoyment and safety. This is an exhilarating experience you won’t forget!
Or you could learn some new skills to take home from your holiday with a bushcraft course in Dorset… Great for family bonding – enjoy each other’s company in an outdoor environment, learn new skills, explore the wilderness, laugh and have fun together.
Information
Prices: Varies dependent on activity.
Booking: Call 01929 555 111 or book online
Other activities: See all the adventure experiences on offer!
Explore Wareham on a rowing boat
Rowing Boat Hire
Looking for an adventure at a slower pace? Pack up a picnic and head to Wareham Quay. From here you can hire a rowing boat and pootle along the River Frome in either direction. Head upstream to spot local wildlife or downstream past the Quay to see all the boats and yachts moored along the banks.
You can hire by the half hour up to a full day and all buoyancy aids are included. Wareham Boat Hire also offers kayaks, canoes paddle boards and even motor boats (if you really want to cheat!). Once you’ve honed your rowing skills, why not treat yourself to some local fish and chips to replenish the energy stores?
Information
Prices: Hire cost start at £15 for half hour on a rowing boat or £25 for a motor boat.
Booking: Not necessary but can book by phone 01929 550688
Opening Times: March – September 7 days a week weather & tide permitting. Bookings only out of season.
Other activities: Wareham Boat Hire also offer kayaks, canoes and paddle board.
Adventure for all the family
Dorset Waterpark
Just a few miles down the road from Ulwell Holiday Park is the hugely popular Dorset Waterpark. Featuring two lakes with views of the magnificent Corfe Castle, spend an hour of pure fun jumping and splashing around the inflatable obstacles. Advance booking is highly recommended, as the waterpark gets very busy!
If you’re in the mood for something a little different, there’s also an extremely popular mud trail. There are over 50 muddy obstacles to contend with as you navigate your way around the course.
Information
Prices: from £12.50 per person
Booking: Book online or call 01929 505030
Opening Times: Weekends 10:00 until 18:00 and School Holidays 7 days a week 10:00 until 18:00
Snorkelling at Kimmeridge Bay
Kimmeridge Bay Snorkel Trail
The mild and shallow waters of Kimmeridge Bay are the perfect place to see a rich array of marine life. The marked trail is open from May to September. Pop into the Fine Foundation Marine Centre near the slipway for more advice, hire of masks and snorkels and to purchase your trail guide. This little centre is a treasure trove of marine goodies – be sure to visit if you’re passing by.
Information
Prices: The trail map costs £3 inc. postage. You can also buy a copy online. Masks and snorkels can be hired at a cost of £5 per set with a refundable deposit of £20 per set.
Booking: Not necessary.
Opening Times: The trail is only in place from May to September each year. DWT wardens at the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre, by the slipway in the bay are only available April – October, open daily 10.30am until 5pm.
Other activities: Kimmeridge Bay is the perfect base to do a spot of rockpooling or venture onto the South West Coast Path.
Catch your dinner on a boat fishing trip
Swanage Sea Fishing
Why not try your hand at deep sea fishing during your holiday in Purbeck? There is a small fleet of charter boats operating from Swanage Harbour, offering boat fishing trips for all the family. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a complete novice looking to try fishing for the first time, you’re bound to have a great time on the water. Head a couple of miles offshore and let the experienced skipper show you how to operate a rod and line. The weather, tide and time of year will effect what you will catch, so you’ll need to be patient. The waters along the South West Coast are plentiful so we’re sure the reward will be worth the wait!
Information
Prices: Prices start at £20 per adult for a 1.5 hour mackerel fishing trip. Half day trips, evening trips and full day trips are also available.
Booking: Pre booking is essential. Please contact the friendly team at Swanage Sea Fishing in advance to secure your place on the boat.
Opening Times: Swanage Sea Fishing operate throughout the day and into the evening.
