Studland

About

Studland is a small village located on a peninsula in the Isle of Purbeck, and is close to both Swanage and Corfe Castle.

The start of the 630 mile South West Coast Path national trail is found at Shell Bay (where the chain ferry crosses the mouth of Poole Harbour) and continues to Minehead in Somerset.

Studland is famous for its long, sandy beaches (including a nudist beach), and visitors and locals flock to the area in summer. All the beaches are managed by the National Trust and each has its own car park and facilities. Some of the beaches offer watersports and the local riding stables gives riding lessons on the beach at certain times of year.

Old Harry Rocks found near South Beach is part of the Jurassic Coast which stretches for 95 miles all the way to Exeter in Devon. The chalk stacks which make up the group known as Old Harry date back to the mezozoic era. There is an easy, 1 mile walk from the village to Old Harry and the South West Coast Path.

There are a number of places to eat and drink at Studland village including The Bankes Arms or The Pig on the Beach near South Beach, the National Trust café on Knoll Beach, or the Knoll House Hotel nearby.

Just under 2 miles along the road from the chain ferry terminal at Shell Bay, you can join the Rempstone Ride cycle route across heath and forest to Purbeck Park - why not then jump on a Swanage Railway vintage train for a trip to Swanage?

The Studland to Sandbanks chain ferry is the easiest way to access the seaside resorts of Poole and Bournemouth. Travelling across the mouth of Poole Harbour, the chain ferry transports cars, mini-buses, motorbikes, cyclists and pedestrians for the short 5 minute journey. You can also jump on the number 50 bus from Studland village or the beaches for hassle free travel through to Sandbanks and further on to Bournemouth. To travel to Poole town centre, you will need to transfer buses at Sandbanks.

The number 50 bus also links to Studland to the seaside resort of Swanage. In summer the buses are open top allowing you to get panoramic views of the coast. You can transfer to the number 40 bus at Swanage to travel onwards to Corfe Castle and Wareham.