The beautiful Isle of Purbeck is a walker’s paradise. From coast to country, the variety is unsurpassed.

The Dorset coastal walking is spectacular. From a stroll along the beach in beautiful Victorian Swanage to a serious hike along the South West Coast Path, the coast is truly special. But the Dorset hinterland is extraordinary too with wonderful heathland, designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, with the added attraction of sea glimpses wherever you turn.

This tranquil area of Dorset is home to many rare species of birds, wildflowers, butterflies and reptiles. Walks take in the wildlife paradise of Durlston Country Park, heathland at Studland, limestone cliffs along the coast and the RSPB reserve at Arne.

A spokesman for the Festival said: “Purbeck offers something for everyone and our walks have been designed to show as much of the area as possible. Some include a pub lunch in a typical Dorset village and others a ride home on the steam train.”

The area is also steeped in history, with the Civil War ruin of Corfe Castle, the evacuated village at Tyneham and, of course, the unique geology of the area.

This year we three walks have a War theme commemorating both World Wars in conjunction with the 2014 anniversary, a new Family Bug Walk, quarrying, shipwrecks, smuggling, fossils, literature, art, photography and ghost stories.

Book online at walkswanage.com or phone Swanage TIC on 01929 422885 / Wareham TIC on 01929 552740.

Wednesday September 24

  • Discover Old Swanage – Around Swanage, 1 mile
  • Haunted Wareham – Around Wareham, 1-2 miles
  • Bird Walk – RSPB at Arne, 2 miles Swanage Railway
  • Along the valley by the railway line. Return on steam train, 6 miles

Thursday September 25

  • Swanage Art Walk – Around Swanage, 2 miles
  • Photography Walk – Kimmeridge Bay, 2-3 miles
  • The Devil and D-Day – Ballard Down, the Agglestone and Studland, 8-9 miles

Friday September 26

  • Wareham Waterways and Walls – Around Wareham, 6 miles
  • Lawrence of Arabia Trail – Moreton, Clouds Hill, 4-5 miles
  • Stone Quarries, Shipwreck and Smuggling, Worth Matravers, 5-6 miles

Saturday September 27

  • Quarrying along the Priest’s Way, Acton and the Priest’s Way, 2-3 miles
  • Purbeck at War – Kingston, Swyre Head, St Aldhelm's Head and Worth Matravers, 11 miles
  • Nine Barrow Down – Along Nine Barrow Down to Corfe Castle, 5-6 miles

Sunday September 28

  • Geology of Kimmeridge and Rockpool Ramble – Around Kimmeridge Bay, 2-3 miles
  • Swanage Railway – Along the valley by the railway line. Return on steam train, 6 miles
  • Swanage at War – Around Swanage, 1 mile
  • Family Bug Walk – A walk around Durlston Country Park, 1-2 miles