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Spectacular footpaths give access to prehistoric burial sites and hill forts, and over much of Purbeck there is visible evidence of former agricultural systems, such as banks, ditches, lynchets and field boundaries.
The evocative ruins of Corfe Castle dominate the area, and visiting the castle and its associated hands-on facilities provides excellent access to medieval and Civil War history. And while the Castle was for the posh folk, the village settlements which are such a feature of Purbeck were developing for the working folk.
The link which connects all aspects of Purbeck's past is stone - Kimmeridge shale in Roman times, and then Purbeck's limestones: medieval Purbeck 'Marble', Portland limestone for 17th Century London, export from Swanage in Victorian times, and paving, roofing and building stone throughout.
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In the 18th Century, extraction, carriage and export of ball clay by Wedgewood et alia became a major industry and lead to Purbeck's first railways; many of these can still be followed as footpaths and bridleways.
Swanage is an excellent example of a small Victorian seaside resort; a surprising amount of the town's well-documented Victorian heritage remains clearly visible.
The stunning coastline has had its own impact on Purbeck's past. The cliffs have been quarried for stone and minerals, the headlands used as lookouts, and caves and quarries used by smugglers for storing contraband. Countless ships have foundered on the reefs and rocks, from the time of King Alfred to the present day. Relics of defensive structures from the two World Wars, notably at Studland and Durlston, indicate the importance of this coastline for the nation.
Although many publications describe the fascinating history of Purbeck, nothing beats making use of the local experts to interpret this rich tapestry. As well as museums and interpretation centres, the rangers, wardens and education staff of the field centres of Purbeck are available to bring the past to life and thus illuminate the present.
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