The Priory Hotel lies in the southeast corner of the ancient market town and port of Wareham, and it is ideally placed for exploring Thomas Hardy’s Wessex, ‘The Isle of Purbeck’.

Over 200 of Wareham’s buildings are listed as being of architectural interest and the Saxon town walls date back to the 9th Century. 5 minutes away are historic Corfe Castle (ruins) and the village of Corfe, beyond which is the seaside town of Swanage. The National Trust’s nature reserves and beaches of Studland are nearby, and the surround countryside provides numerous opportunities for walking, cycling, horse-riding, and golfing.

Dorchester, the county town of Dorset, is 30 minutes away by car, whilst neighbouring Poole, with its shops, lively quayside, beaches, and large, natural harbour, providing an abundance of sailing and waterspouts activities, is only 20 minutes away by car. Twice a day the tide lifts the water, and mariners slipping their moorings at the hotel will be aware that it’s more like three meandering river miles and then another eight or ten miles (depending on the tide and the tortuous channels) to Poole Harbour’s entrance and the sea.

Should you require more information on local attractions and activities in the area, or if you would like to receive a copy of the ‘Swanage & Purbeck Guide’, please contact the ‘Purbeck Information and Heritage Centre’, based in Wareham, on 01929 552740 or at www.purbeck.gov.uk .