Arne

In 1268 the peninsula was already called by its modern name. It probably meant The house or Building but it could be the plural form of Rock or Heap of stones - there are two tumuli on the hill.

The view from Swineham point, Arne.

There were salt pans here in the 11^th century. Like others at Studland they probably processed seawater and may have done so for a very long period. It is possible that the Romans made salt on Purbeck 900 years earlier.

Arne's simple church is dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of sailors. Many of the sons of Arne preferred to plough the ocean wave rather than the barren soils of their native peninsula.

For many years Arne was a transshipment point for the clay industry but nowadays it is most famous for the RSPB centre and nature reserve.

Stay at The Priory Hotel when you visit Arne
Next: Bindon
Sources.