Wareham Walls And River Walks Dorset
It may well be a gateway to the delights of the Isle of Purbeck, but I recommend stopping to sample a Saxon wall walk around Wareham first.
Even with Corfe Castle, Swanage, plus Lulworth and Durdle Door being a draw several miles further on from this Dorset town. But please do interrupt your journey here!
Wareham Quay on the River Frome.
A market town on the river Frome that was once taken over by raiding Vikings. However, King Alfred had other ideas and laid siege. His army that outnumbered the invaders took it back into the Kingdom of Wessex once again.
Today, many visitors do pass through the town. However, stopping is highly desirable without any fears from King Alfred now.
Saxons, Monmouth Rebellion, Great Fire And D Day All Played Their Part In Wareham
As well as its Saxon history it was under attack by the Parliamentarians during the civil war.
A tour of Wareham walls and river walks
Some residents were hung, drawn and quartered following the Monmouth rebellion of 1685. The infamous Judge Jefferies had six executed at ‘Bloody Bank’. Part of the defensive wall that had surrounded the town since the Saxon period.
It is those fortifications that the local council does encourage tourists to stop for and check out those Wareham walls and river walks.
The oldest church in Dorset and home to an effigy of T E Lawrence
The embankment offers an excellent walking route around the borough and can be accessed close to St Martins on the Wall church.
Once fully open again after Covid19 the church which is oldest in Dorset should be visited if you can. It houses an effigy of T E Lawrence known to many as Lawrence of Arabia.
The effigy in Portland stone by Eric Kenningto.
The Eric Kennington’s Portland Stone sculpture was planned to be placed in a cathedral setting. However, it ended installed in this humbler location. Although, in a more fitting way it is close to Lawrence’s former cottage home at Cloud’s Hill.
Stop For Wareham Walls And River Walks
Some frescos on the interior walls date back to the 12th century and is also another reason to stop off to investigate the town.
Oldest church in Dorset St Martin’s On The Wall
Starting part of the eastern section of the walls walk is just past and behind the church.
Today the walls are just an earth embankment but at times past it would have been topped by a wooden palisade. Later, replaced by stone that in turn was robbed out or sold for building material to be used around the town.
The town was also subjected to a devastating fire in 1762 where much of its centre was razed to the ground.
Lucky that the Kings Arms just escaped the great fire of 1762.
An elevated walls walk gives some views over Wareham. Running south and near to the River Frome is where it changes direction. One route east, takes you along the meandering river or west past the church to Lady St Mary church to hub that is Wareham quay.
Lady St Mary church Wareham.
Flanked on two sides with pubs, restaurants it is also a place to book organised boat tours or bring your own? Or on a Saturday it’s the town market area too.
Wareham Walls And River Walks perfect for a stop off to the coast.
Now, paddle boarders and kayakers seem to make the most of the gentle flowing Frome at this point as it makes it way for about 4 miles into Poole harbour. The second largest natural harbour in the world.
Canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are popular on the river at Wareham.
Almost In The Land of Swallows And Amazons
If it is operating you have to try a trip on Monarch. Which is the world’s smallest commercial paddle steamer. It is one of only three operating in Britain. She operates on the River Frome from Wareham and can carry 12 passengers.
Monarch the tiny paddle steamer on the River Frome.
Boats moored lining the river bank are in all styles and sizes. Following the footpath along the Frome is one route or it also allows for a circular walk back into the town called ‘Two River Walk’.
Wareham River Frome walk.
There is also the ‘Frome Valley Trail’ which is part of a longer route that extends from Evershot to Poole Harbour and uses part of the Wareham section too. The wide flat expanse of fields gives views to Poole which is a habitat of many wild birds and mammals.
There is no way to cross the river so a walk back into the town quay is needed. Here you can switch to the south bank and stroll out to the Redclyffe Sailing Club or beyond.
Percy F Westerman who wrote nearly 180 adventure books for children.
Base and home of children’s adventure author Percy F Westerman. Whom once moored his former Thames barge houseboat and later went onto form the sailing club that is still there today.
Redclyffe Sailing Club
All in all the former mariner wrote just under 180 books racking up sales of nearly 1,600,000 copies! 140 were written whilst living in Wareham.
River Piddle And River Frome
Stationed prior to D Day June 1944 the American Army 1st Division were camped in the area. There is a small memorial plaque on the southern riverside walk. Not too far away is the village of Tyneham that was taken over in 1943 by the British Army for that key invasion plan. The village residents were moved out and have never been able return.
Memorial to the US troops that passed through the town for D Day.
At holiday times this deserted village of Tyneham can be visited, although it is still part of an active army gunnery range today!
As well as the River Frome there is a second river that flows past its northern edge that is called the River Piddle!
Yes, that is its name! But it also goes under another name of the River Trent for those with a more sensitive disposition.
