The remains of the Wareham walls offer fantastic views over Dorset. They form part of a fairly short walk of about 1 mile around the time of Wareham. This site has some details about walking the Wareham walls.
Occasionally there are direct trains from Sway to Wareham but usually it will require a change at Brockenhurst, New Milton or Bournemouth. Train times can be found here.
Leave the station by platform 2. Follow the signposted route to the town centre. This takes the path under the road bridge and into North street (the main street). Continue passed Mount Pleasant until you reach St Martin’s church. Go just passed the church and then head up the ramp to the church entrance. if it’s open then it’s a lovely small church to peek inside.
Turn right at the church entrance onto St. Martin’s Close and on reaching the road turn left into St. Martin’s Lane and then right into Folly Lane. You will see the walls walk right in front of you. Follow the walk.
When you reach the churchyard of the priory church of Lady St Mary, follow the signpost to the right to “The Walls Walk and The Quay” and walk between 2 churchyards. At the end of the yards follow the road (Church Lane) left towards the church, signposted to “The Quay”. At the end of Church Lane turn left and pass the front of the church. Cross the square in front of the church and and follow the signpost towards “The Quay”.
At the quay there are a few options for refreshments. Alternatively the quay is at the end of the main street and there are options to explore the town and cafés.
Cross the main road (North Street) at the quay and head down Abbots Quay, passed the smaller quay. At the end of this short road turn left into Pound Lane. At the end of Pound Lane cross West Street. You will see the wall trail in front of you. Pick up the trail again here.
At the end of the wall you reach a road, Shatter’s Hill. Turn left and follow the road back to the main street.
When you reach this point you can turn right to explore the town center or turn left to retrace your steps back to the station.
When we did the walk on 1st March, we went into the town center and then down West Street. There is a lovely preserved cinema and coffee room called the Rex, run by volunteers. Hilary gave us a wonderful insight into the history of the Rex. It has been beautifully restored and was a great place to rest our feet and have a coffee at the end of the walk.
