Surrounded by the nature of the Purbeck National Nature Reserve and just a short ride from the Jurassic Coast, Burnbake is the perfect place to embark on an adventure on two wheels. With route options for all levels of cyclists, all you need to decide is where to go first
Whether you’re looking for history and heritage, spectacular scenery or a day at the beach, Burnbake is perfectly placed for a freewheeling day out. Don’t have a bike? No problem! We work with Cycle Experience to offer a wide selection of bikes for all ages to hire on site. If you want to start with a light ride, we have 20 acres of woodland to pedal your way around right here on the Rempstone estate, which is perfect for kids to explore. For those of you feeling a little more energetic, here are five of the best trails taking in our local attractions and beauty spots…
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 Bike to the beach
Distance: 10–15 miles
Time: 3–4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Starting at the spectacular hilltop ruins of Corfe Castle, this mostly flat, mostly off-road route has it all – history, nature, jaw-dropping views and the sandy shores of Studland Bay as your reward at the end (before you tackle the return leg). Along the way, you’ll pass through the heathland and forests of the Rempstone Estate – home to Burnbake. If you’ve still got energy to burn, you can also carry on along Studland to take in the views of Old Harry Rocks, which consists of three chalk formations, including a stack and a stump, located at Handfast Point. To refuel, try the National Trust’s Knoll Beach Café or, for a special occasion, book a table at The Pig on the Beach.
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Corfe Castle to Studland loop
Distance: 20 miles
Time: 5–6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (this mountain bike route is mainly off-road)
This off-road loop is ideal for anyone happy charging up (and down) hills on a mountain bike, or willing to splash out on hiring an e-bike from Cycle Experience at Purbeck Park to do the hard work. The good news is those climbs come with spectacular views to Swanage, the Needles on the Isle of Wight and Bournemouth, while the downhills provide opportunities to freewheel as you’re soaking up the scenery. Starting at Corfe Castle, the route takes in Purbeck Ridge, Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks. After stopping for lunch at Studland village, you’ll then head towards the Sandbanks Ferry before taking a bridleway to start the loop across the heathland back to Corfe Castle.
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Steamy Swanage
Distance: 15 miles
Time: 4–5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (an e-bike is recommended unless you are a reasonably fit cyclist)
With Corfe Castle at one end and the Swanage Steam Railway at the other, this is a bike ride for history buffs, with the option of stopping halfway round the loop and taking the 12-mile return train journey. Along the way, you’ll pass Kingston, Worth Mantravers and Langton Mantravers villages, where you can call into a pub or café. Alternatively, you can grab lunch before boarding or stopping to admire the train at the beautiful seaside town of Swanage. While here, take the opportunity to enjoy a promenade along the Victorian pier and look out over Swanage Bay from Durlston Castle – a unique Victorian building, with spectacular rooftop views, a café, gallery and shop.
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Wareham and Corfe Castle loop
Distance: 13 miles
Time: 3–4 hours
Difficulty: Easy (mostly flat with one, gentle hill climb)
This gentle circular route will transport you from Corfe Castle to the historic town of Wareham and back again, passing through stunning countryside, moorland, nature reserves and charming villages along the way. At the half way point, Wareham is a great place to stop for lunch in one of its excellent pubs and enjoy a paddle along the idyllic River Frome, with canoes, kayaks and paddle boards available to hire from Wareham Boat Hire. If you want to make a full day of it, you could also plan to explore the world’s largest collection of tanks at the Tank Museum, before pedalling home with the Purbeck Hills as the backdrop.
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Arne nature reserve
Distance: 9 miles
Time: 2–4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Situated on Poole Harbour, with a rich patchwork of landscapes, including open heathland, wetlands and ancient oak woodland, RSPB Arne Nature Reserve is a wildlife haven within the Dorset Area of Natural Beauty. Home to standout species, including Sika deer, spoonbills and Dartford Warblers, it’s also one of the few places in the UK where all six of the UK’s native reptiles can be found. A ramble through heathland and woodland will take you to Shipstal Beach – a quiet refuge from the busier parts of Poole Harbour – where you might be lucky enough to spot seals from the sandy shoreline. To get here and back from the bike hire centre, it’s just a gentle and blissfully flat ride along a quiet lane, leaving you free to admire the view.
So get those wheels turning, book your stay at Burnbake and explore the best cycle routes that the Jurassic Coast has to offer!
