Jane's Midlife Journey

The historic market town of Wareham may be small, with a population of just 5,877, but it certainly packs a punch with its picturesque rivers, quaint quayside and rich cultural heritage. Situated in between the River Frome and the River Piddle, just 13 miles south west of Bournemouth, this captivating town’s most distinctive feature is its ancient Saxon defence walls.

A day trip to Wareham enables you to explore the Saxon walled town, visit its historical landmarks and bustling quayside and relax by the river. And if that isn’t enough, there is an array of excellent attractions within a few miles of the town.

How to get to Wareham

Wareham is easily reachable from Bournemouth via the A35/A351.

By bus

The 40 Purbeck Breezer, which runs between Poole and Swanage roughly every hour, stops at South Bridge, right next to the quay.

By train

Wareham Station is on the London Waterloo to Weymouth line and is less than a mile from the town centre.

River Cruise

The most scenic way to travel to Wareham is to take a River Cruise from Poole Quay. This 70 minute boat trip takes you across Poole Harbour, before turning on to the River Frome.

Parking

There are several car parks in the town, including Bonnets Lane, Connegar Lane, Rempstone Centre and Streche Road. Parking costs £1.20 for 1 hour. Charges apply daily between 8 am and 6 pm.

Getting around Wareham

Wareham is best explored on foot. The walk around the Saxon walls is around a mile in length. My full itinerary is around 2 miles.

Wareham in 1 Day Itinerary

1	Wareham River Cruise
2	Wareham Quay
3	Lunch on the Quay
4	Saxon Walls
5	St Martin’s-on-The-Walls
6	Lady St Mary Church
7	Wareham Town Museum
8	Rex Cinema
9	South Bridge
10	River Frome

Wareham River Cruise

A River Cruise from Poole to Wareham will bring you across Poole Harbour, past Brownsea Island. Then the boat turns onto the River Frome and pootles up the river, which is lined with yachts and reeds On one side is RSPB Arne, abundant with birdlife – on our trip we spotted an osprey diving into the harbour.

We opted to travel with Greenslade Pleasure Boats. They offer a 3.5 hour return trip. This consists of a 70 minute cruise in each direction, with 70 minutes spent ashore in Wareham. Along the way, the skipper provides a commentary pointing out places of interest and wildlife. Drinks and snacks plus toilet facilities are all available on board, although you can only use the toilet while the boat is in Poole Harbour.

Cruises begin in May and run throughout the summer. A return ticket costs £23 (children aged 1 – 12 yrs cost £15). A one way ticket costs £13 (Children £10).

Note: The Frome River to Wareham is tidal, therefore this is a special cruise which can only be taken when the tide allows. Check the website for the current schedule.

Wareham Quay

The boat docks at Wareham Quay, a quaint square, constructed of Purbeck stone, surrounded by old buildings, many of which are now pubs and cafes.

Lunch on the Quay

There are several options to dine on the quay, including the Quay Inn and the Old Granary. We opted to pop into the nearby Sainsbury’s and purchase some sandwiches to eat on a riverside bench.

Saxon Walls

Wareham is famous for the monumental Saxon Walls which surround the town. The walls, which stretch around three sides of the town, with the river on the south side, are some of the best preserved in the country. They were originally built by Alfred the Great in the 9th century to protect against Viking raids.

You can still take a walk along the top of walls and imagine what life was like here centuries ago. The one mile long Wareham Walls Walk offers panoramic views, glimpses of Norman castle remnants and fascinating insights into the town’s 1,000-year history.

St Martin’s-on-The-Walls

St Martin’s-on-The-Walls is Dorset’s most complete Saxon church, featuring historic interior stonework. In the north aisle is a stone effigy of T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) in full Arab dress, who lived (and died) nearby.

Lady St Mary Church

Lady St Mary Church is another Church of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is built from local Purbeck stone and is believed to be where Beorhtric, King of Wessex, was buried in 802.

Wareham Town Museum

For a dose of local history, visit the Wareham Town Museum, which chronicles the fascinating story of Wareham from prehistoric times to the present day.. There is also a special exhibition dedicated to T.E. Lawrence.

Between April and October, the museum is open daily except Sunday from 10 am until 4 pm. (During, the winter opening times are Thursdays and Fridays from 10 am until 2 pm.) Entry is free.

Rex Cinema

The Rex Cinema was built in 1889 and has been a cinema since 1920 making it one of the oldest cinemas in the country. The cinema maintains its Art Deco interior as well as original gas light fittings. It is now run as a charity and offers everything from recent releases to live streamed theatre and opera. There are also special events, such as the Purbeck Film Festival.

South Bridge

Wareham’s iconic South Bridge, which spans the River Frome adjacent to the Quay, is a key local landmark (and a popular spot for children to jump into the river).

River Frome

The gently meandering River Frome is a popular paddling place for children and dogs, with the more intrepid children enjoying jumping off the bridge. If you cross the bridge, you can follow a path alongside the river. You can hire boats, kayaks or SUPs to explore the river from Wareham River Boat Hire, located just across the road from the quay.

Events

Wareham’s calendar has plenty of activities to offer. Highlights include Wareham Carnival in July, Wareham Wednesdays in August, the Purbeck Film Festival in October and various markets and craft fairs throughout the year.

Wareham Wednesdays

On Wednesdays in August, Wareham Quay hosts Wareham Wednesdays with themed evenings incorporating raft races, tug of war, live music and fireworks. This year’s themes include a visit to the Wild West and a pirate invasion. Events run from 6.30 pm until 10.15 pm, with a firework display at 10 pm. There is also food, refreshments, children’s entertainment and fairground stalls and rides.

Saturday Market

Wareham Quay Market takes place on the quay every Saturday from 8 am. Stalls include, flowers, vegetables, fish, meat, cheeses, preserves, collectables and more.

Nearby Attractions

If you still have time, there are several excellent attractions nearby:

• Monkey World: Ape Rescue Centre (6 miles west).
• The Tank Museum: Historic military vehicles (7 miles west).
• The Blue Pool: Woodland water gardens and tearooms (3 miles south).
• Corfe Castle: Iconic castle ruins (4 miles south east).
• RSPB Arne: Nature Reserve offering views across Poole Harbour and excellent birdwatching opportunities (4 miles east).
• Careys Secret Garden: Victorian walled garden (2 miles north west).

• Trip taken: August 2026