The best running trails around Church Knowle

The Parish Church of St Edward the Martyr sits prominently in the square at the heart of Corfe Castle village, Dorset. Granted Grade II* listed status, this historic Anglican church is named after the teenage Saxon King, Edward the Martyr, who was murdered nearby in 978 AD on the orders of his stepmother, Queen Alfthryth. Local folklore asserts that the church stands directly on the site of a blind woman's hovel where the king's body was initially concealed, miraculously restoring her sight upon its discovery. While the first stone church on the site was constructed during the 12th century and later expanded in the 13th century, the building has survived immense turmoil. During the English Civil War (1642–1646), Parliamentary troops besieged the nearby royal fortress and used the church to billet men and stable horses. The soldiers caused severe damage, using the masonry for target practice, burning parish records, and stripping lead from the roof to melt into musket balls. Musket shot marks are still visible on the stone walls today. Between 1859 and 1860, architect T.H. Wyatt oversaw a major Victorian reconstruction because the medieval walls were bulging severely. Apart from the majestic 15th-century West Tower built by the Beaufort family, the entire church was pulled down and rebuilt. Notable surviving interior treasures include a 15th-century font carved from local Purbeck Marble and ten intricately carved medieval roof bosses preserved over the sanctuary.

From the rolling hillside of the Purbeck Hills, Corfe Castle emerges like a shattered crown against the Dorset skyline. The elevated vantage point reveals the dramatic scale of the 11th-century fortress, its fractured stone keeps and crumbling ramparts clinging to a steep mound. Below, the historic village wraps neatly around the castle base, its gray limestone roofs smoking gently. Depending on the hour, the view shifts dramatically: morning mist often isolates the ruins above a sea of white, while the setting sun casts long, haunting shadows across the surrounding vibrant green valley.

Corfe Castle offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the Purbeck Hills and rolling Dorset countryside. From its hilltop ruins, you can see the historic Swanage Railway steam trains passing below. On clear days, the vistas stretch across the vibrant heathlands all the way to Poole Harbour and the distant sea.

Unusual structure on the headland, a good way marker!

The Experience Today Standing next to it today, you realize it’s more than just a pillar; it’s a monument to the connection between London and the Dorset coast. It’s a bit of a "geographic hug"—on one side you have the sweep of Swanage Bay, and on the other, the massive expanse of Poole Harbour. It’s the perfect place to lean against the cold stone, catch your breath, and realise you’re touching a piece of 19th-century London history that just happened to find a better view in Dorset.

The "Why" Behind the Hill Burt didn't just put it there because it looked nice. He dedicated it to his uncle and mentor, John Mowlem (another massive figure in Swanage history). But there was a practical side, too: A Landmark: It served as a waypoint for ships navigating the tricky waters around Old Harry Rocks. The View: Burt was obsessed with showing off the beauty of his hometown. By placing it on the ridge, he essentially gave people a reason to climb the hill and look down at the town he was helping to build. The Great Disappearing Act (WWII) If you look closely at the obelisk today, it looks remarkably "clean." That’s because the one you see now is a reconstruction. During World War II, the original stone obelisk was considered a "navigational hazard." The British military was worried that German pilots would use the tall, white stone pillar as a landmark to help them find their bearings for bombing raids on nearby Bournemouth or Poole. So, in 1941, they knocked it down. For decades, it lay in pieces in the grass. It wasn't until 1973 that the Encombe Estate and local residents gathered the resources to rebuild it (using a mix of the original stone and some fresh Purbeck masonry) to celebrate "Plant a Tree in '73"—though ironic, as there isn't a tree in sight on that windy ridge!

If you’ve been hiking those ridges, that lone stone pillar standing guard over Swanage has likely caught your eye. It’s officially known as the Ballard Down Obelisk (or the Burt Memorial), and the story behind it is a classic tale of Victorian pride, a bit of eccentricity, and some very literal "re-gifting." The "Stolen" Monument The obelisk wasn't originally built for the Purbeck Hills. It actually started its life in London. In the mid-1800s, it served as a monument to a man named James Thompson, standing near the entrance to the Vauxhall Bridge. However, when the bridge was being rebuilt in the late 19th century, the obelisk became an "obstruction" and was destined for the scrap heap. Enter George Burt: The Man Who Moved London Swanage looks the way it does today largely because of George Burt, a local businessman who ran a massive masonry firm in London. He had a habit of taking "architectural leftovers" from London and shipping them back to Swanage as ballast on his empty stone boats. When he saw the obelisk was going to be demolished in 1892, he stepped in. He didn't just save it; he dismantled it, shipped it down the coast, and hauled it all the way to the top of Ballard Down.

St Nicholas ChurchClick to open side panel for more information is a remarkably well-preserved Norman building, often cited as one of the oldest churches in Dorset. Its sturdy limestone exterior reflects the rugged character of the surrounding Purbeck landscape. Ancient Architecture: Dating back to around 1100, the church features a distinct Norman nave and chancel, with a notable carved doorway and a hauntingly beautiful interior. Unique Details: Inside, you can find a 13th-century font and a stone floor that has been smoothed by centuries of footsteps. Maritime Connection: Given its proximity to the coast, it has long served as a spiritual sanctuary for local fishermen and quarrymen.