Wareham

Ancient Saxon walls still ring this market town that's older than most English settlements. Wareham sits where the Rivers Frome and Piddle meet, creating a natural fortress that Alfred the Great chose as one of his burhs back in the 9th century. Walk the old town walls today and you're literally following in Saxon footsteps.

The Rex cinema keeps the high street alive with its Art Deco facade, while St Martin's-on-The-Walls holds some of the finest Saxon stonework you'll find anywhere. It's a proper working town rather than a tourist honeypot, which gives it an authentic feel that's increasingly rare in Dorset.

Just outside town, the Purbeck Hills rise to the south while Poole Harbour stretches north - you're perfectly positioned between heathland and water. Northmoor Park offers decent walking through the flood meadows, and the old railway line makes for easy cycling. The whole area feels wonderfully undiscovered compared to the circus at Corfe Castle just down the road.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A35 runs right past, and it's only 20 minutes from Poole if you're coming by train. The surrounding countryside is littered with camping options, from basic sites in Wareham Forest to proper holiday parks near the coast. Staying at one of the local parks makes perfect sense when you want to explore both the Purbeck Peninsula and the quieter parts of Poole Harbour without the crowds.