Weymouth to Wareham

This route gives access to the east using quiet roads. Once the downs have been crossed the route is undulating. It follows the Frome Valley and where rural farm land gives way to sandy heathland. Some cyclists will prefer to take the main road to Chalbury Corner before joining the route at Coombe Valley Road.

It is suitable for all types of rider including confident child cyclists. It is also suitable for most types of bike though there is an unmade section which would be uncomfortable on a lightweight road bike. Those on trikes, trailers and heavily laden tandems will need to take a short diversion (see below) but otherwise should also be able to enjoy this route.

The bridge at Moreton ford which cyclists can walk over

You start from the Swannery car park going north on the cycle track on the wide pavement beside Radipole Park Drive. You soon turn right to cross the railway via the excellent Alexander cycle bridge.

You soon cross the busy Dorchester Road and you can use the pelican crossing near Tesco if you find this road intimidating. After another short stretch on minor roads, passing Weymouth College, you travel on a cycle track through Lodmoor Country Park.

After some further quiet residential roads you will reach a footpath near to Chalbury Corner. It is about 150 yards long with barriers and you will need to walk here. If your bike will not fit continue on Wyke Oliver Road, turn left at the end onto the busy Preston Road and left at Chalbury Corner before rejoining the route at Coombe Valley Road.

Coombe Valley Road is very pleasant though it is uphill over the downs. Some extra care is required because it is narrow in places and is used as a rat run by some motor vehicles.

From the top of the downs it is a pleasant descent into Broadmayne. After Broadmayne the route leads to Moreton. T E Lawrence of Arabia is buried here and his grave can be visited. The church has the most beautiful modern Whistler windows. There is also a café. The very broad ford is just off the route but you can try your river crossing skills here or just have a paddle. The route via Wool to Wareham continues on quiet roads and passes several pubs.

There is no coast road from Weymouth to the east, and the A352, the direct route to Wareham, is too busy for most cyclists to enjoy. It is possible to detour to Lulworth Cove, the coast and the downs from Wool.

Once at Wareham you are on the edge of the Poole and Bournemouth conurbation. The A352 is very busy here and the alternatives for getting to central Bournemouth and Poole are not ideal. It is possible to get from Wareham to the Sandbanks Ferry in Poole off road but it is only suitable for a mountain bike. Details are available on http://www.purbeck-dc.gov.uk/pdf/New%20Rempstone%20Ride.pdf . An on road detour through the Purbecks is lengthy and the roads quite busy. There is a frequent rail service from Wareham which takes solo bikes.

Downloads for this route

The following files are in .zip format. They need to be unzipped and saved to a directory of your choice. You can then load them into the appropriate application.

This route in Google Earth format to open in the Google Earth application
This is the the route in .kml format

This route in Garmin format version 2 for uploading to your GPS
This is the the route in .gdb format

This route in Memory-Map format, waypoints only, for uploading to computer's software
This is the the route in .mxf format

This route in universal format for uploading to many applications
This is the the route in .gpx format