Purbeck Breezer 40 - Breeze from the hustle & bustle of Poole through the quaint villages and stunning scenary of the Isle of Purbeck with the glorious Breezer 40.

A journey through Purbeck’s heart

Your adventure begins at Poole bus station, a short walk from the town’s historic heart. Poole is defined by its magnificent natural harbour, the largest in Europe.

The epicentre of activity is Poole Quay, a dynamic waterfront where modern yachts moor alongside traditional fishing vessels. The Quay is also the primary departure point for the ferry to Brownsea Island, a National Trust-managed wildlife sanctuary famous as one of the last strongholds in southern England for the native red squirrel.

The route continues to the ancient town of Wareham, a historical gem situated between the rivers Frome and Piddle. Wareham is one of only two towns in England still enclosed by its original Saxon defensive earthworks, built in the 9th century by Alfred the Great to defend against Viking attacks.

The one-mile Wareham Walls Walk follows the crest of these ramparts, offering wonderful views over the town and surrounding water meadows. The town also serves as a key transport hub, with the Breezer 40 stopping at Wareham Railway Station, linking the national rail network with the attractions of Purbeck for a seamless, car-free journey.

Leaving Wareham, the bus climbs into the chalk ridges of the Purbeck Hills, where it delivers its most unforgettable moment. As the bus ascends, the landscape opens up to reveal the iconic silhouette of Corfe Castle, a truly breathtaking sight as the romantic ruins rise majestically from their conical mound.

The bus stop in the village places you at the foot of this magnificent National Trust property, a fortress whose history spans over a thousand years from William the Conqueror to its dramatic end in the English Civil War.

The charming village, built from grey Purbeck stone, is also home to a beautifully preserved station on the Swanage Railway, a premier heritage line.

This allows for a unique choice: continue to Swanage with the bus’s panoramic hilltop views, or step back in time aboard a historic steam train for a nostalgic ride through the valley floor.

The final leg of the journey from Corfe Castle is arguably the most scenic, offering spectacular views back towards the castle as the bus climbs high into the hills before descending into Langton Matravers.

The route concludes in Swanage, a quintessential Victorian seaside resort set in a beautiful, sheltered bay on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

The town is famed for its award-winning golden sandy beach, a beautifully restored Victorian pier, and its role as the main terminus for the Swanage Railway. Swanage is also a fantastic base for walkers, with easy access to Durlston Country Park and the South West Coast Path, which leads to the magnificent chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks.

The Purbeck Breezer 40 runs all year, seven days a week, with buses up to every hour. For the best value, the Zone ABC Dayrider ticket allows for unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel across the entire Breezer network, making it easy to connect in Swanage to other routes like the open-top Breezer 50 to Bournemouth or the Jurassic Breezer 30 to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on board, making it the perfect way to explore the region’s stunning landscapes without a car.