Day 16

The final day! Visit Corfe Castle, Swanage and finish the route at the South West Coast Path end marker at Studland. On the last day, go back towards Weymouth and follow the A354 and turn on to the A353 towards Osmington. Follow the A353 until the roundabout and then take the third exit on to the A352 (Wareham Road). At the Worgret Roundabout near Wareham, take the third exit on to the A351 towards Corfe Castle. At Corfe Castle you can park up in the National Trust car park and visit Corfe Castle. Don’t forget to buy your tickets online before visiting the castle and surrounding area. Corfe Castle Visiting Corfe Castle is an easy stop on the way, park in the National Trust car park just off the A351. You’ll need to allow time to walk to the castle and walk around. Visit the Castle and the village and don’t forget the Model village and gardens (The Square, Corfe Castle BH20 5EZ). Swanage Swanage is a lovely small seaside town, it was originally a small port and fishing village. In Victorian times it became an important quarrying port and later a seaside resort for the rich of the day. Today the town remains a popular tourist resort which is the town's primary industry, many thousands of visitors arrive to the town during the peak summer season drawn by the bay's sandy beaches and other attractions. It’s a super beach to walk along but try to arrive early in the day or later in the afternoon when the crowds have gone. The SWCP End Marker - Studland Park up at Shell Bay National Trust Car Park, it’s just off Ferry Road before the ferry terminal on the right hand side. At the top of the carpark near the buildings there is a pathway on to the beach. Walk the last part to the marker point - you’ll see this just before the ferry terminal. When I originally drove this route I did it by myself with our eight month old puppy, Patch. For me it was not only a challenge but a massive fact finding mission and I had lots of fun doing it. I drove to the Shell Bay car park which is owned by the National Trust just off Ferry Road, this is where I met my hubby and our other two dogs, Ben and Barney, together we all walked the final leg along the beach to the end marker point. It was quite an emotional moment realising I had completed the route. Although I have not walked all of the South West Coast Path I have walked quite a large part of it in Cornwall and I guess that feeling of accomplishment walking to the end is the same whether you have walked or driven it. After-all 700 miles over several weeks is quite an adventure. I really hope you enjoy your trip and have lots of fun driving around four counties, some of it will be challenging but you can do it!