Top 5 Wild Swimming Spots in the Isle of Purbeck

We count ourselves particularly fortunate to have the Purbecks right on our doorstep. There's no feeling like rolling off the chain ferry and into an adventure in the wooded hills and sandy beaches. With endless tracks, trails, ridges and forest canopies, it isn't surprising that Brother Cycles have chosen it for the site of their Brother in the Wild Dorset event for five years running.

Aside from the fantastic cycling and iconic pubs, one of our favourite things about the Isle of Purbeck is its selection of wild swimming spots. Ranging from deserted beaches to hidden coves, we've listed some of our favourite places to go for a dip along the Purbeck coastline.

If you’re headed to Brother in the Wild Dorset, you can find us serving delicious food and coffee all weekend from our little blue caravan. Check out our usual cafe menu here.

Kimmeridge Bay

This is one of the better-known beaches in the Purbecks, but its location and possibly lack of sand mean it is rarely busy. It is a sheltered bay surrounded by cliffs which means the waters are usually very calm and clear. Being this protected means the marine life in this bay is incredibly diverse and colourful so if you can, bring a snorkel. If driving, you have to pay a toll on the road down to the Bay car park, but it can be linked to several clifftop cycling routes, and Steeple Lease campsite is perfect walking or cruisy cycling distance from Kimmeridge Bay. If you pick the right summer's day, you might even catch the colourful Mexican street food truck packed up in the bay car park, slinging spicy and flavourful dishes, a welcome break from the usual pub grub found in most Purbeck food establishments.

Winspit

If you're going to The Isle of Purbeck, particularly on a bike, there's a pretty strong chance a visit to the Square and Compass pub is already on your list. However, before stopping off for a refreshing pint of Moonlight and a pasty, we recommend heading down for a dip at one of the Purbeck's most picturesque wild swim spots, Winspit. Scramble down the rocks and onto the secluded ledge that juts out, meeting the dark blue inviting waves. It s a bit more effort to get down and into the water at Winspit than some other places, but it is one of our favourites. Worth Matravers is probably already on your route plan, but if not, then we love linking this swim up with the Priests Way for a bumpy but fun ride back down to Swanage.

This year at Brother in the Wild as well as serving food and coffee we’re organising a ride out from our cafe Velo Domestique in Southbourne meeting at midday on Friday the 13th of May. Ride event page here.

Chapman's Pool

Not far along the coast from Winspit is one of the Purbeck's best kept secret beaches, it's not a secret, but it feels like it whenever you visit as it is so quiet. Chapman's Pool's dazzlingly turquoise waters are not easily accessible if you are travelling by car; the nearest car park is small, fills up quick and even if you can get a spot still requires a rope descent (no, this isn't a joke) down the footpath to reach the beach. The journey by bike is much easier either by bridleway or private road, meandering down to the sheltered cove of Chapman's Pool. This is also one of the only spots on this list that you can cycle all the way down to the waterfront.

Ower Bay

The Purbeck side of Poole Harbour is a massively underused coastline that is wonderful for wild swimming. The natural harbour means that the waters are always calm, and the shallow waters warm up nicely in the sunshine. Ower Bay is particularly secluded because it is so far from a public car park or a public road. Reaching Ower Bay is an enjoyable off-road cycle and only a slight diversion from the trails of Burnbake Forest. This swimming spot is almost always empty, even on the busiest summer days.

Bramble Bush Bay

Keeping along the inside of Poole Harbour, this spot is ideal if you fancy a quick cooling dip before getting back on the chain ferry on your way back home. Overshadowed by the nearby well known Studland and Knoll beaches, Bramble Bush Bay rarely draws crowds. Hidden from the view of the road by trees and bushes, this is our favourite spot on a warm sunny day. The shallow waters are always inviting. The best way to find this spot is via a gate with a 'Keep clear emergency exit' sign on it just before reaching the chain ferry toll booth.

If we want to preserve these incredible spots, we need to leave them how we find them; make sure you take anything you bring away with you. If you plan to have a wash whilst swimming, make sure you use chemical-free, natural shampoo or shower gel. Most of these spots are not suitable for BBQs or fire pits, so please do not bring them as they have caused wildfires in the past.

In an effort to reduce waste at our events, we are selling our own Sticky Bottle enamel mugs, not only are these helping us limit the environmental impact of the event but we’re also giving Sticky Bottle enamel mug owners unlimited filter coffee all weekend. Buy yours from our little blue caravan at Brother in the Wild Dorset.

Local to Bournemouth and love getting in the sea? Why not join our pals Cold Water Collective on their weekly Sunday morning swims down at Boscombe pier.