Land & Wave is very lucky to be situated in the stunning county of Dorset.

This fantastic location allows us to run all of our activities within minutes of each other. From iconic rock stacks and a world-famous arch to World War 2 history-drenched landscapes – it’s an educational dream. We have geography case studies galore and we’re super accessible – only 2.5 hours from London on the train!

Here’s a run-down of the ‘Must-do’s’ of our beloved county:

Visit Corfe Castle

This Norman Castle, is the assassination site of the teenage King Edward, built upon a natural mottle dominating a gap in the Purbeck hills – giving it incredible strategic advantage in battle (and views).

In the early 12th century, King Henry I had the 21 meter keep erected out of local Purbeck Limestone, quarried only a few miles away.

Many centuries of kings, knights and various dignitary’s have resided in the castle, whose ruins that you see today.

Boasting numerous pubs and eateries, Corfe Castle is a quaint but beautiful spot for a bimble and a look around.

Our school campsite overlooks these incredible castle ruins – it’s the perfect base for a September Field Studies trip – the sunsets are epic!

Visit Dancing Ledge

On this Dorset segment of the South West Coast Path, you’ll find a geographer’s dream. All manner of formations occur here; most famously Dancing Ledge.

This wave-cut platform is an iconic location, not only for walks and school trips, but for adrenaline-fuelled activities such as climbing and coasteering. This limestone formation also houses a small tidal pool that has become a popular wild swimming spot.

If you can handle the scramble down – it’s well worth the effort!

You can join us for Coasteering at Dancing Ledge between April and October.

Stroll along Studland Beach

Another note-worthy section of the South West Coast Path takes you along the beautiful Studland Bay. This 4 mile stretch of white sand is the perfect spot for a walk and a pub lunch. Or a great case study for longshore drift and regression – if you’re more geologically inclined…

Studland Bay was used as a practice location for military operations during the Second World War. Just six weeks before D-Day , Winston Churchill was joined by King George VI, Supreme Allied commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and Acting Admiral Louis Mountbatten at Fort Henry to watch the largest live ammunition practice of the entire war. You can still visit Fort Henry and stand in the footsteps of these historical giants.

Following WW2, the Studland Bay area has since come under guardianship of the National Trust, who focus on maintaining the numerous natural habitats that span the bay.

Another geographer’s dream location, with Old Harry Rocks being an excellent example of coastal erosion: stacks, stumps, arches and caves – all in one stretch of cliff.

Cafes, restaurants, hotels and watersports – Studland has it all and is the perfect spot for solo adventurers, school trips and families alike.

You can find out more about what the National Trust gets up to here.

Visit the Lulworth Estate

Currently owned by the Weld family, the Lulworth Estate is home to prominent and unique geological landforms in Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door (as well as boasting a 17th century ‘impostor’ castle).

The castle in question is in fact a hunting lodge used by Thomas Howard to host royalty and dignitaries on trips to the country – basically an old school ‘man cave’. In 1641, the Weld family bought the estate for only £30,000 and turned the castle into their home. The property is also home to the first freestanding Roman Catholic Chapel in the UK.

Lulworth Cove is renowned for being a perfect example of a cove, notable for its sedimentary rocks and folding. Durdle Door is not only an icon in the Bollywood film industry (Housefull 3, if you were curious) but yet another geographer’s dream.

Yet another stretch of Dorset where there’s an ice cream parlour every 5 meters, you can enjoy a fabulous day of exploring with an ice cream at the end.

Swanage Bay

1 mile from Land & Wave HQ, you have the picturesque Swanage Bay. Yet another awesome location for geological process studies (and ice cream), as well as many aspects of human geography.

With it being only 10 minutes from Studland Bay, you can directly compare the affects of the different processes and the environments that surround them.

Historically, a favoured seaside resort of Princess Victoria, much of the prized rock from Swanage has been used in great monuments and buildings in London, such as Westminster Abbey.

Whether you’re looking for field trips or just a fun day out – Dorset has everything you could want or need!

Psst.. Fancy a freebie?

If you want to hear more about our available field studies trips, we’re running a FREE Teacher’s Weekend in February Half Term, 2025.

Join us on 15 & 16 February to experience all that Dorset has to offer: COMPLETELY FREE!

To register your interest, please complete the form here

We hope you enjoy everything that Dorset has to offer (and hopefully join us for a day of adventure).