We are delighted to be hosting the UK’s first Nordic walking festival as part of the PURBECK OUTDOOR WEEKEND in September (16th – 18th.) Come and join us on our home turf, the stunning Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. Explore tranquil beaches, stunning Jurassic coastal paths, ancient castles and picture postcard villages.

This festival will combine workshops, social events, guided Nordic walks and the UK’s first Nordic walking Marathon (in fact its almost 27 miles due to the rugged terrain!) there will also be a 16 mile stunning challenge route and a host of walks at all levels. Entries open after Easter and all finishers will get a unique medal.

We are busy planning the final schedule but we do know that there will be a warm Dorset welcome for Nordic Walkers (and wannabe Nordic walkers) from far and wide! Come on your own or with a group or come to get started and join our family!

The Festival website is under construction and it will be packed with information to help you plan a great few days.

There will be a choice of walks each day which will vary in level, distance and difficulty. All will include amazing views or be themed to include interests such as foraging, mindful walking, wildlife, a Thomas Hardy trail and even a geological Jurassic jaunt! The full timetable will allow plenty of opportunity to Nordic walk, relax and socialize. All sessions will be led by qualified leaders and all will be pre bookable so you can pre plan your perfect Festival

There will be a central hub in Swanage where we will be on hand with information, registration and a lively range of social activities too. We have compiled an accommodation and travel information sheet and are busy negotiating discounts with many popular venues.

Feel free to attend for all 3 days or just come along for the challenge routes (27 and 16 miles) which are on the Saturday and finish in the hub where we plan a lovely sociable BBQ overlooking Swanage Bay. You can choose to do as much or as little as you like!

Entry to the Festival will include choice of at least 4 walks a day plus workshops, T shirt and admission to the HUB (plus loads more too)- all walkers will need to register to take part but we are only charging £25 a day or £60 for ALL three! We also want as many people as possible to join us for the 16 miler or 27 miler on the Saturday and these will be an extra £10 or £15 respectively because you get another T shirt and a MEDAL and we have to cover costs of road closures, first aid and back up/water stations en route. There will also be a BBQ at the HUB on the Saturday evening so we can all welcome the brave 27 milers home.

The key location for accessibility for accommodation with good links to the Festival HUB and most walks would be Swanage, Wareham, Corfe Castle and the surrounding areas – there are a host of venues from Cottages and Campsites to Yurts and luxury Boutique Hotels.
For those without cars we will have bookable transfers meeting the key trains from London to Wareham and there will be a car share register for lifts to the walks. There is a steam train from Corfe Castle to Swanage and a great bus service (The Purbeck Breezer.) Please note, whilst walks will be starting from the HUB – many will also start at other locations around the Isle of Purbeck and full directions will be given when you register for them(once the site is live). We want you to experience the full range of hills, rugged coast and moorland plus the history and culture of our amazing ‘Island’.

More information coming soon but if you are interested, register your interest by emailing support@nordicwalking.co.uk or if you are a Facebook user please visit our Facebook event and click ‘interested’ or ‘going’ to get updates. If you are looking for group accommodation let us know asap. In the meantime, these websites might help:-

https://corfe-castle.co.uk/accommodation/
https://www.virtual-swanage.co.uk/
https://www.visit-dorset.com/accommodation
https://www.corfecastleholidays.com/
https://www.californiabarn.co.uk/
https://www.bankesarmshotel.co.uk/

Travel information

Local buses – https://www.purbeckbreezer.co.uk/purbeck-breezers-routes
Steam railway https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/corfe-castle
Trains form London Waterloo  – https://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/