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Isle of Purbeck

The Isle of Purbeck is a peninsula in the county of Dorset, England. It is bordered by the English Channel to the south where rugged limestone downs fall to the sea in steep cliffs.

Extensive quarrying of the Purbeck stone has taken place here. Walking along the cliffs you can see evidence of man-made caves where the stone has been extracted. The most southerly point of the Isle of Purbeck is St Aldhelm’s or St Alban’s head.

To the east, at the end of the peninsula, is the seaside town of Swanage. Continuing round the coast you come to Old Harry’s rocks and then the little village of Studland and its long sandy beach. Along the northern border of the peninsula is Poole Harbour. In the middle of the Isle of Purbeck are the impressive ruins of Corfe Castle with its picturesque village.

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