As a visitor, Wareham is an interesting place to visit. It is pre Viking and used to be a busy port on the River Stour. Now the Quay is primarily a car park to restaurants and the parish Church. Wareham is known as the gateway to the Purbecks.
The parish church of Lady St Mary's lies about 150m from the river. It is really quite beautful, with many ornate stainglassed windows, a large porch and a wonderful chancel.
The churchyard contains the graves of many landed families, and until relatively recently, there was a feudal system in Wareham and the Purbecks.
To the north and south of Wareham lie tidal watermeadows, which give away it's proximity to the sea. Wild flora grow here in abundance.
Near the river to the west is Wareham Manor, and to the south, near the chuch some pubs and restaurants.
Wareham is great for boutiquey shops, clothes, arts, and other specialities. It is interesting to browse them.
There is a Norman church on the North Wall on North St, St Martin's. This is interesting for it's tremendous age, and it is here that the remains of Edward the Martyr lay, until they were removed to Shaftebury, after being murdered by his stepmother at Corfe Castle.
Wareham was a walled town and these are best seen from the north and west. Not stone walls, but the mounding of earth, reinforced with stone.
Dinghy's can be hired at the River Stour for some rowing along the river, and there is quite a bit of fishing at the Stour as well as the Trent, just north of Wareham, outside the wall. To the east side of the bridge is a weir and it is very pleasant just to stand and watch the fish and birdlife.
There is golf near the town, some caravan sites, but mostly it's the oldness of buildings that give this town it's charm. read more
