Route Name: Blue Route - Pigs and Piddle

Length: 3.25 miles
Grade: Easy
Duration: 1h - 2h
Download Route as GPX file
Print Way Finder Card
DescriptionSpend a couple hours walking one of the routes in between the rivers Frome and Piddle. The rivers Frome and Piddle flow through Wareham into Poole Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Before Poole Harbour became the busy port of today, Wareham Quay was the main place for trading. The Frome carried all sorts of goods to and from Wareham including leather, salt, corn and clay pipes. Wareham Quay is still used for trading as it hosts the Saturday market. It is also a popular place for fishing, rowing boats or simply watching the rippling river flow by. Following the walks - we have suggested two circular routes for you to follow, which start at Wareham Quay. The Blue Route and the Pink Route. You can walk in either direction, following footpaths and quiet roads. Look out for the lapwing logo or Two Rivers Walks signposts showing you which way to go. The Blue Route (Pigs and Piddle) is 3¼ miles or 5.25km. It will take approximately 1¾ hours to walk. Follow quiet roads and farm tracks to Swineham. In old English, Swineham means ‘where the swine are kept’. There are no pigs here now, but the saltmarshes, reedbeds and mudflats of Poole Harbour stretch out before you. The route then travels through grassland and later woodland, back into Wareham past Wareham Walls.
Steps
  1. (1) Start the blue route (Pigs and Piddle route) or pink route (Frome to the Piddle route) at Wareham Quay.
  2. (2) Walk towards Lady St Mary Church which is located behind the Old Granary pub and follow the footpath between the houses.
  3. (3) At Church Green turn right towards the Church.
  4. (4) Turn left onto Church Street.
  5. (5) Turn right onto Church Lane.
  6. (6) Turn left.
  7. (7) Turn right into Conniger Lane.
  8. (8) If you're following the Pigs and Piddle route turn right here and continue onto point 9. If you're following the Frome to the Piddle route, turn left here and follow the road until you reach Bestwall Road. Crossover the road and pick up the route from point 57.
  9. (9) Before you reach the gate turn left.
  10. (10) Turn right over a wooden footbridge.
  11. (11) As the path splits, turn left towards the houses.
  12. (12) Follow the path behind the houses.
  13. (13) Follow the path behind the houses.
  14. (14) Follow the path behind the houses.
  15. (15) Follow the path behind the houses.
  16. (16) Turn left.
  17. (17) Turn right onto Bestwall Road.
  18. (18) Follow Bestwall Road until the end.
  19. (19) Pass the entrance to the Rugby Club and a house called Curlews.
  20. (20) Follow Bestwall Road until the end.
  21. (21) Follow Bestwall Road until the end.
  22. (22) Follow Bestwall Road until the end.
  23. (23) Continue straight on through a gate onto a footpath.
  24. (24) Continue straight on until the path turns right.
  25. (25) Continue straight on until the path turns right.
  26. (26) Continue straight on until the path turns right.
  27. (27) Continue straight on until the path turns right.
  28. (28) Continue straight on until the path turns right.
  29. (29) Continue straight on until the path turns right.
  30. (30) Continue straight on until the path turns right.
  31. (31) Turn right towards the river.
  32. (32) At the boat mooring turn left.
  33. (33) Continue straight on until the paths turns left.
  34. (34) Continue straight on until the paths turns left.
  35. (35) Turn left.
  36. (36) Continue straight on until the paths turns left.
  37. (37) Continue straight on until the paths turns left.
  38. (38) Turn left.
  39. (39) Turn right.
  40. (40) Turn left and pass through a gate.
  41. (41) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees.
  42. (42) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees.
  43. (43) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees.
  44. (44) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees.
  45. (45) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees.
  46. (46) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees.
  47. (47) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees.
  48. (48) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees.
  49. (49) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees.
  50. (50) Follow the footpath across the field near to the edge of the trees. Look out for a gate with a wooden signpost on your right.
  51. (51) Pass through the gate and turn left.
  52. (52) Follow the track.
  53. (53) Follow the track.
  54. (54) Follow the track. You'll pass a house on your left.
  55. (55) Turn left onto North Bestwall Road. You'll see Wareham Walls on your right.
  56. (56) Go straight ahead
  57. (57) If you want to finish this route and return to Wareham Quay. Cross the road and follow East Walls Road back to the churchyard and follow the signposts to Wareham Quay. To join the Frome to the Piddle route and walk another 2 miles, do a u-turn and walk up onto the Wareham Walls (the raised bank on your right). The information board here tells you more about Wareham Walls.
  58. (58) Continue straight on.
  59. (59) Continue straight on.
  60. (60) Continue straight on.
  61. (61) Continue straight on.
  62. (62) Continue straight on.
  63. (63) Follow the footpath straight, turning slightly left.
  64. (64) Continue straight on.
  65. (65) Turn left.
  66. (66) Turn left towards the road.
  67. (67) Turn right and follow the road until the end.
  68. (68) Continue straight on.
  69. (69) Continue straight on.
  70. (70) Turn right.
  71. (71) Turn left at the zebra crossing and cross the road when safe to do so.
  72. (72) Turn left.
  73. (73) Turn right and walk up the road.
  74. (74) Continue straight on.
  75. (75) Turn right following the black and white signpost. The information board here tells you more about Wareham Walls.
  76. (76) Continue straight on.
  77. (77) Continue straight on.
  78. (78) Turn left before you reach the bridge.
  79. (79) Follow the footpath next to the river.
  80. (80) Continue straight on.
  81. (81) Continue straight on.
  82. (82) Continue straight on.
  83. (83) Continue straight on.
  84. (84) Continue straight on.
  85. (85) Go through the gate and follow the footpath next to the river.
  86. (86) Continue straight on.
  87. (87) Continue straight on.
  88. (88) Continue straight on.
  89. (89) Continue straight on.
  90. (90) Continue straight on.
  91. (91) Continue straight on.
  92. (92) Go through the gate on your right.
  93. (93) Follow the path through a tunnel underneath the road.
  94. (94) Continue straight on.
  95. (95) Go through a gate.
  96. (96) Follow the footpath to the left next to the river.
  97. (97) Continue straight on.
  98. (98) Continue straight on.
  99. (99) Turn left towards the farm track.
  100. (100) Follow the farm track straight on, not towards the farm house.
  101. (101) Continue straight on.
  102. (102) Follow the path through the tunnel underneath the road.
  103. (103) Continue straight on.
  104. (104) Continue straight on.
  105. (105) At the small car park turn left, following the edge of the car park.
  106. (106) Follow the footpath at the edge of the trees on your right.
  107. (107) Turn right and follow the footpath next to the trees on your right.
  108. (108) Follow the path next to the trees until the path forks. Turn right.
  109. (109) Go through a gate and follow the path up some steps onto the top of Wareham Walls in front of you.
  110. (110). Admire the view on your left before turning right. Follow the path on top of the Wareham Walls.
  111. (111) Go down the grass bank, cross the road and back up the grass bank on the other side.
  112. (112) At the road, turn diagonally left and cross the road into Pound Lane. Follow the road until the end.
  113. (113) Continue straight on.
  114. (114) Continue straight on.
  115. (115) Continue straight on.
  116. (116) At the end of Pound Lane turn right onto South Street.
  117. (117) You are now back opposite your starting point at Wareham Quay.

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Free AdmissionFree

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.