Isle of Purbeck (Sept 24)

We thought we’d add this to our travel-blog, although strictly speaking this wasn’t a destination we’d chosen to travel per-se, as the main purpose for the trip here was to celebrate the wedding of a couple of Emma’s long standing friends. However, the surrounding area was so gorgeous that we did explore it a little so thought we’d share it on here..

The countryside here is just stunning, and after the wet summer we’ve had meant it is looking green, lush and as English as anywhere on these islands.

We arrived on Friday evening, checked into our room at Kingston Country Courtyard and joined friends and family in the main bar for a meal and some low key party games.

The next day we explored the grounds of the hotel, which has amazing views overlooking both Corfe Castle and the Isle of Wight needles.

St James’s church at Kingston village was great find, and only a few minutes walk from our base. I suspect most people drive past it en-route to one or more of the more famous places in the area.

The church has a lot of history behind it, replacing the old church in the village with its impressive gothic design, which hits you square between the eyes on arrival. Awesome architecture!

We left the church and headed on a circular walk taking in the views of the Purbeck landscape. It is a hiker’s dream, with walks aplenty.

The weekend could not have been better, with the weather playing its part, especially for John and Lin’s wedding which was held outdoors, always a bit risky in the UK.

The Bride and Groom were radiant, and the day was as perfect as it could have been.

The fizz flowed and speeches afterwards had many in tears.

Probably worth noting that the grooms family is related to Emma’s Kids on their father’s side (sharing distant grandparents).

The evening celebration was a blast too with many, no doubt, waking up to sore heads!.

So all in all a wonderful weekend, and an area we will just have to return to explore further but probably out of season as it does get a little busy in the summer months.

We were at the other end of the Jurassic coast a few weeks ago for a festival, so maybe we can double up on our next trip there.