New Clay Trail proves a hit with visitors

A new clay trail woodland path - celebrating the Isle of Purbeck’s fascinating 2000-year old industrial heritage - has opened next to the Purbeck Mining Museum and Norden station, north of Corfe Castle.

Aimed at families, dog walkers and nature lovers – and developed through a vibrant partnership of organisations and volunteers - the productive community project has been supported, in part, through heathland mitigation funding from Dorset Council.

With picnic tables, benches and viewpoints, the project has opened up the Blackwater woods, on the site of an historic 19th century ball clay pit, which has created a further attraction for visitors to the Swanage Railway and the Purbeck Mining Museum.

The new one-mile long clay trail has also enabled the Purbeck Mining Museum to create an educational walk through the woodland with informative interpretation boards installed at various points along the path.
Located next to Norden station – on the heritage Swanage Railway – the Purbeck Mining Museum and Dorset Council’s Purbeck Park car park, the new trail gives visitors, and local people, the chance to discover how the mining of ball clay, first undertaken by the Romans, helped to shape the area, its industry and its economy.

The route also forms part of the Purbeck Mining Museum’s continuing education work to preserve and share the areas industrial heritage which played a significant role in the development of Dorset’s economy and communities.

It is hoped that the one-mile woodland path will help to reduce the pressure of visitors on the Isle of Purbeck’s internationally important heathlands and support efforts to protect rare wildlife and sensitive habitats. Along the route of the new clay trail, visitors can learn from interpretation boards about the work of the Dorset Heath Partnership and Dorset Dogs – highlighting how everyone can play their part in caring for Dorset’s natural environment.

Officially opening the new clay trail on Saturday, 19 September, 2026, Dorset Council councillor Beryl Ezzard, who represents the Wareham ward, said: “I am delighted because having been involved with the project from its earliest stages, it is wonderful to see it completed and ready for people to enjoy.

"As someone who grew up in Corfe Castle, I have always had a strong interest in both our local natural environment and the industrial heritage that helped shape Purbeck. This trail brings those stories together in a way that is engaging and accessible for residents and visitors alike.

"It offers people a chance to learn about the area's important clay mining history, enjoy the landscape and support the protection of our internationally important heathlands. It is a great example of how we can celebrate our heritage while looking after the natural environment for future generations,” she added.
Construction of the new woodland path has been challenging in a densely and heavily overgrown clay pit that has remained untouched for more than a century.

Initial environmental and feasibility studies were undertaken the spring of 2023 with construction of the northern part of the path starting in the winter of 2023 and the first viewpoint and path opening in the summer of 2025. The more challenging southern route - which incorporates a footbridge - was completed and opened in July, 2026.

Purbeck Mining Museum chairman Peter Sills said: “A unique environment has been created throughout the woodland that has remained relatively untouched from the long abandoned clay workings.
“I would like to thank the funders of the new clay trail woodland path – especially Jade North, Dorset Council’s heathland mitigation officer, as well as the dedicated and committed Purbeck Mining Museum volunteers and the local contractors and suppliers who made this important project happen.

“This has been a truly local project with all materials and contractors used coming from a five-mile radius of the Purbeck Mining Museum at Norden. The funding has covered the construction and maintenance of the clay trail path for ten years.

“I would like to acknowledge the foresight of the volunteers who purchased the 20 acres of land more than 20 years ago for the benefit of visitors to the Purbeck Mining Museum. The new clay trail reflects the Swanage Railway Trust charity’s emphasis on education,” added Peter who has been a Swanage Railway volunteer for more than 25 years.

Thanks to the displays and exhibits in the Purbeck Mining Museum – next to Norden station – visitors can experience the excitement and fascination of a recreated clay mine tunnel and learn more about the history of the industrial narrow gauge railways that once served the ball clay industry.

No pre-booking is required for visiting the Purbeck Mining Museum which offers children’s activities including the Clay Mine Super Sleuth Trail for youngsters aged nine to 13, the Count the Norden Nippers family challenge and The Norden Nippers Go To Sea picture trail for younger visitors.

Located half a mile west of the village of Corfe Castle, the Purbeck Mining Museum is accessible by local bus services and a footpath from Corfe Castle as well as by the Swanage Railway.

Some sections of the new ball clay trail woodland path may be unsuitable for visitors with mobility challenges due to the topography of the area.

More information about the new trail, and the Purbeck Mining Museum, can be found at purbeckminingmuseum.org or the Heritage Open Days website at heritageopendays.org.uk.

Andrew PM Wright