Purbeck, district (1991 pop. 42,600), Dorset, England. Purbeck is filled with the clays of the Hampshire Basin, and is therefore largely infertile. Some minor farming occurs on the chalk plateaus and ridges in the northern and southern extremities of the district. Purbeck is drained by the Trent and Frome rivers. Wareham and Swanage are the main towns of the area. Marble quarrying, oil-field work, and nuclear power plant operation comprise Purbeck's economic activities. The region was once thought to be infested with smugglers, who could easily hide in its forests and on its ridges. Poole Harbour attracts many boaters, while the district's varied strata appeals to geologists. Purbeck gets its name from the ancient Isle of Purbeck.

Purbeck, Isle of, peninsula, c.12 mi (20 km) long and c.8 mi (13 km) wide, Dorset, S England, between Poole Harbour and the English Channel. St. Albans Head is the most southerly point of the rocky shore. Ranges of chalk hills cross the peninsula from east to west. The region is noted for the production of Purbeck marble and china clay. Purbeck was a favorite hunting ground of Saxon and Norman kings. The larger district of Purbeck was named after this peninsula.

Purbeck may refer to:

• Isle of Purbeck, a peninsula in the English county of Dorset
• Purbeck (district), a local government district in the English county of Dorset
• Purbeck Hills, a range of hills in the English county of Dorset
• Purbeck Marble, a stone found on the Isle of Purbeck
• Purbeck Ball Clay, a ball clay found on the Isle of Purbeck