I saw this on the side of the road next to a tree. It was pretty big and quite an unusual shape! There was a smaller one just behind it. I've never seen a fungus like this so thought I'd snap a pic.
Looks like an old and worm eaten bolete. You mentioned it was purple? Try squishing it a little and see if it changes color when you do that, it would be a useful in IDing it
Worm eaten Suillus Variegatus?
You could be right! I should add that this was found in the UK, Midlands. Looks like it has a purple-y interior where it has been split/eaten in the middle
At a glance, it looks like a bolete, but that's a little bit of a more advanced identification than I feel comfortable with.
Possibly X. subtomentosus, based on the cracks on the cap. What kind of tree was it found next to?
I'll have a look at the tree later and get back to you!
So I think it's a crab apple tree :)