Swanage.co.uk | Swanage Tourist Information and Local Guide

What makes Swanage really special?

Swanage’s stunning coastal location is what makes it really special. Swanage Bay sweeps from the Old Harry Rocks to the north, round to Peveril Point in the south. It faces east and is protected by Peveril Point from major southwesterly storms, while the Isle of Wight provides a degree of shelter from easterly storms. As such, the bay is ideal for swimming, sailing, fishing, diving and other watersports.

The weather in Swanage is favourably mild, with few frosts and little snow in the winter. During the summer months, there’s usually a pleasant breeze to cool the hottest of days. If you can’t visit but wish to see, then there are a number of Swanage webcams including the one on the RNLI’s boathouse that gives a great view across the sea to the Old Harry Rocks.

Welcome to Swanage sign with Purbeck Hills behind

Where is Swanage?

Swanage is located on the south coast of England in Dorset. It lies to the west of Poole Harbour and Bournemouth and to the east of Weymouth. From Dorchester, it’s a 25-mile drive in a southeast direction. It’s on the Isle of Purbeck and famous for being part of the Jurassic Coast.

Arrive by car

The most flexible way to arrive is by car but in the summer months, the roads are very busy and so it’s best to avoid traveling at peak times. There are two directions to get to Swanage by car, either via Wareham or take the Sandbanks Ferry from Poole to Studland.

Buses, taxis and Wareham Railway Station

Buses run from Poole, Bournemouth and Weymouth and you can also get a bus or taxi from Wareham Railway station – Swanage’s nearest mainline station. There is also the Swanage Railway, but as a heritage line, it only currently runs from Norden to Swanage.

The local area surrounding Swanage

While a week spending time in Swanage can easily keep a family entertained, there’s so many more activities and places to see across the Isle of Purbeck. Lots of local residents say they still have plenty of things left to do on their wish list.

Chapman’s Pool

If your idea of a dream day at the beach involves a wild, secluded bay where you can wile away the hours watching the odd passing boat and reading a good book, Chapman’s Pool is hard to beat. It’s a bit of a walk to get to, so little legs and four-legged friends might struggle, and we’d advise wearing a good pair of walking boots or trainers. Worth Matravers is the closest village, where you can warm up at the Square and Compass with a pasty and pint by the log fire after a blustery day or cool off with a cider in the beer garden in the summer.

Corfe Castle railway station

Whether or not you’re taking a trip on a Swanage Railway steam train, Corfe Castle station itself is well worth a visit, for its vintage charm and picture-postcard photo opportunities. Once almost demolished, the original 1885 station building has now been restored to its former glory and is a timeless feature of both Corfe Castle village and Swanage Railway. Arriving into Corfe by steam train is also the way to travel in style from Swanage or from the park-and-ride at Norden for a day out exploring Corfe Castle itself, and guaranteed to make your visit truly historic. Step back in time at Corfe Castle station Station Master’s office Meet the volunteers dressed in traditional station staff outfits and see inside the 1950s Station Master’s office and lounge area. A porter can show you around and introduce you the station’s historic features, as well as give you handy travel information. Ladies’ waiting area The fully restored Ladies’ waiting room evokes a time gone by and is complete with period paraphernalia throughout. Swanage Railway museum The Swanage Railway line has a huge team of dedicated volunteers who worked for thirty years to save and rebuild the branch after it faced closure in the 1970s […]

Isle of Purbeck

Not strictly an isle, but a peninsula, the Isle of Purbeck is home to a diverse array of wildlife, intriguing historical sites and areas of global geological importance. It has inspired famous writers, attracted historians and drawn holidaymakers for generations. But what is it that makes this corner of Dorset so special? With its stunning sandy beaches, huge variety of walks and fantastic places to eat, shop and explore, anywhere in Purbeck is a unique experience waiting to be discovered. Purbeck’s most famous landmarks The Isle of Purbeck has many well-known and iconic landmarks that draw thousands of visitors every year. Corfe Castle – Combine a visit to Corfe Castle with an amble around the picturesque Corfe Castle village Durdle Door – This special beauty spot also has fantastic walking trails nearby Jurassic Coast – With so many different aspects to explore you’ll be spoilt for choice Lulworth Cove – A beautiful backdrop for walks, picnics at the foot of the pretty village of West Lulworth Old Harry Rocks – The commanding views of the chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks and nearby The Pinnacles are one of the most photographed areas of the Dorset coastline Studland Bay – With four […]

Lulworth

The picture-postcard villages of East and West Lulworth are just as worthy of a visit as the famous Lulworth Cove. Both villages have pretty streets to walk around, with thatched cottages and window boxes galore. The village of East Lulworth is considerably smaller than West Lulworth, but is also home to Lulworth Castle and Park, which makes for a fantastic family day out. It also has a pub, tea room and gift shop. West Lulworth has a distinct holiday buzz about it as it tends to be brimming with beach-related activity all year around. There are plenty of ice cream shops and places to grab lunch or dinner, as well as the chance to try out various water sports at Lulworth Outdoors. Make your visit memorable As with many places in Purbeck one day just isn’t enough, but you can fit in lots of Lulworth’s best bits in one go if you plan ahead a little. If you’re driving, stop off in East Lulworth for a quick mooch around the village with its charming thatched cottages and colourful window boxes. Down a little road named Cockles is a small gift shop and tea room set in the old village school […]

Arne village

Just outside the market town of Wareham, the small village of Arne came from humble beginnings, and is known more for its proximity to the RSPB Nature Reserve. However, Arne has an intriguing World War II story attached to it that not many people know about. A Royal Navy explosives factory had been built at nearby Holton Heath during WWI, but fast forward to 1942 and this Cordite factory had become a target. Decoys were set up throughout and around Arne village, complete with guards and fake factory emissions, causing German bombers to mistake the area for the factory. Arne was badly bombed and the area devastated by the subsequent fire that burned for weeks. It is believed there are some 200 bomb craters around Arne village, which had essentially been sacrificed in order to leave the factory in Holton Heath unscathed. The plan was a success, but residents were forced to leave Arne, much like with the more well-known local ghost village of Tyneham. Arne was then left untouched for several years. However, there is now a small, but thriving community enjoying the now peaceful countryside that is teeming with wildlife. It’s definitely a special place to visit if […]

Anvil Point

Home to the Anvil Point Lighthouse, built in the 1800s, this is just one location for stunning seascapes and excellent walking within Durlston Country Park. For a more unusual Swanage stay, complete with breathtaking breakfast views and nature on your doorstep, you can rent one of the cottages here.

Things to do in and around Swanage

Both residents and visitors are drawn to Swanage because of its natural beauty and its outstanding sandy bay. Swanage Beach is one of its main attractions and the council-owned central beach has been awarded a Blue Flag, meaning that it meets high standards for its water quality, beach cleanliness, safety and services. However there’s plenty for everyone of all ages to do, in addition to enjoying a day on the beach.

Corfe Castle railway station

Purbeck Breezer bus routes

There are two main bus routes serving Swanage – from Poole and from Bournemouth. There is also a seasonal (summer) bus running to and from Weymouth. No. 50 Swanage – Bournemouth Travel in style to and from Bournemouth on an open top bus. The No.50 Purbeck Breezer goes from Swanage Station; down Shore Road, with stunning views across Swanage Bay; around the edge of the Purbeck Hills and across the Sandbanks Ferry to Bournemouth. Note that the open-top element is weather dependent. Journey time: around an hour Check the Bournemouth to Swanage bus timetable on the MoreBus website: https://www.morebus.co.uk/services/SQ/50 No. 40 Swanage – Poole The No. 40 bus is a direct route to and form Poole bus station and Swanage bus station, with stops at many interesting towns and villages along the way in Purbeck, including Langton Matravers, Worth Matravers, Kingston and Wareham. Journey time: 1 hour 15 mins Check the Poole to Swanage bus timetable: https://www.morebus.co.uk/services/SQ/40 No. 30 Swanage – Weymouth Running during summer months only, the No.30 route is a convenient way to explore parts of the Jurassic Coast further afield. Notable stops on this route include Lulworth Cove Durdle Door Dorchester Corfe Castle (also via the No.40) Wareham […]

Tilly Whim caves

These caves are what is left over after the area was used to quarry Purbeck stone in the 1800s. Once open to the public, they are now closed due to safety reasons but you can see the Tilly Whim Caves and learn about their history at Durlston Country Park where they are situated. The caves have become important sanctuaries for colonies of seabirds and bats. You can visit Durlston Country Park to watch the resident guillemot colony, or check in with their live webcams to see how they and other resident and migratory wildlife are doing.

Knoll Beach

Knoll Beach is the largest and most well-known beach at Studland Bay. Popular with families and watersports enthusiasts, Knoll Beach is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, with its sand dunes and woodland habitats backing the stunning sandy beach. With its National Trust cafe, discovery centre, walking trails and beach-side activities, Knoll Beach has everything for an entire day out. Watersports Knoll Beach is abuzz with a range of water-based activities all year round (weather and sea state dependent). Activities include Kayaking Paddle boarding Sailing Paddle board yoga Windsurfing Waterbikes Food, shopping and facilities There is a National Shop tea room and gift shop, as well as toilet facilities right by the car park. The shop sells seasonal gifts, as well as outdoor and walking equipment for you and your dog, children’s toys, books and sustainable homewares. Dogs at Knoll Beach Dogs are welcome all year round, but must be kept on a lead from May to September. They are also welcome in the outdoor seating area of the cafe. How to get to Knoll Beach Knoll Beach is situated down Hardys Road, just off Ferry Road in Studland. By car For your SatNav: BH19 3AH From Swanage […]

Old Harry Rocks

One of the most iconic landforms on the South Coast – Old Harry Rocks – is just a stone’s throw from Swanage and an important feature of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. There are various walking routes from both Swanage and Studland, each offering breathtaking views of this unique rock formation. The white chalk ‘stacks’ that make up Old Harry rise from the sea between Swanage Bay and Studland Bay at Handfast Point and were once part of a chalk ridge that connected to The Needles on the Isle of Wight. On a clear day you can stand up on the cliff and see across to The Needles – and back in time when 65 million years ago these incredible landforms were created. Legends in the landscape – who was Old Harry? If you’ve been to see Agglestone Rock, you’ll be familiar with the local legend associated with the devil – and Old Harry Rocks has its own. ‘Old Harry’ is in fact an old name for the devil himself and one story claims that he used the rocks as a place to sit and have a snooze. Another fable tells of a shipwrecked Viking who, during a fierce storm, was cast […]

Swanage Bay

Swanage is probably most well-known for its superb, sweeping sandy bay. Being sheltered and with relatively calm waters, Swanage Bay has been popular with locals and visitors alike for generations. The bay stretches from the Ballard Down headland to the north, right across to Peveril Point to the south. Swanage Bay has both lively sections as well as more secluded spots, meaning there is something for everyone. The bay also serves as a vibrant hub for watersports, with a boat park; boat and kayak hire; a diving school; and local sailing and sea rowing clubs. The bay is also flanked by a variety of eateries, gifts shops and amusements. Walk along the promenade to find the right place for you – from family-friendly fun to sophisticated ‘grown-up’ dining; and from dog-friendly cafés to the traditional British fish and chips-at-the-seaside experience. Swanage Bay watersports Boat and watercraft users are required to follow local regulations. This means observing the 5-knot buoy area from 15 March to 30 September. Watercraft can be launched safely at the boat park located at Peveril Point. This launch area is located just off Broad Road, next to the car park. Dinghies and other small craft that are […]

South Beach, Studland

If you love Studland’s beaches but would prefer a more ‘local’ vibe head to South Beach. It still benefits from the safe, shallow waters that Knoll Beach offers, but it’s a little more secluded and rugged. South Beach also offers stunning views across to Old Harry Rocks. There is a path that leads up to the iconic chalk stalks direct from the beach – it’s fairly easy and takes around half an hour. There are also various options for exploring Old Harry Rocks via kayak and horseback. South Beach is popular with kayakers and paddle boarders due to its relatively calm, shallow water. It also has a designated safe swimming area. There are also echos of the past – both man-made and natural – with a World War II pillbox on the beach itself and unique red and yellow-coloured sandstone cliffs. This family-friendly beach has attracted both visitors and locals alike for many years – in fact, it used to be home to an annual August regatta where locals and visitors competed in rowing and sailing races, as well as tug-of-war games – with the winners being treated to a free pint at the local pub. Food and facilities Joe’s […]

Dog-friendly beaches

Dorset is a dog-loving county and welcomes four-legged visitors to most beaches, cafes, pubs and restaurants. However, while a few beaches in and around Swanage and Purbeck allow dogs all year round it’s good to know that most beaches have a restriction on certain beaches, or sections of beach, between 1 May and 30 September. We’ve compiled a handy reference guide for your pooch to help you pick the best beach for a day of frolicking in the water: All year round Monkey Beach, Swanage North Beach, Swanage Durdle Door Man O’ War Bay Warbarrow Bay Kimmeridge Bay Lulworth Cove May – September on a lead Knoll Beach, Studland South Beach, Studland Middle Beach, Studland Shell Bay, Studland May – September ban Central Beach, Swanage

The Downs

The undulating green folds of land of The Downs are popular with local dog walkers and bird-watchers. You’ll rarely bump into other people and there are plenty of places to roam and take in the exceptional views over Swanage and across the bay. If you’re feeling particularly energetic you can walk from The Downs over the hills to Durlston. You’ll walk through farmland, encounter butterfly-filled meadows till the lighthouse at Anvil Point comes into view. Circle back the way you came or continue on through Durlston Country Park and down into Swanage town.

Swyre Head

Standing proudly as the highest in Purbeck, you can walk to Swyre Head from various locations. For the best family-friendly route, drive through the charming village of Kingston and you will find a small car park at the end of West Street. You’ll be treated to commanding views across to Portland and down over the valley which is home to the historic Encombe Estate. If you’re looking to make a day of it, we recommend booking a table for lunch at the Scott Arms, which you will pass on the way, as it can get very busy. There is a generous amount of outdoor seating with stunning views of Corfe Castle, indoor nooks and crannies with log fires, and in the summer the Jerk Shack – a Caribbean-inspired outdoor menu. Top tip: sheep tend to be grazed in the fields around Swyre Head so it’s best to keep your dog on a lead.

RSPB Arne nature reserve

The RSPB nature reserve at Arne is perfect for either a short stroll through the woodland or a full day out walking and exploring. You can discover stunning expanses of rugged heathland and even small bays of Poole Harbour with views across to the Purbeck Hills and Brownsea Island. The resident herd of sika deer can be seen grazing in the field as you walk by, or may even roam onto the path as they are used to humans here. There is also a plethora of other wildlife on the reserve and if you’re not a seasoned ornithologist or would like to know more about hedgehogs, mushrooms or sand lizards, the RSPB team hold regular interactive events and guided walks. A visitor centre and cafe for coffees, cakes and light lunches can be found a short walk from the car park. How to get to Arne For your SatNav: BH20 5BJ From Swanage Follow the A351 from Swanage until you reach Soldiers Road (past Norden and just opposite the Halfway Inn pub). Turn right and continue until you reach Arne Road. Take a right here and RSPB Arne will be just down the road. From Wareham If you’re coming from […]

Man O’ War Bay

The smaller of Durdle Door’s two beaches, Man O’ War Bay, is an enclosed cove, perfect for picnicking. As with Durdle Door, this beach can get very busy in peak seasons. There is also a fair walk from the car park, along with steps down to the beach, so may not be suitable for the littlest legs.