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

What makes Swanage special?

Swanage’s stunning coastal location and proximity to many Jurassic Coast gems is what makes it really special.

Swanage Bay, which sweeps from Ballard Down to the north across to Peveril Point in the south, is protected 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, diving and other watersports.

The weather in Swanage is favourably mild, with few frosts and little snow in the winter. During the summer months, the area draws many thousands of visitors for its traditional British seaside feel, and there are numerous festivals, events and things to do throughout the year, making Swanage a year-round destination for families, couples and individual travellers. If you’re a foodie, music fan, or arts and crafts enthusiast, then Swanage is an excellent base to explore the Isle of Purbeck’s culinary and artisan scene from.

If you can’t visit but wish to see, then there are a number of webcams including the one on the RNLI’s boathouse that gives a great view across the sea to the iconic Jurassic Coast landform Old Harry Rocks.

Welcome to Swanage sign with Purbeck Hills behind

Where is Swanage?

Swanage is located in Dorset, on the south-west coast of England. It lies to the west of Poole Harbour and Bournemouth and to the east of Weymouth. It is the only town on the Isle of Purbeck and is famous for being part of the world-renowned Jurassic Coast.

Getting to Swanage

Arrive by car

There are two main routes into Swanage by car – via Wareham or via 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.

Swanage is also served by the heritage line Swanage Railway, which runs from Norden to Swanage.

From abroad – nearest airports

Bournemouth airport is convenient for Swanage if you are planning to hire a car for your holiday. Southampton Airport has a train that goes straight from the airport (Southampton Airport Parkway) to Swanage’s nearest mainline station, Wareham.

Things to do in and around Swanage

People have been drawn to Swanage for generations because of its location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Dorset AONB) – and especially its beautiful, sandy bay.

Swanage’s Blue Flag beach is one of the town’s main attractions, however there are plenty of other things for visitors of all ages to do both in and around Swanage.

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 parts of the Tilly Whim caves from afar and learn about their history at Durlston Country Park where they are situated. The now fenced off tourist entrance to the cave tunnels can be found along the cliff walk in the park, and the best view of this piece of local history is from the path up toward the Anvil Point lighthouse, where you can look back to see two square-shaped cave entrances and the flat rock ledge above the sea in front of them. Now untouched by human activity, the Tilly Whim caves have become important sanctuaries for colonies of seabirds and bats. The area has long been appreciated for its dramatic scenery: ‘A tremendous sea at times breaks upon the rocks near Durleston Point and Tilly Whim. A visitor on a bright summer’s day, looking upon the tranquil waters idly lapping on the stones below, can scarcely conceive the majesty of the surroundings when, roused by the frenzy of the gale, the sea […]

Kimmeridge Bay

If the Jurassic Coast’s globally-significant geology is what drew you to Dorset, Kimmeridge Bay is the place to visit. Its dramatic cliffs, unique rock formations and abundance of fossils reveal the rich history of this special area of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Kimmeridge Bay is the perfect spot to pick about in rockpools and explore this rugged, fossil-rich part of the Isle of Purbeck. With its calm, shallow waters, the bay is also a popular place for kayaking, snorkelling and windsurfing. Geology The history revealed in the cliffs at Kimmeridge is apparent as soon as you step onto the beach. The striking layers of Kimmeridge Clay reach around the bay. These paleontologically-important cliffs are rich in fossils, ammonites and dinosaur bones. Note, however, that fossil-hunting and the use of hammers is not permitted at Kimmeridge Bay. Fossil museum Combine your trip with a visit to the village’s museum and education centre – The Etches Collection. Learn all about the geology and fossils found in the area, and just how important Kimmeridge Bay is to the story of the Jurassic Coast. The Etches Collection: Museum of Jurassic Marine Life is the first port of call for any fossil enthusiast. Curated […]

Corfe Castle (attraction)

Standing watch over the village of the same name, Corfe Castle is an iconic and striking ruin, synonymous with the Isle of Purbeck. Explore the history hidden in the walls of this famous castle ruin that is over a thousand years old and has survived sieges, treachery and conspiracy. Built on top of a natural mound, or ‘motte’, Corfe Castle would have been ideally situated to defend from all angles. Its name is also believed to have been derived from the ’cutting’, or ‘gap’, between the two Purbeck hills where it is situated (which are also fantastic walking routes). Today, you can soak up the stories of betrayal, battles and bargaining as you walk around the impressive Purbeck stone de fences, gatehouses and baileys of the castle that was once home to royalty – as far back as King Alfred the Great’s time, when he defended the Kingdom of Wessex against the Vikings. Learn how various future kings adapted and upgraded Corfe Castle to suit their defence (as well as interior design) requirements, and walk the path where the the revered young King Edward the Martyr fled after being stabbed in the back by a servant on the order of […]

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 is popular with kayakers and paddle boarders due to its relatively calm, shallow water, and it has increasingly become a popular mooring spot for boats. It also has a designated safe swimming area, café and beach toy hire. South Beach also offers stunning views across to Old Harry Rocks. There is a path that leads up to the iconic chalk stalks directly from the beach – the walk is fairly easy and takes around half an hour. There are also various options nearby for exploring Old Harry Rocks via kayak and horseback. There are also echos of the past – both man-made and natural – here, with a World War II pillbox on the beach itself, next to the unique red and yellow-coloured sandstone of the 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 against each other in […]

East Lulworth

The village of East Lulworth is considerably smaller than neighbouring West Lulworth, but is still worth a stop and explore for its simple charm. Pretty thatched cottages with their colourful window boxes wind their way around the streets of the village, which is home to a pub and a café and gift shop. A short walk or drive from the centre of the village will also bring you to the 17th Century Lulworth Castle, as well as Lulworth Equestrian Centre. Past & Presents café and gift shop Down a little road named Cockles you’ll find the small, but perfectly-formed gift shop and tea room, Past & Presents. Housed in the old village school, this hidden gem sells local artisan crafts, seasonal gifts, items for the garden and home, and delicious home-baked goods. The building first opened as a Catholic school in 1877 and ran until 1968 when a new school opened in larger nearby Wool. After lying empty for many years the school was given a revamp by the Weld family, which owns the Lulworth Estate, and and new lease of life as a shop and tea room. Opening hours and contact details Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm Sunday 11am […]

Swanage Golf Games

Challenge your friends and family to a round of pitch and putt at Swanage Golf Games. Located close to the centre of Swanage at Kirkwood Park, and right by King George’s playground and skate park, Swanage Golf Games is a handy and fun way to spend an hour or two. Set across a 1,000 metre plot, Swanage Golf Games offers traditional pitch and putt as well as more unusual ways to play. Golf games: Pitch & putt – Choose from either a nine or 18-hole game for a fun yet challenging round of golf for both children and adults Footgolf – For something a bit different, take up to six friends around the course with a football each and try to get them in the oversized holes Frisbee Golf – See if you can reach the target in the lowest number of throws There is also the option to play a ‘nine and nine combo’ of two different types of golf games. See what the park looks like in this short video: Facilities A variety of basic refreshments is available for purchase from the reception area. Visitors are also invited to bring in their own snacks and drinks to enjoy at […]

The local area surrounding Swanage

While a week spending time in Swanage can easily keep a family entertained, there are many more activities and places to discover.

Make Swanage your base to explore the hidden gems of the Isle of Purbeck.

Tyneham Beach

Sometimes referred to as Tyneham Beach, this stretch of sand and pebble is most commonly known as Worbarrow Bay. A short walk from the abandoned ghost village of Tyneham, Worbarrow Bay is an untouched stretch of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. The beach only tends to be open at weekends and school holidays as it is located within the British Army’s Lulworth Range training area. Nearby beaches To the east of Worbarrow Bay, on the other side of Worbarrow Tout is a small, enclosed cove called Pondfield Cove. Further east still lies Kimmeridge Bay, interesting for its geological significance, and Chapman’s Pool – a quiet, off-the-beaten-track cove. To the west is the secluded Mupe Bay, and the famous beaches of the Jurassic Coast, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Lulworth and Durdle Door are known for their picturesque nature and geology.

Lulworth Cove

Nestled at the foot of the picturesque village of West Lulworth, Lulworth Cove is one of the most photographed beauty spots in Britain and an important geological area of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. With its distinctive horseshoe shape and being surrounded by stunning cliff walks and rich geological history, a visit to Lulworth Cove makes for a full and memorable day out, with many unique places to explore, including Stair Hole, the Fossil Forest, the Lulworth Crumple and the nearby equally famous Durdle Door. Start your day at Lulworth Cove with a stop at the visitor centre for the lowdown on the fascinating history of this special part of the Jurassic Coast, and for tips on where to explore first You’ll discover plenty of places to grab a quick bite to eat or to laze over a long lunch whilst taking in the incredible views just a short walk from Lulworth Cove. Or, if you’re feeling active, Lulworth Outdoors, situated right by the car park, provides an array of beach-related activities from kayaking to snorkel tours in the cove. Round your day off with an ice cream from one of the various ice cream parlours, or a drink at one of […]

South Beach, Studland

Anvil Point

Home to the Anvil Point Lighthouse, built in the 1800s, the headland of Anvil Point is just one location for stunning seascapes and excellent walking within Durlston Country Park. Comprising part of the Jurassic Coast and the Isle of Purbeck, Anvil Point makes for an interesting explore and a fantastic spot for a quiet picnic overlooking uninterrupted sea views. The lighthouse The lighthouse at Anvil Point serves as a navigation aid and waypoint for vessels passing along the English Channel. It became fully automated in 1991 and its light, which flashes every ten seconds with its rotating lens, reaches nine nautical miles out to sea. The original light would have been a paraffin burner. The twelve-metre-tall lighthouse was built in 1881 from locally-quarried stone stands 45m above sea level. It used to have a fog signal – a small canon – that sounded every five minutes in low-visibility weather conditions, however this was discontinued in the 1980s. The lighthouse at Durlston is occasionally open to the public. Stay at Anvil Point For a unique Swanage stay, complete with breathtaking breakfast views and nature on your doorstep, you can rent one of the two cottages here. Both cottages have panoramic views, on-site parking, […]

Swanage Bay

Swanage is probably most well-known for its superb, sweeping sandy bay, which has been drawing visitors for generations. Being sheltered and with relatively calm waters, Swanage Bay stretches from Ballard Down – the headland to the north – right across to Peveril Point at the south of the bay. 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, diving school, and local sailing and sea rowing clubs. And with its sandy beach with varied sections – from lifeguarded, safe-swimming areas to more rugged areas further from town, and from busy boating areas to the grandeur of the Victorian pier, Swanage Beach and bay make the perfect retreat from the bustle of today’s busy world. The bay is also flanked by a promenade, beach huts, a variety of eateries, gifts shops and amusements, giving Swanage that charm we’ve come to expect and love in a seaside town. Walk along the promenade to discover family-friendly fun to sophisticated ‘grown-up’ dining, and dog-friendly cafés to the traditional British fish and chips at the seaside experience. 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 history. There are various walking routes to Old Harry Rocks from both Swanage and Studland, each offering breathtaking views of this unique rock formation. The white chalk promontory and ‘stacks’ that make up Old Harry rise from the sea between Swanage Bay and Studland Bay at Handfast Point on the headland of Ballard Down. They 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 – three chalk stacks, similar to Old Harry Rocks, which rise from the sea off the island twenty miles away. From certain angles, and depending on where you are in Purbeck you can also see the stack known as Old Harry’s Wife, as well as further stack and a stump to the west of Old Harry known as the Pinnacles. There is also a now-inaccessible chalk ‘island’ known as No Man’s Land, which has become isolated by the sea. The gap between this […]

Kimmeridge Bay

Lulworth Range walks

An intriguing way to explore the Purbeck countryside and Jurassic coastline is via the Lulworth Range walks. The ranges encompass part of the South West Coast Path, and offer some breathtaking views, interesting geology and little-known areas of the Jurassic Coast. With both inland and coastal routes, the Lulworth Range walks open up a wealth of pathways to explore, and include the famous ‘ghost village’ of Tyneham, abandoned in WWII. Situated on land owned by the Ministry of Defence (partially acquired in 1917, and further later on, ahead of D-Day), the ranges are still used by the Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) Gunnery School. As such, the range walks are only open to the public at certain times. For your safety, the MoD requests that walkers adhere to the restrictions and stick to paths as indicated. Typical opening times Both the ranges walks and Tyneham village are generally open at weekends and during school holidays. Live firing range timings can change, so it’s always best to check in advance of visiting: www.gov.uk/government/publications/lulworth-firing-notice You can also call the following number for an automated message on the current firing status: 01929 404714. When the Ranges are closed to the public and training is in […]

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 dune, wetland and woodland habitats backing the stunning sandy beach. With its National Trust café, Discovery Centre, walking trails and beach-side activities, Knoll Beach has everything for an entire day out. Note that, during the summer there is a dedicated swimmers’ area at Knoll Beach, however lifeguards are not on duty at any of Studland Bay‘s beaches. Watersports Knoll Beach offers a range of water-based activities throughout the year round (weather and sea state dependent). Studland Watersports activities Primarily operating in the summer months through to September, and across Easter school holidays, activities at Studland Watersports offers something for the whole family across a range of ages including: Kayaking and paddle boarding Sailing and windsurfing Paddle board yoga sessions Banana Boat rides Studland Watersports also hires out deckchairs and sun loungers in the summer. To find out more check out Studland Watersports’ Facebook page: en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Outdoor-Recreation/Studland-Watersports Contact Studland Watersports: 📞 07980 559143 Summer fun activities If you prefer your beach-side fun to be land-based, there are plenty of other ways to […]

Tyneham village

The poignant story behind the ‘ghost village’ of Tyneham, abandoned during World War II, will stay with you long after you have walked around its crumbling homes and forgotten farmland. Evacuated in 1943 so that the British Army could use the area for training purposes, the village soon fell into disrepair. However the church and school room are still mostly intact, having been carefully restored. Today, you can visit and walk around this village that simply stopped in time, and explore inside the church and school, discovering their history, including the last pages of schoolwork and children’s names still on their pegs. Information is displayed throughout the village about the families that once lived in Tyneham, and what life was like for them in this seemingly idyllic, yet remote spot. Nestled deep within the Purbeck Hills the story of these villagers who never returned and their now deserted homes is an interesting insight into this area’s past. *Note that seven of the buildings are currently cordoned off to the public due to safety concerns. (You can still walk around the outside of most of the buildings). The MoD is investigating whether or not they can be repaired and reopened.* Tyneham’s history […]

Walks & hiking

We are spoilt for choice in Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck with so many wonderful places to explore. To make it easier for you to plan your visit we’ve broken up some of the best walks into handy categories, so you can find the right one for your day out. For stunning scenery Perfect for both shorter walks and packing a picnic and making a day of it, these special spots are a short drive from Swanage and boast some of the most beautiful views to be found in the South of England. Durdle Door – The walk to the iconic limestone arch, synonymous with Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, encompasses beautiful cliff walks and shingle beach. Nearest car park: BH20 5PU Lulworth Cove – This beautiful cove has various walking options, from a village stroll to a hike up to Durdle Door or exploring the cliff walks of the Lulworth Ranges. Park in West Lulworth: BH20 5RQ Old Harry Rocks – One of the Jurassic Coast‘s most famous landmarks is a gentle half-hour walk from Studland village. Park at South Beach Car Park: BH19 3AU Swyre Head – Despite being the highest point in Purbeck, the walk to Swyre Head is mostly flat. With breathtaking views […]

Swyre Head

Standing proudly as the highest point of Purbeck, you can walk to Swyre Head from various locations. You’ll be treated to commanding views across to Portland and over to Kimmeridge, where Clavell Tower can be seen on a clear day. Swyre Head is classified as a Marilyn – a hill whose peak or prominence is 150 metres above everything else in its immediate vicinity, or in other words, which has a drop of 150 metres on all sides. The term Marilyn was first coined by ‘hill-bagger’ Alan Dawson, in his 1992 book The Relative Hills of Britain. Dawson compiled a list of such peaks, and said the name was inspired after the list of mountains known as the Munros. According to the Relative Hills Society there are 1,557 Marilyns in the UK. The Hill Bagging website has the most up-to-date list of Britain’s Marilyns, which many hillwalkers set themselves the task of attempting to complete them all – or at least 600 of them, which enters the participant into the Marilyn Hall of Fame: www.hill-bagging.co.uk/Marilyns.php Tumulus Climbing the tumulus at Swyre Head will give an even more panoramic perspective of the area, at 208 metres above sea level. It is thought that this is in […]