A warm welcome awaits at your clifftop hotel, cosy coastal cottage or traditional countryside campsite.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape for two, a classic seaside holiday for all the family – including the dog – there’s something to suit every budget and need.
Choose from holiday parks in the centre of Swanage, right by the beach to luxury boutique hotels for a holiday to remember. Book a manor house to share with a larger group or a budget campsite or hostel right by the town’s pubs, shops and restaurants.
Just outside Swanage, discover accommodation options in quaint villages dotted around the Purbeck countryside, as well as campsites on farms and unique stays with a difference, including old follys and even a lighthouse.
With just five pitches you’re guaranteed a nature-filled break away from the madding crowd, and you can easily get out into the countryside with walking paths direct from the campsite.
Purbeck Ridgeway views (picture credit: North View Campsite)
The Caravan & Motorhome Club site is the sister site of Quarr Camping across the road.
Handily located just off the Valley Road, you’re easily connected to Swanage and Corfe Castle, whilst being surrounded by rolling countryside.
(picture credit: North View Campsite)
There are two convenience stores (a Spar and a Londis within petrol stations) nearby, where you can find various food, drink and camping essentials. Corfe has four pubs, a village shop and bakery, and Swanage has two supermarkets and a range of shops, eateries and beach-side activities.
Facilities at the site include drinking water and Elsan Points, however there are no toilets or showers.
North View Campsite is dog-friendly and open year-round (unless very heavy rain), and there’s various dog-friendly beaches in the vicinity.
For further information and booking contact North View direct:
📞 07540 845705
📥 northviewcamping@gmail.com
Location
📍Harman’s Cross, Swanage BH19 3DY
Conveniently located off the A351, you’ll find North View Campsite on your left as you leave Harman’s Cross toward Swanage, just before St Michael’s Garage.
North View Campsite location (image credit: Google Maps)
This family-run campsite has everything you need for a traditional rural camping experience in the Purbeck countryside.
Situated between the picturesque village of Corfe Castle and the bustling seaside town of Swanage, Purbeck Valley Farm Campsite is ideally located for exploring everything the Isle of Purbeck has to offer.
Views toward Corfe Castle (picture credit: Purbeck Valley Farm)
The campsite welcomes tents and campervans and can accommodate extra requests – simply send a note with your enquiry form.
There’s play equipment for children and a visiting pizza van, and often farm-produced burgers and sausages available.
You’ll find various footpaths and cycleways into the countryside direct from the campsite, and just a short drive away are the sandy beaches of Swanage and Studland Bay.
Nearby in Harman’s Cross is a Spar shop & petrol station, and Corfe has a village shop and various eateries.
Right outside Purbeck Valley Farm Campsite is a bus stop, where you can pick up the seasonal No.30 Jurassic Breezer bus. This will take you into Swanage as well as Corfe Castle, Wareham and further afield to beauty spots such as Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Find the timetable online: www.morebus.co.uk/services/WDBC/30
Horses are welcome by arrangement – the site has direct access to the Purbeck Bridleway network, hills and forest.
Purbeck Valley Farm is the perfect place for a rustic, rural wedding, with its striking countryside views toward Corfe Castle and flanked by the dramatic Purbeck Hills.
The farm is licensed to carry out ceremonies and has a range of barns, marquees and a spacious field for you to choose from in which to hold your reception.
A rustic Purbeck wedding
Decorated marquee
(picture credit: Purbeck Valley Farm)
Your special day can be tailored to your needs and the team are only too happy to help add a bit of magic with the addition of decoration, hay bales and tractor-trailers.
Members of your wedding party can also make use of the on-site accommodation, which includes the farm’s self-catering rooms and shepherd huts.
If your dream wedding day is all about being in nature surrounded by your friends and family, get in touch with Purbeck Valley Farm to discuss your requirements.
For real, old-world charm and character in the heart of Swanage town, the Purbeck House Hotel is hard to beat.
Once a private Victorian residence, the hotel now boasts 18 rooms all maintaining that traditional country house atmosphere, some of which have sea views, as well as an additional garden lodge with 20 modern bedrooms.
The Purbeck House Hotel
Lavender-lined path
Fresh towels on king-size bed
Outdoor seating areas
The Purbeck House hotel has a charming three-acre garden where you can take a stroll or sit out on the terrace or lawn with your morning coffee or evening drink.
The friendly staff here are always on hand to answer any queries and the hotel won the category of Best Family Business in the 2023 Purbeck Business Awards.
Just along High Street, where Purbeck House Hotel is situated, you’ll find a range of great places to eat – try The Black Swan, Love Cake or the Red Lion pub for excellent lunch, dinner and afternoon tea, or to sample some local beers.
The rest of Swanage’s amenities are conveniently located just a stone’s throw from your door and the beach is just a five-minute walk away.
After exploring Swanage and the surrounding area, relax with a drink in the hotel’s Bar 1875 or its Thomas Hardy Lounge, which overlooks the gardens. Bar 1975 is also open to members of the public.
In the morning, after a good night’s sleep, enjoy breakfast in the garden conservatory.
Accommodation
Stay in the main house for a more traditional experience, or the more modern Louisa Lodge, which has dedicated family rooms.
Each room comes equipped with flatscreen TV, desk/vanity table and chair, hot drink-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary WiFi & toiletries.
Main House
Purbeck House itself offers a range of accommodation, from single rooms for solo or business travellers to a grand four-poster bed experience.
Spacious room with dresser and full-length mirror
Right at the top of the house is this charming sea & garden hideaway
Bedroom views of the sea toward Ballard Down and Bournemouth
Cosy room with period features
Four-poster bedroom (picture credit: Purbeck House Hotel)
Relax on your own private sofa in your room
Dressing table in the window overlooking the Victorian garden
Some rooms have views across the town’s rooftops & across the sea to the Isle of Wight
Fresh towels on king-size bed
With the single and double rooms there is an option to upgrade to a sea view room.
The Superior Double rooms (king-size bed) are spacious and have either a garden or sea view and the added luxury of bath robes.
And the cherry wood four-poster room has a feature fireplace, with views looking toward St Mary’s Church.
Louisa Lodge
Louisa Lodge rooms range in size, catering for single visitors to families of up to five.
Relax on the balcony of Louisa Lodge
Grassy area outside Louisa Lodge
Palm trees in the sunshine
The family and double rooms benefit from garden views, or you can upgrade your double to a sea view room.
Spacious Superior rooms come with small seating areas overlooking Swanage Bay.
Upgrade to a Superior Balcony to enjoy your morning coffee outside.
Garden
The garden of the Purbeck House Hotel is little hidden gem in Swanage, with its setting so central on the High Street.
Stroll about the three acres, or sit and enjoy the sun with a drink in this little oasis of calm in the centre of town.
Enjoy the evening sun on the terrace
Pretty corner of the garden
Outdoor seating areas
Lavender-lined path
Garden tables in the evening sunshine
A romantic garden hideaway
Stone arch in the garden
The head gardener will be only too pleased to tell you about the garden’s Victorian beginnings, including the striking 90-year-old weeping ash tree.
And tucked away is a small kitchen garden with resident chickens and honey bees.
Residents’ Lounge
Relax and unwind in the lounge area after a long day exploring Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck.
The welcoming room has plenty of comfy seating with views out onto the hotel’s garden.
There’s a small selection of board games as well as a large bookshelf just outside the room.
Garden views
Peruse the bookshelves next to the residents’ lounge
Ornate fireplace in the residents’ lounge
Discover the intricate paintwork on the ceiling of the lounge area
Unwind with a board game
Entranceway to residents’ lounge
Food at Purbeck House Hotel
Note that this is a breakfast-only hotel, not serving lunch or dinner.
Enjoy breakfast in the garden conservatory
However, you’ll find a great range of places to eat right outside your door – on High Street itself, as well as dotted around town.
Residents of Purbeck House Hotel can enjoy 10% off their meal at nearby Tawny’s Wine Bar.
Weddings & Events
The hotel is a great choice for your event, being centrally located in Swanage and close to all the town’s amenities.
Whether you’re planning your big day, charity event or meeting, there’s a range of options to choose from.
Weddings
Ceremony
Purbeck House Hotel is licensed to hold weddings and civil partnership ceremonies in its dedicated Purbeck Room, which will be beautifully dressed for your special day.
The Purbeck Room dressed for a wedding (picture credit: Purbeck House Hotel)
Wedding reception seating (picture credit: Purbeck House Hotel)
The Purbeck Room
Altar in the Purbeck Room
The former convent has an arched ceiling and chapel backdrop, with wood panelling – all lending an air of romance and providing the perfect setting in which to say your vows.
The room accommodates up to 100 guests.
Reception
The Elizabeth garden conservatory seats up to 100 guests and has its own bar as well as dance floor and space for a band or DJ.
French doors open onto the terrace, so you can spill outside into the gardens.
The hotel uses local caterers who use Dorset produce and who will work with you to create a wedding menu bespoke to you and your friends & family.
General hire
As well as the Purbeck Room, the bar, conservatory and Thomas Hardy Lounge are also available to book for your event.
You can also hire the whole place exclusively.
Car park spaces may also be available for hire throughout the year.
To discuss your room-hire requirements and for prices, contact the hotel direct.
Purbeck House Hotel History
Built in 1875 by Swanage businessman George Burt, in Scottish Baronial style, the hotel has strong connections with the capital, with architectural relics salvaged from London including statues from the Royal Exchange, an arch that once stood in Hyde Park, carvings from the Houses of Parliament, and a balustrade and columns from Billingsgate Market – all adding to the building’s imitation feudal castle look.
Original stained-glass window with views across the Purbeck Ridgeway
Altar in the Purbeck Room
Sea views and original ornate stone carvings
Location and directions
Purbeck House Hotel is the most centrally-located hotel in Swanage town and has handy on-site parking.
Situated on High Street, there are a range of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafés within walking distance. And of course Swanage Bay and beach are also a short five-minute stroll away.
You’ll also find various amenities close by such as Swanage Library, hairdressers and a dry cleaner, and points of historical interest such as St Mary’s Church, Swanage Museum and Swanage Pier.
Location of Purbeck House Hotel in town (credit Google Maps)
Swanage Bay View Holiday Park is one of the most popular places to stay in Swanage thanks to its prime location above the town, fantastic indoor heated pool and great views over Swanage Bay.
Cosy up in a home-from-home holiday cottage in the beautiful Isle of Purbeck’s only seaside town – stay in a luxury beach-side apartment for a relaxing and restorative break, a large Victorian property to spend time with the whole family, or keep it cheap with budget accommodation for a seaside staycation with friends.
Clean and cosy living room at The Old Workshop holiday cottage
Relax and rejuvenate in Dorset in a cosy holiday home-from-home by the sea or splash out on a luxury countryside villa for the whole family for the ultimate staycation experience.
A great way to explore Dorset and the Isle of Purbeck is to stay in one of Swanage’s hotels, where you’ll have a comfortable base to return home to each day and everything you’d need on hand.
If you’re arriving to Purbeck via Poole, Bournemouth, Dorchester, or from the north of the county, you’ll likely drive through Sandford, which is home to a Parkdean holiday resort.
For a fun, nature-filled and budget-friendly way to holiday in Swanage, try one of the local campsites or touring parks – the back-to-basics way to explore Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.
Hire a lovingly-refurbished vintage VW campervan and explore the Dorset countryside in truly classic style – in Kombi Klassics’ words: ‘Home is where you park it’.
This family-friendly touring park sees return visitors year after year, with its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, great facilities and proximity to Wareham as a gateway to Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck.
Woodyhyde Campsite is off Valley Road between Corfe Castle and Swanage
This well-maintained, family-run campsite situated between Corfe Castle and Swanage is popular with families and is a great base for exploring the Jurassic Coast.
Located just outside the village of Corfe Castle and nestled at the foot of the famous Purbeck Ridgeway, Corfe Castle Dorset Camping is a traditional, well-kept, friendly and pleasant spot for tourers and campers.
Views across farmland toward the Purbeck Hills and the Isle of Wight
Camping in the rural surrounds of the hamlet of Acton will feel like wild camping, whilst giving you just the right amount of handy mod cons, such as flushing loos and hot showers.
Studland Summer Camp is the only naturist campsite in Purbeck and is popular with visitors wishing to visit the well-known and dedicated naturist beach in Studland Bay.
Bell tents in a tranquil spot (credit: Camp Hartland)
This small-but-perfectly-formed campsite is a magical little spot for a few night’s camping – and one you can combine into a relaxing wellness retreat.
This five AA pennant-rated camping and touring park, located within Wareham Forest, has excellent walking paths and cycling tracks, and is a stone’s throw from the Saxon-walled town of Wareham, regarded as one of gateways to the Isle of Purbeck.
Downshay is an immaculately maintained, family-oriented site set in pleasant grounds of Downshay Farm, which also has a newly-renovated on-site self-catering holiday cottage.
This unique campsite on the outskirts of Swanage offers glamping with a difference – with its five fully-equipped safari tents being ideal for families or larger groups.
Reception building and parking area outside swimming pool and shop
Bring your tent, campervan or motorhome to the pleasant Ulwell Holiday Park for a fuss-free and fun stay in Swanage within immaculately-maintained grounds and with all the on-site facilities you could need, including a clean shower block, electric hook-ups, shop, swimming pool and even your own pub.
Durdle Door Holiday Park is set in an incredible location on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Just a stone’s throw from Durdle Door itself, and a short drive or walk to the picturesque Lulworth Cove, it’s a great place to base yourself for a holiday in Purbeck.
With Swanage being the only seaside town in Purbeck, it’s an extremely popular location for holidaymakers from both here in the UK and abroad, so you’ll find a huge range of accommodation to suit any type of beach or countryside holiday.
A Victorian clifftop hotel overlooking Swanage Bay, the Grand boasts traditional charm, sweeping sea views and friendly service from its attentive staff.
