Discover the attractions of one of the Jurassic Coast’s most-loved seaside towns
Both residents and visitors are drawn to Swanage because of its natural beauty and its outstanding sandy bay but there’s plenty to do in addition to enjoying a day at the beach.
One of the main attractions and a great way to arrive in the town is by rail. The Swanage Railway is a heritage steam and diesel line that currently runs between Norden and Swanage.
There’s also Swanage Pier and if you stroll to the end, you get a fantastic view of the town and of Old Harry Rocks.
A good way to learn more about the history of Swanage and its Victorian heritage is to visit the Swanage Museum in the Square. It’s quite small but packed with information and there’s always someone to answer your questions.
For entertainment, there’s The Mowlem Theatre, located right on the seafront in Shore Road. It puts on lots of professional and amateur plays and musicals as well as the must-see Swanage pantomime. There’s also films to see, at prices cheaper than most cinema multiplexes.
If you want to go for a walk (although you can drive) head towards Durlston Country Park. Go south out of Swanage and follow the South West Coastal Path. It’s about a 30 minute walk, partly uphill, with lovely views out to sea and across to the Isle of Wight. Once you’re there, there’s Durlston Castle, which has a restaurant, shop and a busy programme of art exhibitions and events.
Arguably the highlight of the Swanage Railway enthusiasts’ calendar is the visits by one of the world’s most famous locomotives, Flying Scotsman.
Flying Scotsman at Swanage Station
(picture credit: Andrew PM Wright)
Flying Scotsman
Swanage Station ready to welcome the famous train’s arrival
The historic steam engine has graced the tracks of the Isle of Purbeck’s heritage railway line on a number of occasions, drawing crowds of people wanting to travel behind it, or or simply witness it on static display at Swanage Station.
The Flying Scotsman is famously the first steam locomotive in the UK to haul a train at 100 miles an hour – and the first to circumnavigate the globe.
2022 Swanage visit
It’s wonderful to see Flying Scotsman at Swanage because the iconic locomotive has a wonderful charisma.
It’s a real icon – an impressive piece of 1920s railway engineering and the most famous steam locomotive in the world.
(Swanage Railway Company chairman Bob Patterson)
Swanage Railway enjoyed a three-week visit in October, with tickets available to travel on a carriage pulled by the Flying Scotsman, as well as to visit its footplate.
Passengers could choose from a standard one-hour return trip to Norden Station, or a premium seat, which came with a touch of luxury with champagne and canapés and afternoon tea.
Visitors arriving to view the world-famous loco
Journeys were coupled with a 1940s Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage – known as Car 14. In its heyday the Devon Belle car was once pulled by Flying Scotsman, so it was great to see them reunited once more.
The duo ran between 1969 and 1972 in America and it was from here, in San Francisco in 2007, that Swanage Railway volunteers rescued Car 14. At the time it was being used as a static bar.
Flying Scotsman fact file
97-tonne A3 class locomotive
Build year: 1923
Build cost: £7,944
Length: 70ft
The history of the Flying Scotsman
Design & build: Flying Scotsman was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class and construction was completed in 1923 by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER)
Naming: No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ is named after the London to Edinburgh express train service that it helped to operate – this journey then took eight hours
The locomotive was exhibited in 1924 at the British Empire Exhibition in London
Record-breaking: In 1934, Flying Scotsman became the first steam locomotive in the United Kingdom to haul a train at 100mph during a test run in 1934
Flying Scotsman, like all railway stock, was repainted in wartime black during WWII, and returned to its original Apple Green when the war was over and rebranded as an A3 Pacific. It was painted blue for a short time, but returned once again to green
Withdrawn from service in 1963 (retired after pulling trains for 40 years) and destined for the scrapyard, entrepreneur Alan Peglar bought the locomotive for £3,000
In 2004 the National Railway Museum acquired Flying Scotsman and then begun a ten-year, £4.2m restoration project on it
Find out even more about this iconic piece of British railway history by visiting the National Railway Museum’s website: www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/flying-scotsman
Meet the animals, have a tractor ride, race around the pedal go-kart track and let off steam in the soft play zone at Putlake Adventure Farm.
Located just outside Swanage in Langton Matravers, Putlake is a traditional, family-run working farm with friendly animals – some of whom love nothing more than to be petted, groomed and hand-fed.
Welcome to Putlake!
Indoor play area
Alpaca in the paddock
Have a go on the pedal go-karts
Cockatiel in the aviary
Sand digger
Groom the ponies, have a cuddle with a guinea pig and bottle-feed the lambs at this family-run working farm.
But it’s not just a traditional farmyard experience here – Putlake’s also a great place to have your birthday party, and you can even camp here in the summer.
Meet the animals
The animals at Putlake Farm can’t wait to meet you – and some even like to interact with you…the ponies always like a fuss and a groom; in spring the lambs need bottle-feeding; the rabbits and guinea pigs like a lap to sit on; and if you say hello to the parrot in the aviary, he might reply!
Visit the alpacas and donkeys in the outdoor paddocks and get up close to the resident owl, tortoises and peacocks who also call the farm their home.
There’s traditional farmyard animals, too, including pigs, cows, chickens and goats – did you know goats can be milked, just like cows? You can have a go too, with Mildred the Milking Goat and experience what it’s like to be a real farmhand.
Saneen dairy goats kidding around in the barn
Say hello to the alpacas
Lambs in the barn
The ponies always love a good groom
Say hello to the calves
A goat having a sunbathe
Pigs having a snooze
Say hello to the pony in the barn
Meet the donkeys
Cockatiel in the aviary
Budgies posing for the camera
Bengal eagle owl soaking up the sun
Indoor soft play
After you’ve said hello to the farmyard friends, it’s time to explore the indoor adventure soft play zone.
There’s a zip wire, ball pit, fun slides and nets to climb, spread across three levels.
Indoor play area
Babies and toddlers have their own section, and there’s also an indoor football table for older kids.
For grown-ups, there’s plenty of seating to watch the children play and have a cuppa – order snacks and drinks from the kiosk inside the indoor play zone and it will be brought across from the tea room for you.
There’s also a small gift shop here for kids to spend their pocket-money at.
Entrance to the indoor play zone at Putlake is included in the general farm entry fee.
Please wear socks in the soft play zone
Outdoor fun
Head outside to race around the pedal go-kart course or challenge yourself on the climbing frames where you can scramble up the cargo nets and whizz down the slides.
You’ll also find small trampolines, a fun sandpit area and ride-ons. There’s even the chance to have a trip around the farm on the tractor-trailer ride.
Pretend you’re a farmer by having a go at one of the mechanical diggers to excavate a huge pile of sand or try out Mildred the Milking Goat.
The outdoor playground area is right by the duck pond and has lots of picnic areas and benches, so you can have a snack or lunch when you’re done playing.
Have a go at being a farmer with Mildred the Milking Goat!
Pedal go-karting
Outdoor play
Duck pond
Sand digger
Play area and picnic benches
Ticket prices
You don’t need to book ahead at Putlake – just turn up and pay on the door.
Adults & children – £10.25
Senior citizens – £5.95
Under 2s – Free
Parties
Putlake Adventure Farm is a great place to celebrate your birthday with your friends and family.
Table set for party food (picture credit: Putlake)
Choose your favourite Putlake activities or have a go at everything – work up an appetite in the indoor soft play area before heading to the specially-decorated party room for your choice of hot or cold party food.
Discover the farm on the fun – and bumpy! – tractor-trailer ride (weather permitting) and see what the animals are up to – if it’s feeding time you can help out, or just sit and have a cuddle with the guinea pigs or groom the ponies.
Party booking details & pricing
A minimum of eight children is required for booking
Book at least one week in advance to ensure you get your preferred date
The cost is £15.95 per child (£30 deposit on booking to secure your slot)
Two adults can come along for free
To book your party at Putlake simply pop in or call on 01929 422917.
Farm shop
The farm shop stocks a wide range of handy items (picture credit Putlake Adventure Farm)
The farm shop at Putlake is a handy amenity for locals and visitors alike, with pet, garden, seasonal supplies and local produce.
There’s also essentials such as logs and gas, and in the run-up to Christmas the shop sells trees and festive wreaths.
If you’re camping at Putlake or at one of the nearby campsites, you’ll find a range of camping items, as well as children’s toys, sweets and souvenirs.
Opening hours
Putlake Adventure Farm is open throughout the year as follows:
Putlake offers camping during the summer, from mid-July to the end of August, for tent and campervans up to a VW T5 size.
This is a quiet, family-friendly site in the village of Langton Matravers, which is just a five-minute drive from Swanage town and beach. Also nearby is the historic ruin and village of Corfe Castle. If you want to leave the car behind for the day, the Number 40 bus stops right outside Putlake.
Wake up to a cooked breakfast from the on-site tea room (picture credit: Putlake Adventure Farm)
Watch the sun set over the Purbeck Hills (picture credit: Putlake Adventure Farm)
The farm shop stocks camping gear in case you forget anything (picture credit: Putlake Adventure Farm)
Enjoy great views and plenty of walking trails on your doorstep and of course you can stroll down and hang out with the farm animals and make use of the indoor and outdoor play areas at the on-site petting farm (entrance charges apply).
Campsite facilities include toilets, showers (50p per token) and the on-site farm shop, which sells a range of camping gear, such as airbeds, pumps, roll mats, sleeping bags and gas. Note that there is no electric hook-up here at this traditional farm campsite.
You can buy breakfast, snacks or lunch at the farm’s tea room, or visit the village pub, The King’s Arms, just a short walk up the road.
Campfires are permitted – please purchase logs and coal from the farm shop.
Wareham Forest - Explore wide bridleways and intricate deer tracks through this 45ha conifer plantation and heathland. The closest start point to Wareham town is the Sika Trail, from where you can also hire bikes
Walk, run, cycle or ride through miles of woodland and heathland tracks in the 3,700 acre Wareham Forest, on the Isle of Purbeck’s doorstep.
One of the most-loved natural landmarks of Dorset and a highlight of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Durdle Door attracts thousands of visitors every year.
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.
The Isle of Purbeck is arguably best viewed from atop its rolling hills as they fall away into picturesque villages and farmland on one side, into the stunning and famous landform-dotted sea on another, and with views reaching across Poole Harbour at yet another.
This towering hexagonal monument was brought to Swanage from London by George Burt – a local businessman and founding father of much of the town – in 1892.
Stop by Swanage Bandstand for a quick bit of truly local history – or plan your visit for when an event is taking place to experience some good, old-fashioned entertainment.
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.
Whether or not you’re taking a trip on a Swanage Railway steam train, Corfe Castle Railway Station itself is well worth a visit, for its vintage charm and picture-postcard photo opportunities.
This intriguing landform and small cove can be easily missed on your trip to Lulworth Cove, but making your way up the short path to see Stair Hole is well worth it.
In the grounds of Durlston Country Park sits a beautiful, restored Victorian faux castle that stands looking out over the sea, set in acres of unique parkland.
The fully-restored Grade II-listed Victorian pier in Swanage is a must-visit attraction for a sense of the town’s history, as well as giving you a unique perspective of Swanage Bay.
If your idea of a dream day at the beach involves a wild and 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.
Splashdown in Poole’s Tower Park leisure complex is a short drive from Swanage and Purbeck for an alternative activity for a rainy day or some familiar family entertainment.
A hidden historical gem in the heart of Purbeck, this is a truly local museum. Telling the story of the area’s ball clay industry, it’s a fascinating way to tunnel into the Isle of Purbeck’s past and learn how industrious clay miners were here, right back to the 17th Century.
Discover the ever-changing colours of The Blue Pool in Furzebrook
Set in 25 acres of woodland between Wareham and Corfe Castle, the Blue Pool derives its name from the striking turquoise colour the water this disused clay pit can appear.
Comprised of four miles of sandy beaches and with acres of heathland and sand dunes to explore, Studland Bay and Nature Reserve has something for everyone.
Handy for storing all your seaside essentials and giving you that extra bit of privacy, beach huts in Swanage are available to hire all year round for daily, weekly and seasonal hire periods.
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.
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.
The No.50 bus waiting to board the Sandbanks chain ferry
Your holiday starts here if you arrive via the Sandbanks Ferry, with that holiday feeling kicking in once your car rolls onto the chain ferry and you step out to admire the stunning views as you cross Poole Harbour.
The Jurassic Coast needs no introduction: renowned worldwide for its breathtaking scenery and geological importance, this 95-mile stretch of coastline dominates Dorset’s landscape, history and character.
