This friendly, family-run hardware store in Swanage town centre caters for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Whether you’re looking for a few screws or a hand tool to finish a job, need to pick up a new lightbulb, small appliance, or fancy some new cookware, Nixons should have everything you need.
Nixons Home Hardware
Summer supplies at Nixon’s
Nixons sells a wide range of goods from decorating, electrical & plumbing supplies to gardening tools, kitchenware, general ironmongery and other house essentials such as pest control.
You’ll also find a selection of giftware and seasonal items, such as Christmas lights and decorations in winter, and beach chairs, windbreaks, beach toys, & buckets & spades in spring and summer.
If you’re staying in one of the local campsites you’ll also find a useful range of camping gear in store.
The cheerful staff here are always happy to help you find what you’re looking for or offer advice. They can also mix that perfect paint colour for you or cut a key while you wait.
Opening hours
Monday – Saturday – 9am – 5pm
Sundays – closed
Location
Nixons sells beach & camping gear as well as household, garden & DIY supplies
There’s some parking spaces immediately opposite where you can park for a short time, which is handy if you’re popping in to pick something up, or nearby Mermond Place and Co-Op car parks are under a five-minute walk away.
Swanage’s bus terminus is also a short walk away, along with a taxi rank.
Candleworld is a charming, contemporary gift and accessories shop in the heart of Swanage, which stocks both local and designer items for the home.
What’s in store changes through the seasons, so you can find something new to refresh your living space or that elusive unusual gift, throughout the year.
Gifts, homewares & lighting at Candleworld
Vases & candleholders
Candleworld gift shop
Seaside-themed items
Candleworld has a range of accessories including jewellery and scarfs as well as decorative ornaments from well known brands such as Gisella Graham.
Naturally, Candleworld sells an extensive range of decorative and scented candles, including locally-made Purbeck Candles, as well as beautifully-scented reed diffusers and handmade wax melts.
There’s also a good range of indoor string lighting, perfect for bringing a burst of colour to a child’s bedroom or adding a cosy glow to your home.
If you’re looking for that elusive not-on-the-high-street, artisan gift, this beautifully-styled shop is sure to have something unique. Its stunning window displays showcase the latest in-store items, whether that’s cute Easter bunnies and decorative spring birds, cosy autumn-themed displays, or all decked out for the festive season in the run-up to Christmas.
At the rear of the shop there’s a year-round Christmas section with an eclectic mix of traditional and novelty Christmas baubles, lights and tree decorations.
Vases & candleholders
Gifts, homewares & lighting at Candleworld
Seaside-themed items
Handmade wax melts
Decorative vases and flowerpots
Window display
Locally-made candles & diffusers
Seaside friends
LED string lights
Local Purbeck prints
Animal milk jugs and cups
Festive scents to fill your home
Home décor
Christmas corner
Window display at Christmas
Location in town
📍14 High Street, BH19 2NT
Find Candleworld on High Street in the heart of Swanage town.
It’s right next door to Italian restaurant La Trattoria and close to both Swanage Beach and various other gift shops, pubs and eateries.
Park at any of the town’s main car parks to visit Candleworld – Broad Road is the closest long-stay car park, and Mermond Place is the nearest short-stay. You can park on High Street itself for free for up to an hour.
Candleworld location on High Street (credit: Google Maps)
The Swanage branch of national builders’ merchant Travis Perkins is based on the Victoria Avenue Industrial Estate.
The centre stocks a range of trade supplies and products including timber, doors & joinery, drainage, ceilings & partitions and insulation.
Travis Perkins Swanage
You’ll find everything you need for either a one-off job or a larger build project either on-site or on the Travis Perkins website, with delivery options available.
There are also various services on offer here, including a paint-mixing service in the decorating centre, along with Velux fitting and an ironmongery specialist.
Travis Perkins Swanage also offers an estimating service for extensions and new builds (excluding timber frame).
Opening times
Monday – Friday – 7.30am – 5pm
Saturday 8am – 12pm
(Closed Sundays)
Location in town
📍 3 Victoria Avenue (Industrial Estate), postcode: BH19 1BJ
Travis Perkins is just off Victoria Avenue on the edge of Swanage town.
If you’re coming into town from the A351 take the first turning on your left just after the bridge once you pass Moonfleet Cars and you’ll find the yard on your left, with parking available on-site.
Travis Perkins’ location on Victoria Avenue Industrial Estate (image credit: Google Maps)
Contact details
Speak to the team in-store or by phone or email for general enquiries, including delivery service:
📞 01929 425411
📥 swanage@travisperkins.co.uk
Explore Travis Perkins’ full tools and materials inventory on its main website:
Curiosity is an Aladdin’s cave of gifts, homewares and accessories in the heart of Swanage town.
With over 10,000 items in store you’re sure to find that perfect gift or a treasure for yourself that you didn’t know you needed.
Souvenirs & homeware
Alphabet bunting
Enjoy a cuppa from your favourite place all year round
Fish-themed ceramics
Friendship bracelets
The family-run shop is a popular place for children to spend their pocket money, with its range of novelty items, small toys and trinkets, and there’s a surprising wealth of home décor items, such as vases, candles and bathroom & kitchen furnishings, including light pulls, hooks, coasters, bottle-openers and crockery.
Curiosity also stocks a range of seasonal items, including Christmas decorations, as well as gift wrapping, so you can buy everything you need in here for a last-minute present.
If you’re in Swanage on holiday Curiosity is a great treasure trove of affordable souvenirs and mementos of your stay. You’ll find seaside-themed novelty items and Swanage & Dorset-specific soft toys and knickknacks.
You’ll find Curiosity in the centre of town next to The White Swan pub, opposite the RNLI shop and just a short stroll from the beach.
It’s close to several other gift shops in town, including Raspberry Rose, Candleworld and Corfe Bears, as well as many of the main cafés, restaurants and pubs making it a great little spot to explore and make an afternoon of it.
There may be some parking nearby on High Street, limited to an hour, but there are both long and short stay car parks a short walk away.
Curiosity’s location in town (credit: Google Maps)
Contact details
Get in touch with Curiosity by phone or email or visit their online store:
Swanage Post Office is centrally located on Institute Road in the town centre.
In addition to the usual post office services and products, Swanage Post Office also has a small gift and stationery shop inside.
Swanage Post Office is on Institute Road
You can both withdraw and deposit cash here, and the post office can undertake personal and business banking on behalf of high street banks.
The post office is right by all of Swanage’s key shops and café’s, and just a couple of minutes’ walk to the beach, so you can combine running your errands with a beach stroll or meeting friends for a coffee.
Opening hours
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Saturday 9am – 1pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Location in town
📍25 Institute Road, BH19 1BT
You’ll find Swanage Post Office in the heart of town, just opposite Rainbow’s End and Raspberry Rose shops.
There is some on-street parking nearby on Station Road and High Street, but not directly outside. However, due to the post office’s central location, most of Swanage’s car parks are a short walk away (Broad Road long-stay parking and Co-Op or Mermond Place for short-stay are the closest).
Note that both Station Road and Institute Road are on a one-way system.
It’s also just a five-minute walk from Swanage’s bus station and railway station – simply walk down Station Road, which then becomes Institute Road, and the post office will be on your left, just past Baboo Gelato and Amber Bay.
Swanage Post Office location in town (credit: Google Maps)
More nearby post offices
There is a further main post office on North Street in Wareham (open 9am – 5.30pm Monday – Saturday, closing early on a Saturday at 1pm) as well as smaller, sub-post office facilities in the following locations in Purbeck:
Corfe Castle Village Stores
Corfe Castle – At the village shop. Open every day (Mon – Fri 8am – 6pm and Sunday 9am – 6pm)
Valley Road – Counter service in St Michael’s petrol station forecourt shop. Open every day, Mon – Fri 7am – 8pm and weekend days 8am – 8.45pm
Harman’s Cross – At the village hall. Thursdays between 9.30 – 11.30am
Stoborough – At the village hall, between 12pm and 2pm
Note that sub-post offices may not always provide all the services that a main post office does, and some services may not operate outside of normal post office hours.
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers to send to a loved one, a dried wreath for your seasonal home décor, or want the perfect floral arrangement for an event or special occasion, these Swanage-based florists can create just what you need.
Dress your wedding table with the perfect bespoke centrepiece and have complementary colour schemes throughout your bridal bouquet and buttonholes.
Choose from luxury floral designs to simple & rustic, country-inspired themes for any occasion, including christenings & baby showers, dinner or work parties, and sympathy & funeral flower arrangements.
Or simply treat yourself to a one-off or regular seasonal subscription to brighten up your home.
Swanage Florist
This independent florist based in Swanage offers same-day delivery with floral arrangements in a natural and relaxed country style with flowers that are largely home-grown.
Bouquet
Easter wreath
Boxed bouquets
(images credit: Swanage Florist)
Bouquets start from £20, with wreaths for special occasions such as weddings and funerals at £40.
Your flowers from Swanage Florist can be delivered within 10 miles of town.
Visit Swanage Florist’s website for a gallery of photos and full price list.
Contact details & ordering
Get in touch to discuss your requirements including your preferred foliage and colour of blooms.
Swanage-based Buds of Mave offers a friendly and personal service to clients who tend to find owner Caroline through word of mouth.
Pink & white bridal bouquet
Wedding arch
Wedding buttonhole
Funeral tribute
(pictures credit: Buds of Mave)
Caroline creates beautiful seasonal arrangements, bouquets and funeral tributes, with a commitment to using top quality fresh flowers to keep blooms in their best condition.
Buds of Mave also occasionally runs flower-arranging workshops and demonstrations in the area.
Contact details & information
Find out more and explore Buds of Mave’s stunning event floristry on its Facebook page or call to place an order:
Selina Kerley is a freelance florist based in Swanage and specialises in wedding & events floristry both in Dorset and across the UK.
Selina Kerley bouquet
Floral table setting, Selina Kerley
Luxury bouquet, Selina Kerley flowers
Floral centrepiece by Selina Kerley
Selina Kerley yellow & white bouquet
Floral table display, Selina Kerley events
(pictures courtesy of Selina Kerley)
Selina trained and worked at a luxury florist in London for six years before returning to Dorset, where she offers floral support to weddings and events companies.
Selina also takes on a number of personal clients throughout the year too.
Salt Pig Too is a thriving independent café & restaurant, butchery and urban farm shop in the heart of Swanage town centre and just a short stroll from the beach.
The sister business of The Salt Pig in Wareham, which opened its doors in 2010, Swanage’s very own Salt Pig opened its doors in 2018.
Serving seasonally-inspired dishes, Swanage’s Salt Pig restaurant can seat 50 people and all ingredients are locally-sourced where possible.
Plating up in the restaurant
Freshly caught & delivered shellfish
Choose from a selection of nutritious & delicious side salads
(all images courtesy of The Salt Pig’s Instagram)
With a strong commitment to animal welfare, provenance and responsible rearing practices, The Salt Pig proudly sources all its pork, lamb and beef within 8 miles of both premises, and fresh fish and shellfish are delivered daily.
The Salt Pig’s own family of rare breed Mangalista & Berkshire pigs are kept on local heathland and woodland and have famously appeared on the BBC’s Countryfile programme.
Butcher & meat boxes are also available via The Salt Pig’s butchery and can be ordered online ready for collection from either farm shop.
The Salt Pig Too is both café & restaurant
The Salt Pig rears its own rare-breed pigs
Grab a takeaway coffee
Chef plating up in the kitchen
The butchery at Swanage Salt Pig
Butcher’s selection
(pictures credit: The Salt Pig)
Opening hours & contact
Opening times
The Salt Pig logo
The farm shop and restaurant in Swanage is open as follows:
Monday – Wednesday – 8am – 6pm
Thursday – Saturday – 8am – 11pm
Sunday – 8am- 4pm
Contact details
Call to book a table or follow The Salt Pig’s social media for their latest news and updates:
Centrally-located on Station Road, Salt Pig Too is a stone’s throw from the beach, The Mowlem theatre & cinema, and all of Swanage’s main shops and amenities.
There is a small amount of short-stay on-street parking on Station Road itself, which is handy if you’re popping in to collect your butcher’s box or visit the urban farm shop.
There are two short-stay car parks a short stroll from the café (Mermond Place & Co-Op) and two long-stay car parks within a five-minute walk of Salt Pig Too (Broad Road & Main Beach car parks) if you’re staying for a quick coffee, lazy brunch or hearty dinner.
The Salt Pig Too lotion in Swanage (credit: Google Maps)
Catering
The Salt Pig team can cater for your wedding or event at any location across Purbeck.
Event catering (picture credit: The Salt Pig)
They’ll work with you to come up with your perfect menu, whether that’s a hog roast at a big family BBQ, canapés at a work meeting or even a private party.
Weddings will be given an extra special touch with a dedicated food & drinks wedding planner.
No menu design is too big or too small – you can request a special afternoon tea, rustic outdoor buffet or full sit-down dinner.
The Salt Pig regularly caters for businesses in the area including the RSPB and the National Trust.
For catering enquiries, visit The Salt Pig’s website: www.thesaltpig.co.uk/outdoor-catering/
The Sandy Salt Pig
Sandy Salt Pig
The Sandy Salt Pig is a new mobile food trailer based at Middle Beach in Studland – the perfect accompaniment to a seaside stroll.
Warm up after your walk with a breakfast butty & hot drink on a crisp winter day or stay a while and brunch by the beach on a warm afternoon.
Sandy Salt Pig opening times: Daily, 9am -4pm
Salt Pig pop-ups
The Forgotten Salt Pig
The Forgotten Salt Pig mobile snack van at Tyneham
This mobile catering van can often be at Tyneham, where facilities are otherwise limited.
Typically, Tyneham hosts the Forgotten Salt Pig through the summer, serving hot & cold drinks, and light bites such as sausage rolls and sweet treats.
(Note that at Tyneham it’s cash-only payments due to there being no signal in the abandoned village.)
The Artful Pig
You’ll find this pop-up at artist collective & gallery Sandy Hill Arts in Corfe Castle.
Stop for a snack here as you browse the art and craft at The Boilerhouse Gallery or visit Corfe Castle Railway Station.
Sandy Hill Arts holds regular live music and arts events, including a range of workshops for both adults and children. Find out more online: sandyhillarts.co.uk
The Salt Pig, Wareham
Find the original Salt Pig on North Street in Wareham:
Tucked away down a little Swanage side-street you’ll find award-winning Chococo – a family-run, handmade chocolate company that began life right here in town.
Swanage is the home of Chococo’s first chocolate house, which has now expanded into a shop & café, with further premises in Winchester, Exeter and Horsham.
Handmade chocolates in a box (picture credit: Chococo)
Hot chocolate at Chococo
Selection of hand-decorated chocolates (picture credit: Chococo)
It’s the perfect place to stop for a hot chocolate and brownie on a chilly afternoon, a refreshing gelato on a summer’s day, or to purchase a special chocolate-themed gift.
There’s seating both downstairs and upstairs in the café next to the adjoining chocolate shop, as well as a small amount of seating in the lane outside. Upstairs you’ll also find a small children’s area with colouring activities.
In addition to Chococo’s signature chocolatey baked goods and specialty drinks, there’s also a range of other items on the menu, including local Dorset tea, scones and toasties.
As well as the Purbeck chocolate company’s firm favourites, such as their beautifully handmade chocolate bars & slabs and delicately decorated boxed chocolates, Chococo also creates seasonal and occasion products. Gifts can also be personalised for the recipient.
Can’t choose between your favourites? Why not put a hamper together, or buy a subscription as an unusual gift for a foodie friend?
Chococo also often holds fun chocolate lolly-making workshops in the holidays – keep an eye on Chococo’s Facebook page for updates, or pop into the shop to find out about any upcoming events.
Summer collection gift box
Chococo gelato
Chocolate fondue
Chocolate Dorset dinosaurs
Milk chocolate turtle lolly
Chocolate fish & chips
(Pictures all courtesy of Chococo)
Chococo has won over 100 national and international awards over the years since its inception in 2002 and boasts a tempting range of flavours from traditional favourites like Dorset sea salt caramel to its award-winning gin collection.
Popular chocolates include ginger, honeycomb, raspberry and bandanna & cinnamon, along with various novelty chocolates for the perfect edible gift.
Many of Chococo’s chocolate products are naturally vegan, but there are is also a special vegan-friendly range of chocolates available made using oat milk.
Opening hours
Monday – Friday – 9.30am to 5pm
Saturday – 9.30am – 5.30pm
Sunday – 10am – 5pm
Location in town
📍 Commercial Road, Swanage, BH19 1DF
Commercial Road is pedestrianised and accessible both from Institute Road (the alleyway opposite The Mowlem) and from High Street via the passageway between JJ Moore’s butchers and Swanage Library.
It’s also a stone’s throw from the beach as well as all of Swanage’s central shops and other amenities.
Contact details
Explore Chococo’s products and other chocolate houses on their website, or call to place an order for collection.
Whether you live here or are staying in Swanage on holiday there’s a broad selection of shops for all occasions – do your weekly shop at one of the supermarkets, support local business and producers at the Friday market and independent food outlets, and pick up a gift, souvenir or refresh your home decor with a unique handmade find from a local Dorset maker.
