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.
Choose from traditional, Victorian hotels with dramatic sea views, a luxurious old manor house, or something with a simple, modern aesthetic.
Fresh towels and sheets
The Grand's garden looks out across Swanage beach and bay
You won’t find the larger chains, such as Premier Inn or Travelodge on the Isle of Purbeck, however there is a select number of independently-run hotels in Swanage itself. The three main hotels in town are the Purbeck House Hotel, located in the centre of town on High Street, and The Grand Hotel and The Pines Hotel – both of which are set on the clifftop, overlooking Swanage Bay.
You can walk to the beach from all of the hotels in Swanage, and there are many more beautiful bays and coves to explore just a short drive or bus-ride away, such as the sandy shores of Studland Bay, the secluded and rugged Chapman’s Pool and the picturesque Lulworth Cove.
Some hotels are either fully or partially dog-friendly. For a handy list of dog-friendly beaches in and around Swanage and Purbeck check our dedicated page.
Hotels in Swanage itself
If you want a real British seaside experience right next to the heart of Swanage town, or a quiet escape complete with breakfast on the beach and an evening on the terrace watching the sun set over the bay, one of Swanage’s hotels will give you a holiday to remember.
The Grand Hotel
A fantastically-positioned hotel,The Grand has been welcoming visitors since Victorian times, and was famously frequented by children’s author Enid Blyton.
Set on the cliff above Swanage Beach, the Grand Hotel benefits from panoramic bay views, a large, well-maintained garden and dining with sea views, as well as a gym, sauna, plunge pool and Jacuzzi.
The garden of The Grand Hotel, Swanage
The beach, Swanage town and the Purbeck Hills are all a short stroll from the Grand Hotel.
Contact details
For further information and booking visit The Grand Hotel’s website:
- ℹ️ grandhotelswanage.co.uk
- 📞 01929 423353
- 📍Burlington Road, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1LU
The Pines
With its clifftop garden, panoramic sea views and proximity to Swanage Beach, The Pines has been a popular choice for families for generations.
This clean, traditional 3-star hotel is also a short walk from the Purbeck Ridgeway, and around a ten-minute walk into town via the beach or the road.
The Pines Hotel
Some rooms at The Pines have spectacular sea views and the most recently refurbished rooms have private balconies overlooking the bay.
The hotel’s restaurant also has commanding sea views across to the Isle of Wight and is open to non-residents, too – treat yourself to a Sunday carvery or afternoon tea.
🐾 Dog-friendly rooms are available (certain rooms are kept pet-free)
Booking and contact
Prices may change seasonally – to check room availability and to book online, visit The Pines’ website:
- ℹ️ pineshotel.co.uk
- 📍 Burlington Road, Swanage (postcode BH19 1LT)
- 📞 01929 425211
Purbeck House Hotel
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 38 rooms maintaining that traditional country house atmosphere. There’s a garden, a private lodge, and some rooms offer sea views.
The Purbeck House Hotel
Just along High Street, where the 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, 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.
Contact details
Get in touch with The Purbeck House Hotel:
- 📍 91 High St, Swanage BH19 2LZ
- 📞 01929 422872
- ℹ️ www.purbeckhousehotel.co.uk
The Limes
Make sure you check out The Limes, too. A smaller (13 bedroom), family-run hotel offering bed & breakfast-style accommodation.
There’s a pleasant bar, lounge and conservatory area at The Limes, with the lounge being well-equipped with books and board games, adding to its friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
The Limes
The beach, town and cliff walks are a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, which is located in a residential area of Swanage.
The Limes is also available to hire exclusively if you need somewhere for a large group or family to stay together for a special occasion.
Check upon booking for the availability of a sea view room. Rooms prices vary according to whether it is low or high season – visit the Limes’ website (details below) for more information.
🐾 Well-behaved dogs are welcome (please see The Limes’ dog policy, aimed at maintaining excellent hygiene standards and all guests’ enjoyment, on the hotel’s website: www.limeshotel.net/page/dog)
Get in touch with the Limes
- 📞 01929 422664
- ℹ️ www.limeshotel.net
- 📍 48 Park Rd, Swanage BH19 2AE
Hotels nearby to Swanage
Corfe Castle
The village of Corfe Castle is around a ten-minute drive to Swanage – or simply hop on the bus from your hotel straight to Swanage bus station, or you can even take a steam train for something a bit different.
There is one main hotel in Corfe – Morton’s Manor, as well as rooms at the Bankes Arms – a 2-star hotel in the village square. You’ll also find a host of B&Bs and holiday lets in and around Corfe Castle.
Mortons Manor
Mortons Manor
Morton’s Manor is a 3-star, Grade II-listed Tudor building, with a two-rosette fine-dining restaurant. It’s just a stone’s throw from Corfe Castle itself and has excellent access to walks right from your door, such as Corfe Common and the Purbeck Ridgeway.
This friendly, family-owned hotel in the heart of Corfe strives to provide visitors with a memorable, special experience. Choose from a range of good-sized rooms, including the Manor Suite with its four-poster bed, or a garden room with its own walled garden.
Explore Morton’s Manor and book online
- ℹ️ www.mortonsmanor.com
- 📞 01929 480988
Bankes Arms Hotel
The Bankes Arms pub in Corfe has three hotel rooms and is situated right in the centre of the village square, with the village shop, bakery, shops, pubs and cafés on your doorstep.
Its large beer garden is right by the Swanage Railway line, so keep an eye out for a heritage train going by, or even pop around the corner to visit Corfe Castle Railway Station, where you’ll find a small museum and displays charting the history of this much-loved heritage line. Your room will either have a railway or a castle view.
The Bankes Arms in Corfe Castle
🐾 The Bankes Arms is dog-friendly
Contact details
- ℹ️ www.bankesarmshotel.co.uk
- 📞 01929 288188
Studland
Knoll House Hotel
The expansive Knoll House Hotel overlooks Studland Bay and is around a 15-minute drive from Swanage.
Knoll House Hotel benefits from a restaurant, tennis courts, and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as nearby horse riding facilities and a golf club. The hotel is a couple of minute’s walk to the beach.
If you’re staying here, you can easily visit Swanage for the day or an evening out by catching the No.50 bus from right outside the hotel or grab a cab from one of the local taxi companies.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Contact details
- 📍 Ferry Road, Studland (postcode BH19 3AH)
- 📞 01929 450450
- ℹ️ www.knollhouse.co.uk
The Pig on the Beach
Part of ‘The Pig’ chain of hotels, The Pig on the Beach offers guests and day-visitors excellent food and stunning views across Studland Bay toward the famous Old Harry Rocks in a beautiful setting and in a building bursting with character.
Rooms at The Pig on the Beach are quirky, yet comfortable and luxurious. The lounge areas have cosy log fires in the winter, and in the summer you can stroll down to the beach for a paddle or a swim.
The Pig on the Beach in Studland
There’s also a pretty, walled kitchen garden; fresh, seasonal menu and interesting drinks; and the conservatory dining areas have great gardena and sea views.
Contact details
- 📍 Manor House, Manor Road, Studland, Swanage BH19 3AU
- 📞 01929 450288
- ℹ️ www.thepighotel.com/on-the-beach/
Wareham
The Bear
This cosy, stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Wareham has been recently refurbished and each room is endearingly named after a famous bear – including Paddington, Yogi, Rupert and Baloo.
All the rooms at The Bear are beautifully presented in this Grade-II listed building, which was once an 18th Century coaching inn, making for a memorable and comfortable stay.
Dining and lounge area in The Bear, Wareham
The Bear is also popular with locals for its delicious breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas. There’s spacious seating areas and a courtyard at the rear for outdoor dining.
Check out The Bear’s sister business, Love Cake, in Swanage for brunch, artisan coffee, or a special occasion meal.
🐾 There is a mixture of dog-friendly and pet-free rooms at The Bear.
Contact details
Call or email to book a table or enquire about staying
- 📞 01929 288150
- 📥 info@thebearwareham.co.uk
- ℹ️ www.thebearwareham.co.uk
- 📍 14 South Street, BH20 4LT
The Priory
The Priory in Wareham offers fine dining and a unique place to stay on the banks of the River Frome.
The Grade-II listed building has traditional, yet fresh and light decor, and rooms are spread across the main house and a boat house, situated right by the water.
The Priory
All the rooms in the main house are named after special areas of local interest, such as Corfe, Lulworth, Durlston and Brownsea, and the boat house rooms are named after waterbirds you might see on the river.
Contact details
Book a room or a table on The Priory’s website
- ℹ️ theprioryhotel.co.uk
- 📍 Church Green (postcode: BH20 4ND)
- 📞 01929 551666
The Springfield Hotel & Spa
The Springfield
Just outside Wareham, off the A31 that leads to Swanage, is the Springfield Hotel.
It’s a 3-star country hotel and spa, with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, gym and a snooker room. The Springfield also offers swimming lessons for residents of the area.
The Springfields is great for a relaxing spa break, business meeting or a weekend away to explore the Dorset countryside.
Wareham town is a couple of minute’s drive, and it’s around ten minutes to Swanage from here.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Contact details
- 📍 Grange Road, Wareham, BH20 5AL
- 📞 01929 552177
- ℹ️ thespringfield.co.uk
B&Bs
Robertsbrook Guest House, Swanage
There is a wide range of bed & breakfast accommodation in Swanage, its nearby villages and more rural parts of the Isle of Purbeck – from cosy rooms above a village pub, to a stay in a large, rambling country house, and from family-friendly getaways to sophisticated grown ups-only places to stay, there is something to suit everyone.
For inspiration and to browse room availability for a holiday in Swanage, try these local options on Booking.com: www.booking.com/bed-and-breakfast/city/gb/swanage.en-gb.html
Self-Catering
Communal living area. YHA Swanage
You’ll find a great range of self-catering accommodation in and around Swanage, catering to every need, taste and budget.
For a quiet retreat with bay and town views try Swanage Coastal Park and for a holiday park with everything you’ll need, including a swimming pool and on-site pub, Ulwell is popular with young families.
If you’re on a budget, or perhaps looking for a friendly, informal set-up for a group of friends or business trip, the town’s hostel YHA Swanage is clean, comfortable and welcoming.
Holiday cottages are also a favourite choice for many travellers as they give that ‘home-from-home feeling…you can stay in a cosy home on a residential street in the heart of town and live like a local while you’re in Swanage, or try something out of the ordinary – such as renting a lighthouse-keeper’s cottage on a windswept headland, an old Tuscan-style tower overlooking the dramatic Kimmeridge Bay, or perhaps a converted train carriage, right by the famous heritage Swanage Railway.
Explore holiday lets in and around Swanage
- Corfe & Purbeck Holidays – Corfe & Purbeck Holidays’ cottages are split into handy sections on their website, such as dog-friendly; perfect for couples, ground-floor bedrooms and family friendly: www.corfeandpurbeckholidays.com
- Wyke Dorset Cottage – See what’s on offer in Swanage and Studland: www.dorsetcottages.com/swanage
- Dorset Coastal Cottages – Covering the whole of Dorset, all of Dorset Coastal Cottages’ properties are within a short distance of the Jurassic Coast www.dorsetcoastalcottages.com/swanage-cottages
- Swanage Airbnb Explore the coastal, woodland or quirky retreats available in Swanage on Airbnb
Camping & Touring
If you fancy something completely different this year – or if you’re looking for something last minute and everything’s booked up, why not try camping? There are plenty of options catering to seasoned campers who like to go wild and rugged, to glamping options for travellers who like a few more of life’s mod-cons with a little bit of luxury.
