AccommodationHotels

Hotels

by Swanage.co.uk

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.

Folded towels on freshly made bed at the Grand Hotel in Swanage

Fresh towels and sheets

Swanage Beach viewed from the garden of The Grand Hotel

The Grand's garden looks out across Swanage beach and bay

Plunge pool of the Grand Hotel in Swanage

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.

Wooden benches in the garden area of Swanage's Grand Hotel

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:

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.

Exterior of The Pines Hotel in Swanage

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.

Exterior of the Purbeck House Hotel, looking down High Street in Swanage

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:

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.

Outside the Limes four-star guest house on Park Road in Swanage

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

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

Exterior of 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

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 Purbeck Ridgeway rising behind The Bankes Arms pub, the Square, Corfe Castle

The Bankes Arms in Corfe Castle

🐾 The Bankes Arms is dog-friendly

Contact details

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

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.

Outside the Pig on the Beach in Studland

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

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.

Lounge and restaurant area of The Bear in Wareham

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

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.

Exterior of The Priory restaurant in Wareham

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

The Springfield Hotel & Spa

Wareham's 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

B&Bs

Robertsbrook B&B in Swanage

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

Seating area in the lounge, Swanage Youth Hostel

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

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.

Explore our Campsites and Caravan Park pages for inspiration for your next holiday in the Dorset countryside.

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Campsites & Caravan Sites

The Grand Hotel

Swanage Coastal Park

Steeple Leaze Farm

Airbnb Swanage

Corfe Castle Dorset Camping

Sandford Holiday Park

YHA Swanage

Ulwell Holiday Park

Tom’s Field Campsite