The Mowlem is one of Swanage’s most prominent features – a beachfront cinema, theatre and function rooms right in the heart of town.
There aren’t many places where you can have a drink overlooking a beautiful bay during an interval or after a movie, but Swanage’s Mowlem offers that and more.
With three floors, the multi-purpose building is home to a main stage and cinema screen, with seating for up to 400 people across stalls and a circle. There’s a bar for pre-performance and interval drinks, as well as a multi-purpose function room for hire.
On the ground floor you’ll find family-run coffee shop & ice cream parlour, Fortes; the popular Cellar Bar, which overlooks Swanage Bay; and a souvenir & beach shop.
With a visit to The Mowlem you’re right in the hub of town, with all of Swanage’s restaurants and pubs nearby, so you can combine your show or cinema trip with a meal out, followed by a stroll along the beach.
The Mowlem’s Showbar is generally open ahead of film screenings and theatre performances – you can also pre-order your interval drink here. And you can pick up your freshly-popped popcorn, chocolates or sweets from the tuck shop area at the box office.
What’s On at The Mowlem & Ticket Information
The Mowlem has a year-round programme of films, comedy, live music and theatre productions.
Performances are a mix of professional productions and local amateur dramatics groups, choirs and school shows.
Find out what’s on now & next by checking The Mowlem’s website or following updates on Facebook:
You can book tickets by popping into the box office, by phone or online.
Function room hire
Hire the main auditorium at The Mowlem for your event, or the smaller Studio.
If you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion, business conference or community activity, get in touch with the team at The Mowlem by calling 01929 422239.
Clubs & Societies at The Mowlem
The Mowlem is home to regular Swanage clubs and societies – for the most up-to-date list and timings, visit The Mowlem’s website: https://themowlem.com
History of The Mowlem
The Mowlem is named after one of Swanage’s most important Victorian figures, John Mowlem (1788 – 1868) and, like much of the area, the story of this building starts with the area’s quarrying history.
Mowlem left for London at 17 to seek his fortune as a stonemason, the stone quarrying trade steeped in him from his childhood in Swanage, where he worked the local quarries such as at the old Tilly Whim Caves. He soon founded his own company, Mowlem & Co. following his work on paving the streets and constructing kerbsides of the city.
Mowlem expanded his business with his wife’s nephew George Burt, also to become a prominent and much-loved benefactor to the town. Together, they won contracts to construct many of London’s government buildings. Their joint business ventures and love for Swanage injected much fervour and development into the town, and there are examples of their work and reminders of their philanthropy all over – from the castle and globe at Durlston to the more unusual relics, such as the Wellington clock and the obelisk on Ballard Down.
In 1863, on his retirement back to his hometown of Swanage, Mowlem set up the then Mowlem Institute on the site of the current Mowlem building, which was erected in 1967 and continues to be a cultural hub of the town.
Contact details
Buy tickets over the phone, via email, or in person or get in touch with the Mowlem team to find out more about Swanage’s local cinema, theatre and community space.
Ticket line & box office
The box office phone lines are open between 10.30am and 1.30pm, from Monday to Saturday. Alternatively, you can pop in to the Mowlem to buy tickets in person between these hours.
- 📞 0333 666 3366
- 📥 boxoffice@themowlem.com
General enquiries
For general information call or email between 9am & 5pm, Monday to Friday on:
- 📞 01929 422239
- 📥 info@themowlem.com
Location and directions
The Mowlem is right in the centre of town and on the edge of Swanage Bay.
📍 The Mowlem, Shore Road, Swanage, BH19 1DD