Explore the Isle of Purbeck your way – by road, rail or sea
Located on the South West Coast of England and within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Swanage is easily accessible from major cities such as London, Bristol and Exeter.
By car
The drive takes around 2.5 hours from London via the M3, from Bristol via the A37 or A350, and from Exeter via the A35.
If you are coming from the east, you can get to Swanage via the Sandbanks – Studland chain ferry, or around the road inland via the A351.
Parking
There are several long and short stay car parks in Swanage.
Some are ideally situated for the beach; others take you straight into the heart of the town.
By train
The nearest mainline train station to Swanage is Wareham, which is on the London Waterloo – Weymouth South Western Railway line.
South Western Railway also runs a Summer Saturday Special service (May – Sept) from North Dorset (Sherborne and Gillingham), Wiltshire (Salisbury), Somerset (Yeovil and Templecombe) and West Dorset (Dorchester and Weymouth). This train stops at Corfe Castle, where you can catch a connecting steam train to Swanage on the Swanage Railway.
You can also park at Norden or Corfe Castle and catch the heritage steam train to Swanage.
By bus
From Poole
The No. 40 Purbeck Breezer bus runs hourly from Poole Bus Station.
Journey time is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
From Bournemouth
The No. 50 bus will take you from Bournemouth to Swanage bus station via the Sandbanks Ferry.
Journey time is about 1 hour 20 minutes.
From Weymouth
(Note that this is a seasonal service.)
During the summer months, the No. 30 bus runs hourly from Weymouth to Swanage bus station on a daily basis.
Journey time is 1 hour 42 minutes.
By coach
National Express runs a regular coach service from London’s Victoria coach station to Swanage Bus Station.
For this low-cost and convenient method of transport for getting to Swanage check the National Express website: www.nationalexpress.com/en
By plane
The nearest airport to Swanage is Bournemouth International, which is approximately a one hour drive.
Southampton Airport is also extremely accessible, with a direct train from Southampton Airport Parkway to Wareham (Swanage’s nearest mainline station), which takes around an hour and 15 minutes.
By boat
A cruise service runs twice daily from Poole Quay to Swanage Pier between April and October inclusive.
Spend a day in Wareham at a riverside restaurant, taking a boat trip, or walking the Saxon walls that surround this historic town.
There are various pubs, restaurants and cafés to choose from, as well as a range of handy shops, including supermarkets, household & pet supplies and specialist shops like that angling centre.
Bonnet’s Lane – Postcode: BH20 4NN
Park for 30-minutes (50p) to up to 10 hours (£6) or more at this large parking area behind the main shopping streets.
Bonnet’s Lane car park
It’s close to Boots, The Salt Pig, Wareham Town Museum and general amenities.
Parking location number: 7710 (Same reference no. for West & Eat)
Streche Road – Postcode: BH20 4PB
Park here for the Wareham Walls walk, town shopping and The Rex cinema.
Streche Road car park in Wareham
This large car park also accommodates coaches and lorries.
Location reference: 7714
Connegar Lane – Postcode: BH20 4NQ
Located close to Lady St Mary church & cemetery and The Priory Hotel.
JustPark location no: 7711
Wareham Train Station – Postcode: BH20 4BG
Temporary (20 minute) parking bays are available for drop-off & pick-up
Park for the day at a cost of £2 at weekends and £3.10 during the week, and head out to explore a new part of Dorset by train (South Western Railway Line).
Discounts are applied for purchasing multiple-day or week-long tickets.
Park for Wareham Station using the RingGo app with location number: 77556
Free on-street parking
There’s also parking on the main streets of town in Wareham, where you can park for free for up to an hour.
Use one of Wareham’s short-stay car parks to do a bit of shopping, meet friends for a coffee or drink, or visit one of the town’s galleries.
There’s a range of café’s, shops and amenities in the Saxon walled town, with lots of hidden gems, such as Purbeck Artisan Yard – a collective of local arts and crafts makers.
Car Parking in Wareham
Sainsbury’s car park
Rempstone Centre (behind Sainsbury’s) – Postcode: BH20 4NX
Park for up to two hours at this centrally-located town car park, situated just off Church Street.
JustPark location reference: 7713
Co-Op – Postcode: BH20 4AB
Find this small shoppers’ car park by turning off the main North Street onto Cow Lane and left again into St Michael’s Road.
There’s a handy back-entrance into the Co-Op store direct from this car park
Free parking in Wareham
You can park for an hour on the main streets of town free-of-charge.
It’s also free-of-charge to park in most car parks after 6pm.
Overflow car parking for Lulworth Cove in the summer
Postcode: BH20 5RQ
Perfect for a paddle or for a picnic on a pretty, white stony shore, the beach here is surrounded by stunning views and coastal walks packed with intriguing Jurassic Coast geology.
The cove itself is a five-minute stroll from the car park situated in the village of West Lulworth.
Lulworth Cove
Find out more about the area at the Visitor Centre
Walking routes nearby the car park
Window boxes in the streets of West Lulworth
There’s loads of facilities on hand – ice cream parlours, gift shops, fish & chip restaurants, as well a visitor centre and toilet complex.
Parking can be exceptionally busy here at peak times so check travel updates in advance and arrive early.
Car parking for Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door is £5 for four hours or £10 for the day.
Ferry & South West Coast Path signage at Shell Bay
Postcode for parking – BH19 3BA
If you’re staying in Swanage and you want to make a day trip to Sandbanks, you can park here at Shell Bay and take the ferry over to the Sandbanks side as a foot passenger.
Shell Bay
Boardwalk to Shell Bay beach beach
Ferry & South West Coast Path signage at Shell Bay
Wide sandy beach at Shell Bay
Or simply park for a walk or sunbathe on the vast sands of Studland’s Shell Bay and views across Poole Harbour.
There’s also a lovely seafood bistro opposite the car park here.
Park right by the shore for an easy stroll along the prom or for a quick swim.
There’s plenty of parking along the length of Shore Road, although it’s worth noting that it is partially pedestrianised in the summer.
Seafront parking on Shore Road
Parking on Swanage seafront
You can park on Shore Road from £4.30 for an hour. Charges apply 24 hours a day, however from 6pm (till 8am) there is a single charge of £4.
JustPark location no: 7683
Partially-pedestrianised section
The section closest to town (from The Mowlem up to Banjo Pier/the junction with Victoria Avenue) is closed to cars during the peak summer season (May – September inclusive) for the benefit of pedestrians using the ice cream shops, entertainment facilities and beach huts here.
It also allows event-organisers to utilise this prime position in Swanage – from special summer markets to festival events, such as Swanage Carnival’s street art competition and wheelbarrow race.
Swanage Carnival information Hut
Swanage Folk Festival on Shore Road
Piña coladas on the seafront
Lifeboat fundraisers holding a book stall on Shore Road
The car park’s handy for shopping as well as a short trip into town
Class 31 73 136 at Swanage Station
Parking prices
Low season price – 60p per hour; free
High season – One hour: £1.20 and £2.10 for two hours
Park for free – From 7pm – 8am throughout the year
JustPark location no: 5952
If you pay by card or cash you can use your refund voucher to get your car parking payment back in-store, however this doesn’t apply if you use the pay-by-phone app.
Three-day or weekly tickets – You can get a three-day or weekly car parking ticket at Main Beach, which is handy if you’re staying at a nearby B&Bs that may not have its own parking
Located at the northern end of town, North Beach Car Park is handy for the middle and northern end of Swanage beach, walking in the Purbeck Hills and visiting the hotels or pubs at this end of town for a meal.
It’s a bit further away from the town’s main shopping area and entertainment, but there’s a waterfront bar and public toilets, as well as kayak-hire with Ocean Bay on the strand in the warmer months.
Parking spaces at North Beach
North Beach parking ticket machine & Just Park information
This large long-stay car park is convenient for various pubs and restaurants including la Trattoria and The Ship Inn, as well as for exploring Swanage Pier or a quick scamper on the town’s year-round dog-friendly beach.
It’s also the nearest car park to the town’s amphitheatre located in Prince Albert Gardens, which holds performances and plays host to various festivals throughout the year.
Broad Road parking
Prince Albert Gardens & amphitheatre
Outside Gee Whites
You’ll find Broad Road car park by following High Street to the southern end of town.
Turn right up the hill by Gee Whites and East Bar onto Seymer Road and the car park at Broad Road will be on your left.
Parking prices
Hourly – Park from £1.50 for an hour to just over £6 for four hours, or up to £7.20 for six hours. If you’re arriving in the evening it’s just £1 from 6pm for the duration of your parking (until 8am the following day)
Daily – A daily car parking ticket (£8) is also available and can also be used at Main Beach Car Park
Three/seven-day tickets – You can pay for a three-day or weekly car parking ticket at Broad Road, which is handy if you’re staying at one of the local B&Bs that may not have dedicated parking, or if you’re staying in a neighbouring Purbeck village, but want the ease of being able to come and go to Swanage as you please. This pay-by-phone only parking ticket is valid in all long-stay Swanage car parks.
JustPark location – 5950
Parking prices vary slightly according to whether it is high or low season – visit the town council’s parking large for full information: www.swanage.gov.uk/carparkcharges.aspx
Parking spaces at Recreation Ground (Mermond Place)
Postcode – BH19 1DQ
Mermond Place/Recreation Ground is a handy short-stay car park for popping to the shops or for a quick play at the park, a game of crazy golf, or meeting friends for a coffee.
It’s also a short stroll to the beach from here and the closest car park for Budgens supermarket, Boots and the Salt Pig.
Parking spaces at Recreation Ground (Mermond Place)
Jurassic Golf at Santa Fe Fun Park
Budgens, Swanage
(Note that there is a height restriction of 7ft 6in at this car park).
Parking hours & prices
Park from one to two hours.
Charges apply from 8am – 7pm. (No overnight camping or sleeping allowed).
High season (April – October) – £1.20 for an hour, or £2.10 for two hours
Both Main Beach and North Beach car parks accommodate campervan and motorhome parking.
Note that if your vehicle takes up two spaces you’ll need to pay double.
Dedicated campervan parking at Main Beach Car Park
All car parks in Swanage do not allow overnight parking, camping or sleeping, but there are a number of excellent caravan sites and tourist parks in the area to stop for the night.
You can apply for a residents’ parking permit for the Horsecliffe Lane parking area (behind Chadwick Park and Mermond Place car park) if you live in Swanage or other Purbeck villages and environs.
Horsecliffe Lane is reserved for residents only, however a residents’ permit also allows you to park for two hours at Main Beach and Mermond Place (Recreation Ground) car parks.
One-way entry to Horsecliffe Lane parking
Horsecliffe Lane is handy for bandstand events
The war memorial is also right by the residents’ parking area
The maximum number of hours’ stay still applies.
Seasonal cost – Residents’ parking is free in low season (November – March inclusive), with a small charge during high season
Price of permit – You simply need to pay a one-off admin fee of £5 to Swanage Town Council, and submit a copy of your council tax bill and vehicle registration document
Temporary (20 minute) parking bays are available for drop-off & pick-up
Wareham Station is on the South Western Railway London Waterloo to Weymouth line and is the closest mainline station to Swanage.
Less than a mile from Wareham town centre (Swanage nearest town), it’s well connected to Purbeck and other parts of Dorset.
Temporary (20 minute) parking bays are available for drop-off & pick-up
Train arriving into Wareham Station
Wareham Station
Platform and tracks viewed from the footbridge
Not only is it a great way for visitors to access the Isle of Purbeck, Wareham Station is a key way for residents to commute to and visit the conurbation of Poole & Bournemouth to the east, and Dorchester and Weymouth to the west.
Trains typically run twice an hour each way – from Weymouth to London Waterloo, and from Waterloo to Weymouth.
Journey time from London Waterloo to Wareham: 2 hours, 13 mins – 2h 22m (check National Rail Enquiries or the South Western Railway website to book tickets and for live updates and possible changes/disruptions to services: www.southwesternrailway.com)
Onward travel to Corfe Castle & Swanage
The No. 40 arriving at Wareham Station bus stop (platform 1 side)
By bus
The MoreBus Number 40 stops at Wareham Station, so you can pick up the bus right from the train on toward Corfe Castle and Swanage.
This is an hourly bus service (check with the bus company for timetables so you can coordinate your arrival on the train with the bus departure time: www.morebus.co.uk)
Journey time from Wareham to Swanage via bus: Around 40 minutes
By taxi
Various local taxi companies also work out of Wareham Station, enabling you to get to your destination with ease.
There may be taxis already waiting at the taxi rank for you to pick up but it’s always worth phoning ahead to book to ensure your journey goes smoothly.
Journey time from Wareham to Swanage via car/taxi: Around 25 minutes
You can buy your tickets in advance online or visit the ticket office at Wareham Station, which is located at ground level and accessible both from the car parking area or from platform 2.
There are ticket machines on platform 2 to either purchase tickets or collect pre-bought tickets. You’ll need your booking reference number and the card used to pay for the tickets.
Ticket office opening hours
Monday – Friday – 6.10am – 6.30pm
Saturday – 7.15am – 1.50pm
Sunday – 10am – 2pm
Buy tickets online via websites such as National Rail and Trainline, or directly through South Western Railway. All have the option to add railcards, such as the Family & Friends railcard, the 16-17 saver, 16-25, 26-30, senior, veterans and disabled railcards, which all typically give you 1/3 off your ticket price. Find out more information on the National Rail website: www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/National-Railcards.aspx
Station facilities
Platform 2 viewed from Platform 1
You’ll find public toilets and an enclosed waiting room on platform 2.
There is no refreshments kiosk at Wareham Station but there are various small shops, cafés and supermarkets in Wareham itself.
Wifi is available, and there are public telephones.
Bike racks are available at the station. There is also a handy bicycle repair, sales and advice shop – Cycleworks – right next door to Wareham ticket office.
Parking at the station
Temporary (20 minute) parking bays are available for drop-off & pick-up
There’s a good-sized car park (69 spaces) on the Platform 2 side of the station.
You can purchase a car parking ticket in the station ticket office, from a machine outside, or via the RingGo parking app (location number 77556). Alternatively call to pay to park on 01256 802804.
Purchase either a day, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual ticket.
Weekday day ticket: £3.10/day
Weekend day ticket: £2/ day
Weekly ticket: £14.10
Accessibility information
Foot, cycle and wheelchair accessible controlled crossing
The guard on the train is available to offer assistance to board and alight the train. Assistance can be booked in advance but is not necessary – simply make yourself known to the guard and they will gladly help you out.
There is a ramp available for wheelchair access to the train.
Ticket machines and toilets at the station are accessible.
To access the opposite platform there is a stepped footbridge, however there is also level access via a controlled pedestrian level crossing. The foot and cycle crossing is manned and has locking automatic gates.
Location & contact details
Wareham Station is easy to find and is located just off the main A351 from Poole to Swanage, and equally accessible from the Bere Road direction.
📍 Wareham Station postcode: Northport, BH20 4AS
📞 Customer services phone number: 0800 5282100
Wareham Train. Station’s location (Google Maps)
You might be interested in…Wareham Station’s history
Wareham Train Station was once part of the branch line to Swanage, which closed in 1972.
After much campaigning, local residents and historic railway enthusiasts managed to get the line partially rebuilt and restored. The Swanage Railway now runs as a popular heritage line and is one of Swanage and Purbeck’s main attractions, running steam and diesel locomotives throughout the year, along with various events and festivals.
A limited number of special services run on the Swanage Railway line all the way to Wareham for special events. It is hoped that this will become a more regular and permanent feature of the railway in future.
Swanage Railway Station is one of the town’s most-loved landmarks. Located close to the town centre and beach, it’s the start of a memorable journey through the picturesque landscape of the Isle of Purbeck.
There’s one main filling station within Swanage itself (on Victoria Avenue) as well as a few more nearby for you to fuel up before you head out on your day’s adventure.
Harman’s Cross Station is one of the stops along the heritage Swanage Railway line, that runs through the Purbeck countryside to and from Swanage and Norden, via Corfe Castle.
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.
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.
