Whether you want to go for a gentle stroll or get out and active on the water with some watersports, Middle Beach is a great spot to wile away a few hours.
There’s lots of fun, festive things to do in and around Swanage in the lead-up to Christmas.
It’s a time for supporting local makers as they sell their handmade crafts, for community groups to come together to celebrate the season, and to enjoy the many cosy places to eat & drink with friends and family.
Christmas Market & Shopping
Support local in your Christmas shopping by finding gifts, stocking fillers and festive dinner essentials from the shops in town, or head to Swanage’s annual Christmas market to browse the stalls whilst enjoying entertainment and festive food & drink.
There’s also a number of Christmas craft fairs in nearby villages and towns to find that elusive unique gift. Try Corfe’s Christmas gift fair, visit the Etsy sellers at The Tank Museum, or discover new handmade items at quirky venues such as at Swanage’s beach huts with Artisans on the Beach.
Christmas Lights
Welcome the start of the festive season by gathering in town to watch the Swanage lights switch-on. Swanage Pier will also have its own lights switch-on, where you can dedicate a light to a loved one.
Corfe Castle’s Christmas lights switch-on and arrival of Santa in the village square is also always a popular Christmassy evening, and the Kimmeridge tree-lighting at the beginning of December is a lovely way to honour the season (with carols being sung around it on Christmas Eve).
Young children can join in a Christmas sing-along at the Mowlem’s Santa Show, and there’s the town’s annual panto to look forward to in January, brought to us by Swanage Drama Company.
Family & Kids
Kids (and big kids!) can keep an eye out where they live for Father Christmas in the first two weeks of December, with Swanage & Purbeck Rotary’s Santa’s sleigh as he makes his way around the streets of Swanage, Corfe and Langton.
And enjoy a wintery stroll around Corfe Castle‘s Christmas trail, with stories from the Lord of Misrule.
Norden Farm – Norden’s always stocked with a great selection of trees including Norman Fir from the end of November. And if you require a very large tree just get in touch with the farm to order ahead
Lenctenbury Farm – Lenctenbury Farm stocks a good range of Dorset-grown Christmas trees – from mini, potted ones to 8ft non-drop trees
Visit Swanage Railway virtually and watch steam and diesel trains as they come and go via the railway’s webcams.
Live streams of the platform and tracks at Swanage Station and Corfe Castle Station are broadcast via webcams that can be viewed at any time.
Swanage Station webcam
Watch as the Railway’s resident steam and diesel locomotives haul passenger trains from Swanage Station, or watch special and visiting locos come and go during one of the many events the heritage railway attraction holds throughout the year.
The railway webcam is a great way to view the spectacular Steam & Lights experience at Christmastime if you can’t make it down.
Not strictly an isle, but a peninsula, the Isle of Purbeck is home to a diverse array of wildlife, intriguing historical sites and areas of global geological importance.