Middle Beach is one of the sandy beaches of Studland Bay, situated between Knoll Beach and South Beach.
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.
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.
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).
Further magical winter illuminations in Purbeck include Swanage Railway’s Christmas train and the Blue Pool’s Illuminate event.
Various traditional carol concerts are held in and around Swanage and Purbeck from late November and throughout December.
From small candle-lit experiences to lively brass-band performances, there’s a way for every member of the family to enjoy the festive season.
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.
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.
With a Santa’s Grotto at the Blue Pool this year – and even one for your pets at Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre – Father Christmas will never be far away, so best get working on those Christmas lists already!
These are the best places around Purbeck to buy your Christmas tree this year:
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.
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.
See what’s happening at Swanage Station right now: maybach.railcam.co.uk/Swanage_43965/embed.html
Corfe Castle Railway Station also has its own webcam, which gives a great view of the platform and castle ruin.
Watch for a vintage locomotive going past the castle here: maybach.railcam.co.uk/Corfe_14435/embed.html
(Images credit all: Swanage Railway webcam screenshots)
Information & history on the locos caught on webcam here can be found on the Swanage Railway website:
Be sure to check out our very own Swanage Bay webcam – enjoy the scene, check the weather and tide or see how busy the beach is.
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.