Check the weather, sea state and how busy the beach is before heading down for your daily stroll, or visit virtually from afar.
We know you miss Swanage when you’re away – but with our webcam you’ll always be close to the sea.
This stream is provided directly from Swanage.co.uk and provides a live 24/7 view of Swanage Bay.
In view
If you’ve not been to Swanage before, our webcam gives a little taster of what you’ll find on your seaside holiday in Swanage, which is much more than just a beautiful bay. Look more closely and you’ll see just some of the Dorset town’s famous features and attractions.
Purbeck Ridgeway
Head up from Swanage or Corfe Castle for great walks with fantastic views over Swanage, Studland Bay and across to Poole Harbour and the Isle of Wight from the ridgeway and Ballard Down headland.
Swanage Bandstand
This rare 1920s bandstand is a much-loved feature of the town, with Swanage Town Band holding performances during the summer and at Christmastime.
Chadwick Park
A great little playground adjacent to a small outdoor amusement park and crazy golf course, with parking right by the playground at Recreation Ground car park.
War Memorial
This Grade II-listed monument commemorates the local service men and women who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
Sandpit Field
Sandpit Field is the hub for many events and festivals in Swanage – if you spot a marquee in the field you’ll know something fun’s happening.
The Grand Hotel
One of three hotels in Swanage, the Grand is a Victorian clifftop hotel with excellent views across the bay toward Peveril Point.
Seafront cafés
Seafront cafés such as The Cabin and Down The Beach are great spots for a shoreside breakfast or hot drink and snack.
Shore Road
Home to Swanage’s promenade, beach huts, Swanage Tourist Information Centre, K’s Funworld & main public toilets, Shore Road is also a key route to Studland for motorists, cyclists and the No. 50 Swanage to Bournemouth bus.
Parking
Find short-stay parking on Shore Road, or close by at Recreation Ground and a large long stay at Main Beach Car Park. All have step-free access to the beach.
The Beach
Swanage’s Blue Flag beach couples natural beauty with great amenities, with pubs, cafés, restaurants, beach shops and ice-cream parlours a few minute’s walk away. There’s also a dedicated safe-swimming section in the high season.
Banjo Pier
Stroll to the end of the stone pier for panoramic views back onto Swanage Beach or a spot of fishing.
Beach Huts
There’s a range of beach huts along the bay and prom – many of which can be hired for the day, week or season.
The Mowlem
Swanage’s theatre & cinema complex is also home to a bar & function rooms and holds regular events throughout the year. Be sure to check it at night with its colourful illuminations.
Shops
Along Institute Road you’ll find the Purbeck Deli, a toy shop, cafés and a range of beachwear & gift shops.
The Bay
Watch the sail boats and fishermen as they come and go – you might also catch a glimpse of the Swanage Lifeboat team out practising or on a call.
The Pinnacles
Just visible are the chalk formations known as The Pinnacles – best viewed from the walk at Old Harry Rocks, just on the other side of the headland.
Bournemouth
Just across the water is Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, all easily reached via the Sandbanks Ferry.
Pubs & Restaurants
Find a great selection of eateries, from takeaway fish & chips to fine dining with bay views, along Swanage’s High Street.
Weather-watch
Keep an eye on the weather and sea conditions with the webcam’s 24-hour feed.
If the water’s still, you know it’s perfect for a spot of paddle boarding or taking the kids for a swim, and if there’s a bit more of a swell, it’s time to get the bodyboard out.
You can also use the cam as a handy safety-check too during stormy weather – if the tide is in and the waves are high, it’s best to stay indoors and watch the dramatic scenes from home – as with all seaside towns, the coast can be dangerous in bad weather.
Parts of the Isle of Purbeck can have their own microclimate, so it’s worth checking what the weather is like over the hill or by the coast, so you can be prepared for sun, wind, rain or – very rarely! – snow.
And if you’re a keen photographer or artist, the headland at Ballard Down is a great setting for stunning sunset skies. Some weather systems bring low-lying cloud, which gives an atmospheric mood, and on a bright summer’s day or clear, crisp autumn morning or evening watch the colours on the headland itself, and of course on the water, as they change throughout the day. Use our webcam to plan the best time of day for your shots – you can get a variety of great viewpoints across the bay from The Downs, Peveril Point and Swanage Pier, and of course from Ballard Down itself.
Plan your next beach trip
Before heading down to the beach, you can now easily check how far in the tide is and how big the waves are by viewing the Swanage Webcam feed.
See where the parasols and sun-loungers are located, or plan to position yourself right by one of the ice-cream huts. In summer, the lifeguarded safe-swimming area (just to the left of Banjo Pier) should be easily seen too.
In high season, there are various points along the beach and bay from which to hire a kayak or pedalo – (from the section of beach between The Mowlem and Banjo Pier, as well as at Ocean Bay further up the beach). You can also hire a self-drive motor boat from the stone quay near Swanage Pier to explore the bay at your leisure.
If you’re meeting friends and don’t know the area too well, our webcam’s also a great way of organising a rendez-vous point.
Events
Swanage & Purbeck pride themselves on celebrating this special spot on the Jurassic Coast – from its natural beauty to the many fantastic local businesses, groups and organisations in the area, so it’s likely you’ll catch something fun going on throughout the year.
Here’s some of the main events you’ll be able to see from our webcam if you can’t make it down to enjoy them in person:
Swanage Carnival – The annual extravaganza of fireworks, aerial flypasts, and performances takes place every summer – watch the parade – and the much-loved wheelbarrow race – as they go along Shore Road
Festivals – Many of our festivals famously take over the whole town – watch the Blues, Jazz and Folk Festivals spill from the pubs and community venues into Sandpit Field and Shore Road with processions and live music
Sandpit Field – As well as supporting annual festivals, Sandpit Field hosts events like craft fairs, inflatable theme parks and live music year-round
Bandstand performances – Typically held in the warmer months and special events like Christmas, the Swanage Town Band takes to the bandstand to delight its audience
Sailing & Rowing Regattas – Watch the local teams race each other in the bay
Regular activities
In addition to the bigger events, there’s a range of weekly and monthly activities going on in this busy town that you might catch glimpses of – such as Saturday morning sailing club lessons in the bay and sea rowing club practice.
Ballard Down is a popular start/end point for walkers and cyclists exploring the Purbeck Hills, but you can also hack out along the ridgeway with Studland Stables, and it’s also a popular hang gliding location, so you might see people out enjoying the views in a variety of ways.