Swanage can boast to being Purbeck’s popular, family friendly seaside resort town. This ideally located town is known for its mild weather and unique micro-climate and and is an ideal base for holidays exploring the Jurassic Coast as well as the stunning Isle of Purbeck countryside.
Swanage is located at the end of the central Purbeck Vale, where it meets the sea between Durlston Head and Peveril Point. The town centre lies in a beautiful sheltered bay, with streets rising to the north and south, up steep slopes, where you will come across some absolutely stunning views over the sea.
There are plenty of attractions near to Swanage town centre to keep all the family entertained from the amusements at the Santa Fe park, putting green and tennis at Swanage Beach Gardens, an indoor amuseument centre on the promenade, a local theatre and cinema, museum and heritage centre and a lovely traditional seaside Pier, which is also a base for local boat trips and water sports.
Swanage is a ‘Blue Flag’ beach, and has large stretches of golden sand within its sheltered bay. The beach has very good access is it is located right in the centre of town, with an accessible long promenade on Shore Road.
Given its good accessibility Swanage Beach is very popular for family holidays, especially those looking for a traditional English seaside getaway. There is often a Punch and Judy show during the peak holiday season, plus boat hire and watersports and local amusements nearby. For food and drink there are plenty of local cafes and restaurants within a short walking distance
Swanage is a ‘Blue Flag’ beach, and has large stretches of golden sand within its sheltered bay. The beach has very good access is it is located right in the centre of town, with an accessible long promenade on Shore Road.
Given its good accessibility Swanage Beach is very popular for family holidays, especially those looking for a traditional English seaside getaway. There is often a Punch and Judy show during the peak holiday season, plus boat hire and watersports and local amusements nearby. For food and drink there are plenty of local cafes and restaurants within a short walking distance
There are plenty of restaurants, pubs and cafes in Swanage to choose from and you will be spoit for choice! From cosy tea rooms and tempting ice-cream parlours, to traditional fish and chips or fantastic dishes ranging from traditional British to International Cusine, many using local Dorset ingredients.
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Swanage has a good, varied mix of high street brands and small independent shops. From fantastic locally made food and drink, arts and crafts or nostalgic seaside giftware.
There are plenty of grocery shops in the town centre including some lovely independent shops selling local produce. The main, large supermarket is the Co-op which is located next to Swanage railway station or Budgens on station road.
Don’t miss a wander through the ‘Heart of Swanage’, a group of local independent stores located in the small alleyways right in the heart of the town centre. Shops include independent stores selling local produce, arts crafts, clothes and gift and Swanage’s famous luxury Chocolate maker Chococo, which has a store and cafe here.
Swanage is certainly a very popular place for artists.with many selling their work in local art galleries. There is also an annual arts festival called ‘Purbeck Arts Week’,which celebrate local arts in the area with open studios.
A weekly market is held on Friday at the main beach car park on Victoria avenue from 8 am – 1 pm. With a good selection of local good and fresh produce on sale.
Swanage is also a great base to explore the Jurassic Coast and the beautiful Isle of Purbeck. Don’t miss a trip to the nearby Durlston Country Park and Castle in Swanage.
Or take a trip on a stream train from Swanage Railway to the National Trust’s Corfe Castle, through the stunning Purbeck countryside.
Or catch a bus or drive to the fascinating Saxon walled town of Wareham on the banks of the river Frome, known as the gateway to Purbeck.
Swanage has its very own country and coastal park at Durlston, where you can enjoy stunning cliff top walks, enjoy the local marine wildlife or visit Durlston Carstle visitor and exhibition centre. There are plenty of local events at Durlston Country Park and Castle throughout the year.
Find out more about Durlston Country Park and Castle including upcoming events; https://visitpurbeckdorset.co.uk/activity/durlston-country-park-and-castle/
No holiday in Swanage would be complete without a trip on Swanage Railway’s where you can enjoy a trip to nearby Corfe Castle on a steam or vintage diesal train. Swanage Railway also have a number of special events runing throughout the year.
Find out more about Swanage Railway including upcoming events. https://visitpurbeckdorset.co.uk/activity/swanage-railway/
A pretty rural village located a couple miles west of Swanage Town Centre, just a short 10 minute drive. This area is famed for its quarrying industry and there’s an interesting local museum, the Purbeck Stone Museum which tells the story of this quarrying history in the area.
There are also some lovely walks from the village including the ‘dancing ledge’ on the Jurassic Coast. For children there is also the Putlake Adventure Farm with animal and soft indoor play to keep the youngsters entertained.
Find out more about the Purbeck Stone Museum https://visitpurbeckdorset.co.uk/activity/the-purbeck-stone-museum/
A short 10 minture drive from Swanage is Studland and Godlingston Heath National Nature Reserve and the nearby Old Harry Rocks both managed by the National Trust.
With stunning natural sandy beaches and heathland, the area is popular for picnics, walks and cycling. From here you can also catch the Sandbanks Ferry to Poole.
Find out more about Studland Bay and Beach
Find out more about Old Harry Rocks
Find more information on Sandbanks Ferry at https://www.sandbanksferry.co.uk/
