Swanage & The Local Area

Swanage has so much to offer holiday makers regardless of age or inclination, whether you’re planning to stay for a long weekend or a fortnight the town and surrounding area will captivate you as it has thousands of others since Victorian times, when the town first came to prominence thanks to it’s natural beauty and ideal situation on England’s beautiful South Coast.

Boasting countless areas of beauty from the town beach with views of the Isle of Wight to the rolling Purbeck Hills, which provide Swanage’s lush backdrop and favourable micro-climate, holiday makers in Swanage are never short for picture postcard views, whatever the season.

Whether you prefer the beach, nature or cultural pursuits Swanage will not disappoint and after you have had your fill of the town and surrounding area’s many attractions there are plenty of places to refresh and re-group for the evening ahead.  The Isle of Purbeck is home to more than 50 pubs, ranging from traditional Ale Houses serving locally brewed award-winning Real Ales, to family friendly pubs with large beer gardens and play areas to keep everyone entertained. 

After the pub, there are countless restaurants to choose from serving all varieties of cuisine to match every taste and budget.  From bright and friendly cafes serving traditional cream teas and refreshments, to fine dining restaurants for true foodies and everything in between, the town won’t disappoint any palette.  Make sure you save some room for traditional fish & chips on the sea front- a trip to Swanage wouldn’t be complete without it!

After drinking and eating why not round the evening off with live music in a pub, a show at the Mowlem Theatre and cinema or travel slightly further afield to catch an outdoor production of Shakespeare on Brownsea Island? Check with Swanage Tourist Office for details of other one-off shows and concerts that are held throughout the summer months.

Some Swanage Attractions

Some of the attractions you should make time to see when you’re visiting Swanage:

  • Blue Flag Award-winning beach with a safe swimming area
  • Durlston Castle Visitor’s Centre- the Eastern Gateway to the Jurassic Coast, a designated World Heritage Site
  • Swanage town’s award-winning steam railway, Dorset’s premier standard gauge preserved steam railway
  • Durlston Country Park- awarded the RHS Conservation & Environment Award, 20 acres of beautiful country park and home to dozens of species of rare birds, butterflies and wildlife
  • Durlston Castle- built in 1887 by George Burt, this impressive Victorian Folly was planned to be the central entertainment hub for residents of Durlston
  • Historic Victorian Trail- follow the sign around Swanage town to discover its Victorian roots
  • Swanage Pier- recently restored to its Victorian glory
  • Studland Beach- 3 miles of soft sand stretching from South Haven Point to Old Harry Rocks
  • Studland National Nature Reserve- acres of beautiful heathland ideal for exploring
  • Diving off Pier Head- widely acknowledged as one of the best spots to sea dive in the UK