A DAY TRIP IS NEVER ENOUGH BEACH & BAY SHOPPING IN SWANAGE ACCOMMODATION The essential Popular with all Gently shelving, golden With a mix of high street Whether you’re looking generations and evoking sand and clear unpolluted brands and small, for a quaint cottage, farm visitor guide to nostalgia from childhood water are just some of the independent shops selling stay, hostel, traditional holidays, Swanage is great reasons that everything from sausages B&B, posh hotel, lively perfect for a family holiday. Swanage Beach has been to souvenirs, you will be a holiday park or a rustic Swanage’s award winning awarded a Blue Flag and satisfied shopper in campsite, we have it beach is family-friendly Seaside Award. Swanage. covered in Swanage. with large stretches of Experience some of the Take your time window Check availability and SWANAGE golden sand – great for south coast’s best weather shopping and browsing book online on our sandcastle building. while strolling along the the interesting and eclectic website Family fun can be enjoyed promenade or why not vintage, retro and antique www.visit-.com or by taking boat trips, visiting hire one of the colourful shops. contact our Visitor Information quality local attractions, learning “hiring a beach beach to make your “Punch and Judy Chat to friendly shop “the shops are so Centre for help finding your holiday extra relaxing. “our hotel room to kayak or playing mini golf or makes our on the beach keepers who will be close to the sea, my perfect getaway. tennis together. Paddling in the water, delighted to help you pick Can’t bear to leave your had an amazing holiday even collecting sea shells and makes for happy out a great new look for Enjoy the simpler things in life two favourite canine friend at ? We seaview” like having a picnic in Prince more relaxing” building sandcastles is memories” your wardrobe. things!” have many places for you to Albert Gardens, crab fishing something that children will Wander around quality art stay, eat and visit which from Swanage’s Stone Quay and visiting the Country Park remember for years to and craft galleries for the welcome dogs. come. and Castle at . special purchase to remind you of a wonderful time If camping is more your Arrive in style on the by steam train or in Swanage. style, pitch your in one catch the open top bus from , both with After you’ve worked up an appetite, take a coffee of the family friendly Welcome to amazing views of the surrounding landscape. break or enjoy lunch in one of the street side cafes or campsites in and around restaurants over looking the sea. Swanage or hire a camping Extend your stay for a relaxing short break. pod or shepherd hut. Most At Christmas time look out for the festive Artisans on the sites also cater for caravans SWANAGE Beach where local crafters sell their wares from the and motorhomes. The perfect getaway destination beach huts. for all seasons. Swanage is located on the in Dorset and is the Eastern Gateway for exploring the Coast World Heritage Site. This family-friendly resort is ideal for relaxing breaks, walking, cycling, activity groups and educational holidays.

16 ILLUSTRATED MAP OF VISITING SWANAGE ARTS BY THE SEA erry le via F th and Poo 15 mou SWANAGE Drop in or contact the teams at our Visitor Information rne ou 17 Many Artisans live and work in the town selling their B Centres to make the most of your trip. To creations in the studios, galleries and workshops. Art lovers 18 1 Swanage Information Centre will find quality sculpture, photography, paintings, pottery, 2 Cinema & Theatre Swanage Information Centre glass jewellery and more. Immerse yourself in a range of 14 creative festivals including the open studios of Purbeck and le The White House, Shore Road, Swanage, Poo Museum and 3 Dorset Arts Weeks. ter Dorset. BH19 1LB. Tel: 01929 766018 hes SWANAGE orc 19 , D email: [email protected] The town has a central Theatre and Cinema offering a am 4 Prince Albert Gardens eh 20 variety of plays, shows and pantomimes throughout the ar W year. Don’t miss the autumn Purbeck Film Festival. To 5 Follow us on: Follow the Swanage Seen Art Trail and learn about artists 14 @SwanageTIC Visit-Dorset.com 6 Wellington Clocktower who were inspired by their surroundings. There are nine facebook.com/SwanageTouristInformation locations to visit, each showing a painting from the Isle of 21 7 Lifeboat Station (open to the public) Purbeck by a different artist. 14 8 Coast Watch Station at Discover Purbeck Information Centre 1 13 South Street, Wareham, Dorset. BH20 4LR 22 9 Tel: 01929 552740 Lighthouse 2 10 HOW TO GET HERE 12 11 Town Hall and Gaol (lock up) Bus 11 Purbeck Breezer Bus Routes 30* from Dorchester, 40 12 Swanage Hospital from and 50 from Bournemouth 5 www.purbeckbreezer.co.uk 13 Bus and Train (Swanage Railway Swanage Bus Station to Durlston* www.morebus.co.uk Interchange) 3 Train 14 Playground Train services on to Wareham www.southwesttrains.co.uk with connections by bus or 15 Swanage Railway. www.swanagerailway.co.uk to Ferry 4 6 16 Coach 7 National Express coaches run daily from Victoria 17 Studland Village to Swanage www.nationalexpress.com (* peak season only) 18 9 8 19 Sports Park (Golf, Tennis, Bowls, Refreshments)

10 20 Sandpit Field No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, stored, or manipulated without prior written permission from Council 21 Safe Bathing Area and the copyright holders. Punch and Judy Swanage Town Council would like to thank all contributors to this publication. Map not to scale ©Tony Kerins 22 HERITAGE ATTRACTIONS THE FLAVOUR OF SWANAGE MARKETS & LOCAL PRODUCE SWANAGE HISTORY - FROM STONE PORT TO

Swanage Railway - catch the picture postcard branch No visit to Swanage is Sample the local fare in the There’s no need to stock up The stone trade was once the main industry of Swanage. first major hotel in Swanage, the Manor House Hotel. line to the seaside. Steam trains run through the beautiful complete without quality bistros, seaview before arriving as Swanage was shipped to London in vast quantities Following a visit by Princess Victoria in 1833 they were Purbeck countryside and past Corfe Castle to the sandy walking a stretch of the restaurants, traditional pubs has independent butchers, from the 18th century and used mostly for street paving permitted to rename it the Royal Victoria Hotel. beach of Swanage. Jurassic Coast. and tearooms. You’ll find bakers, fishmongers and and harbour defences. The two founding fathers of The opening of the railway in 1885 saw the Victorians and Country Park is a countryside Recognised by UNESCO something for every taste. farm shops and well known Swanage, John and his nephew George Burt, arriving in Swanage to enjoy the clean air and the new supermarkets. were at the centre of this trade with London. paradise just 30 minutes walk from Swanage Town for its outstanding A firm favourite for visitors fashion of ‘sea bathing’. Known as one of the sunniest geology, our coastline is Centre, with coastal walking, stunning views and amazing is our scrumptious There is always a local Burt rescued many old London relics and brought them towns on the south coast, Swanage soon changed from a part of ’s only wildlife. Don’t miss Durlston Castle Visitor Centre for traditional fish and chips. convenience store or to Swanage. When exploring Swanage you can still see stone port to a flourishing seaside resort. natural World Heritage the facade of the Town Hall, from the Mercers’ Hall in events and exhibitions. If you are self catering or campsite shop just round Site. Cheapside dating from 1670, and the Wellington Clock is an integral part of the character of day visiting, Swanage offers a the corner but remember to try some of the locally Tower, originally erected at the approach to London Swanage, reflecting its Victorian splendour and rich See spectacular geological range of take away produced food including: chocolate, ice cream, beer and Bridge in 1854. heritage. Enjoy a stroll with the finest views of Swanage or features like nearby Old establishments from around cider and cheese. Look out for Dorset Food and Drink. catch a boat for a scenic boat trip along the coast. Harry Rocks. Dorset MP William Morton Pitt had seen how King “Follow in the the world. “the local ice Swanage Market: George III’s enjoyment of sea bathing popularised the Swanage Durlston Country Park has Make sure you try our freshly • Town Market - nearby town of Weymouth, and was convinced that Museum - spectacular cliff top walks and footsteps of caught seafood, our cream is not to “don’t miss the Every Friday (April to Swanage could become a fashionable health resort uncover the story a Castle Visitor Centre to handmade fresh chocolate dinosaurs” be missed” October) Swanage Fish and “watering place”. In the 1820’s he created the of Swanage from help you discover the and a scoop or two of ice Dinosaurs and the geology of 185 million years cream for dessert. Festival” Jurassic Coast to of Earth’s history. It can be seaside resort, enjoyed 365 days of the stone trade and year and highlights the Second World include wild flowers, War. migrating birds and a breath-taking walk to the lighthouse

ACTIVE SWANAGE WEDDINGS & CELEBRATIONS A TOWN OF FESTIVALS FESTIVALS & EVENTS BEACH HUTS

Opportunities to enjoy activities in Swanage are endless. Swanage Bay is a popular dive site for all standards of diver Swanage is the perfect Swanage has a year-round calendar of events to keep you January August Hire a Swanage Beach and has several diving schools and boat charter companies location for your entertained in all weathers. Many of the local attractions New Year celebrations (fancy Swanage Classic Triathlon The numerous local walking trails are celebrated during dress) Hut, ideal for family celebration or wedding. Swanage Lifeboat Week the annual Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival. But if for both diving and seafishing. organise events during school holidays to keep the whole get-togethers or a cosy family entertained and there are lots of events within easy February September out-of-season base to relax you can’t wait until Festival time, you can join a guided Swanage has become a popular destination for sporting Whether you are Swanage Blues Festival reach of Swanage Swanage Railway Transport by the sea. walk or let one of our experts plan a walking holiday for events. looking for a small and March Rally you at any time of year. Forgotten your bike? Don’t worry you can hire one to intimate wedding or an For music lovers, the town has a fantastic range of festivals Swanage Blues Festival Swanage Folk Festival Beach huts are let on a extravagant day, Swanage is a real walkers paradise with stunning clifftop follow the cycle trails. which everyone can enjoy, including Blues, Classical and Purbeck Strings Festival Purbeck Outdoor Weekend daily or weekly basis and Swanage meets all your Folk. are provided with a table, walks, the Purbeck Ridge and Old Harry Rocks. We are Take a day cruise from Swanage Pier to Poole Quay for a April Dorset Architectural Heritage wishes. Week four chairs and an proudly situated on the scenic tour of the Jurassic Coast along the way. Or go on a The Regatta and Carnival Week offers the lively Swanage Railway Spring Steam Choose from an Gala Purbeck Chamber Music Festival electricity power point. Whatever the weather, Swanage Beach Gardens Sports real adventure on a classic cutter sail boat. atmosphere of a Caribbean-style carnival plus spectacular extensive range of Classic Car Display Swanage and Purbeck Walking Different sizes and styles Park is great fun and value with putting green, tennis and fireworks, music and dancing. Why not join one of our outdoor adventure specialists and wedding venues, many Festival are available to suit your outdoor bowls. Equipment is available along with hot and “a perfect venue The Fish Festival and Walking Festival are also popular with May have a go at coasteering, abseiling, climbing, paddle- with outdoor licenced Swanage Railway Diesel Gala October family or group size and cold refreshments. locals and visitors alike. boarding or kayaking? structures to help you and a perfect Purbeck Arts Week Swanage Blues Festival location preference. “A book and a flask create a day to Purbeck Pirate Festival Swanage Railway Autumn Pre-booking is normally day” Steam Gala of coffee is all I remember and required for school holidays, June Purbeck Film Festival accommodation on site Swanage Triathlon Festival however the huts can be needed” December or nearby to suit all Swanage Fish Festival booked throughout the year. budgets. Artisans on the Beach Purbeck Plod Walking Challenge Beach hut hire makes the Christmas Lights and street Swanage Rowing Regatta You will be spoilt for choice with photo opportunities market perfect gift, book one as an with beautiful backdrops. July Swanage Railway Santa Specials unusual present and create Swanage Regatta and Carnival lasting, happy memories. Quirky or traditional, religious or civil, indoors or out Week Plus many more... – you choose. Book online at www. swanage.gov.uk/BeachHuts. Licensed civil wedding venues in Swanage include: aspx ring us on 01929 Swanage Town Hall Chambers, Durlston Castle,The 766018 or pop into the Grand Hotel, Purbeck House Hotel and California Barn. Please see Visit Dorset for a full list of events throughout Swanage Information Centre. the year or contact the Swanage Information Centre.