Local Places

Swanage Town

Swanage is a small seaside town with lots of independent shops (like us). It is also the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, with award winning sandy beach, old Victorian Pier, beautiful countryside and Steam railway. If you walk around to Peveril point you will also find wonderful more secluded rocky beaches and Durlston bay, (although be careful of rockfalls and always check tide times!) Swanage has something for everyone.

Old Harry rocks

Perhaps one of the most famous landmarks on the south coast is Old harry rocks, It is a really lovely walk. Old harry actually refers to a single stack of chalk and next to it you also have his wife, there is also the Pinnacle and wedge stack as well. The natural chalk formations used to be linked to the needles on the Isle of Wight until erosion during the last ice age caused them to part forever. There are various stories about the naming of the rocks, Local legend says that the rocks were named after Harry Paye, the infamous Poole Pirate, whose ship hid behind the rocks awaiting passing merchantmen.

Dancing Ledge

Just a few kilometers west of swanage along the coast path is dancing ledge, so named because at certain stages of the tide the waves wash over the horizontal surface and the rocks causing the water to undulate making the ledge appear to dance. Dancing ledge is a flat area of rock at the base of a small cliff, you can access the ledge through a little scrambling, above the ledge you have an old quarry which is a popular climbing location as well. Around the 1900's a small pool was blasted into the rocks for use as a swimming pool by local primary schools and was recently cleared once again to be used for swimming. The sea itself isn't great to swim in due to a lack of shoreline and currents that can pull you under the ledge.

Winspit

Winspit is an old disused quarry on the cliffs near Worth Matravers. The caves have been used for filming several times in Doctor Who in the story "The underwater menace" and as the planet of Skaro in "Destiny of the Daleks" and in 2012 Disney film John Carter. It has a really wonderful atmosphere and isn't an overly busy tourist attraction

Studland

Just North of Swanage is Studland, a lovely little village with 2.5 miles of lovely beach and sand dunes, behind the sand dunes is a large area of heathland, within which is an acidic freshwater lake called Little Sea, which was cut off from the sea by the development of the dunes, and is a haven for birds and other wildlife. There is also the large Agglestone rock in the middle of the heath, also known as the Devil's Anvil, and local myth states that the devil threw it there from the Needles on the Isle of Wight. It is a popular location for bouldering.

Kimmeridge and Etches collection

Another little village about 7 miles west of Swanage, Kimmeridge has a lovely rocky beach, great for rock pools and fossils, there are loads of amonites in the ledges. It is also a popular spot for surfers. Kimmeridge gives its name to the Kimmeridgian, the division of the Jurassic period in which the beds were laid down, because of the quality of the cliffs and the fossils they yield.
Opened in 2016 was the new museum, called the Museum of Jurassic Marine Life, it displays the Etches Collection of over 2,000 fossils collected over 30 years by village resident Steve Etches.

Tyneham and Worbarrow

Tyneham was just one of many small villages dotted around the countryside, relying mainly on farming and fishing for work with their own little local school and church. In 1943 during the second world war the villagers were all moved out of their homes and taken over by the army to prepare for D-day. They were unfortunately never able to return. It is a very sad story. It has left the village stuck in a time warp, with empty buildings and an idea of how people once lived. It is still held by the military but opened at certain times of the year to the public, so check before visiting.

Worbarrow bay is a short walk from Tyneham village, it is a large broad pebbled bay, overlooked by Worbarrow tout, which if you like steep hills is definitely worth a walk up. It has the most spectacular view from the top.

Arne nature Reserve

Arne has something for everyone, a haven for wildlife, especially birds, reptiles and deer. Open heathland, ancient Oak woodland and the secluded Shipstal beach overlooking many of the islands in Poole harbour. There are lots of different trails to chose from, a lovely cafe and gift shop and a recently added play area for children.

Corfe Castle

Corfe castle is a beautiful picturesque village, overlooked by the old ruins of Corfe Castle. You can walk around the ruins now owned by the national trust, and they quite often hold events and reenactments of the story of Corfe castle. The village itself has some really lovely little shops, galleries, cafes and pubs, as well as a model village. Just outside of Corfe is an outside water adventure park and mud trail.

Durlston Castle and country park

The stunning country park is 320 acres of beautiful countryside and diverse wildlife just a mile south of Swanage. sea-cliffs, downs, ancient meadows, hedgerows, woodland, and dry-stone walls each with their characteristic plants and animals. Recent lottery funding also helped to restore the Victorian castle into a visitor centre and restaurant, with exhibitions held in the downstairs foundation gallery. A ranger is normally around to help make the most of your visit as well. There are regular events and guided walks held throughout the year for all ages and interests, visit the events page for more information about these.

Durdle door and Man O' War bay

One of Dorset's most famous landmarks is Durdle door and right next door is the lesser known Man'o'War bay (photographed here) It is a stunning spot to visit, only 18 miles from Swanage itself. Designated England's first World heritage site in 2001 it joins the family of natural wonders worldwide with the American grand canyon and Australia's great barrier reef.