Guidebook for Swanage
Sightseeing
Award-winning restoration of a Victorian folly, which now houses a restaurant and visitor centre.
81 locals recommend
Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve
Lighthouse RoadAward-winning restoration of a Victorian folly, which now houses a restaurant and visitor centre.
Wonderful heritage railway with frequent trips on restored steam and diesel engines to Corfe Castle. Also runs special restaurant trains and Santa specials.
10 locals recommend
Swanage Railway Company
Station RoadWonderful heritage railway with frequent trips on restored steam and diesel engines to Corfe Castle. Also runs special restaurant trains and Santa specials.
Restored Victorian Pier for strolling to see the fantastic views of Swanage Bay, or to take boat Trips to Poole or Bournemouth or along the Jurassic Coast.
31 locals recommend
Swanage Pier
Swanage PierRestored Victorian Pier for strolling to see the fantastic views of Swanage Bay, or to take boat Trips to Poole or Bournemouth or along the Jurassic Coast.
Corfe Castle Cafe
The SquareThe most evocative ruin in England
Dolphin Quay
The QuayTraditional quayside only a short boat trip from Swanage
Everything Else
Charlie will rent you a bike and dispense masses of invaluable local Knowledge about where to ride (and where to stop for refreshments).
Bikemonger
2 Duck HillCharlie will rent you a bike and dispense masses of invaluable local Knowledge about where to ride (and where to stop for refreshments).
The famous Ape sanctuary as featured on its own TV programme for the last 18 years.
319 locals recommend
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
LongthornsThe famous Ape sanctuary as featured on its own TV programme for the last 18 years.
Small local history museum which is indispensable for learning about the interesting and varied past of the town.
12 locals recommend
Swanage Museum
The SquareSmall local history museum which is indispensable for learning about the interesting and varied past of the town.
Arne RSPB Nature Reserve has a visitor centre from where you can take guided tours, or walk unescorted through the woods to the hides overlooking the wetlands of Poole Harbour. A must for bird lovers.
37 locals recommend
Arne
Arne RSPB Nature Reserve has a visitor centre from where you can take guided tours, or walk unescorted through the woods to the hides overlooking the wetlands of Poole Harbour. A must for bird lovers.
Accessible by boat from Swanage or Poole, this is the island where the first Boy Scout camp was held. Now a nature reserve with one of the last remaining red squirrel populations in England.
204 locals recommend
Brownsea Island
Accessible by boat from Swanage or Poole, this is the island where the first Boy Scout camp was held. Now a nature reserve with one of the last remaining red squirrel populations in England.
A fabulous stretch of sand where you can swim, build sand castles and even, on one part, sunbathe in the nude! Cafes at Knoll, Middle and South Beaches.
52 locals recommend
Studland Naturist Beach
A fabulous stretch of sand where you can swim, build sand castles and even, on one part, sunbathe in the nude! Cafes at Knoll, Middle and South Beaches.
Food Scene
Corner Restaurant
1 Institute RdExcellent food on a fixed price menu, right in the centre of town.
Chilled Red
1-5 Commercial RdModern British restaurant specialising in local produce.
If the weather is good there is no finer place to dine (or lunch, or snack, or drink) than Gee White's famous seafood bar. Try the dressed crab, or go for the whole seafood platter.
29 locals recommend
Gee Whites Seafood Restaurant
1 High StIf the weather is good there is no finer place to dine (or lunch, or snack, or drink) than Gee White's famous seafood bar. Try the dressed crab, or go for the whole seafood platter.
Entertainment & Activities
The Tank Museum
Linsay RoadGreat for mechanically minded boys and girls of any age.
Drinks & Nightlife
Believed by many to be the best pub in England, with stone floors, a tiny bar, brilliant location and roaring fires in winter. It has its own cider and its own fossil museum.
92 locals recommend
The Square and Compass
Worth MatraversBelieved by many to be the best pub in England, with stone floors, a tiny bar, brilliant location and roaring fires in winter. It has its own cider and its own fossil museum.
A rambling ivy-covered pub with stunning views from the large garden. Good food, including a genuine Jamaican jerk barbecue in summer.
44 locals recommend
The Scott Arms
West StreetA rambling ivy-covered pub with stunning views from the large garden. Good food, including a genuine Jamaican jerk barbecue in summer.