Things to do in Swanage
Planning a weekend getaway? Swanage makes for a fantastic day out. An idyllic coastal town situated on the glorious Isle of Purbeck, Swanage is a thrilling seaside town that puts people of all ages under its spell.
Famous for its sandy beaches and amazing outdoors, Swanage is also home to the enchanting Corfe Castle and the famous Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its fossils and limestone formation.
With an array of tourist attractions and outdoor activities to get you active, it's easy to see why Swanage is one of the most famous towns in Dorset.
From kayaking to coasteering and rock climbing, Swanage showcases the very best of Dorset. Ready to take a trip to this coastal town? Our wonderful Rockley Park Holiday Park, located a mere 20 miles from Swanage, is the perfect base for exploring the best of this historic town. Check out our list of the best things to do in Swanage.
1. Hike the cliff trails
Swanage sits at the centre of the Eastern coast of the Isle of Purbeck, on the South Dorset Coast. Surrounded by water on three fronts, this almost-island town boasts some of the most spectacular coastlines in the entire country.
So, it's truly a hiker's paradise.
Here are some of the best coastal trails to enjoy in Swanage.
The Purbeck Way - A spectacular 15.5-mile route within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – of course you don’t have to walk it all!
Smugglers Way – A 3-mile circular trail that takes you down ancient lanes
South West Coast Path – A 4.7-mile trail from Swanage to Studland
2. Hit the water
Swanage's coastline makes the town an ideal spot for a range of water activities.
And there's a list of experts waiting to take you out onto Studland, Swanage Bay, Poole Harbour, and west along the Jurassic Coast.
If you like getting active, there are a ton of water sports in Swanage to give you an adrenaline rush. Hire a Kayak and spend the afternoon exploring the bay and surrounding cliffs. You can even try cannoning, paddleboarding, and raft racing if you like your activities water based.
Scuba diving and coasteering are also available, perfect for those who like exploring rocky coastlines and underwater life.
3. Jump aboard the railway
Address: Railway Station Approach, Station House, Swanage BH19 1HB
The Swanage Railway provides a nostalgic way to explore this coastal town. It's a historic heritage railway running the Isle of Purbeck and is one of the magnificent tourist attractions in Dorset.
For the ultimate expedition, park at Norden and hop onto a steamy train to the coast. Along the way, you'll pass by the breathtaking vista of Corfe Castle and see the arresting landscape before pulling into the restored historic station in Swanage town centre.
A steam train offers you the rare opportunity to go back in time to the glorious days of steam locomotives. Swanage steam trains run for about six miles, traversing through the glorious Purbeck countryside and past the majestic ruins of Corfe Castle.
4. Visit the Museum and Heritage Centre
Address: The Square, Swanage BH19 2LJ
If you're a fan of history, you'll want to visit Swanage Heritage Centre and Museum.
Here, you'll uncover the history of Swanage, from the Seaside Resort to the Jurassic Coast and the Second World War. The 19th-century Old Market Building on the Swanage seafront has some interesting exhibits on the town's history, including its geological formation.
Containing some fascinating facts about the history and geology of the town, the museum will tell you everything you need to know about how Swanage transitioned from a stone trade destination to the successful holiday resort it is today.
5. Stroll the historic pier
Address: Shore Rd, Swanage BH19 1LB
The pier, situated a few miles away from our Rockley Park Holiday Park, is the perfect place for a day out with your loved ones. This historic pier is one of the most iconic sights in Dorset. The views from this delightful Victorian seaside pier rival any pier in England, providing a panoramic view of Swanage Bay.
Admire picture-perfect views of the famous Jurassic Coast and its surrounding from this historic pier, built in the 18th-century. The pier is perfect for enjoying cool coastline scenes, and its far end is also popular for fishing and crabbing.
6. Hit the beach
Address: Shore Rd, Swanage BH19 1LB
A trip to Swanage wouldn't be complete without enjoying a refreshing swim on the fabulous sandy beaches.
The sweeping sandy beach in Swanage is one of the most popular beaches in Europe. This fabulous beach has won many European Blue Flag awards and the seaside award, owing to its calm atmosphere and many tourist-friendly features.
The beach is great for solo travellers and families, boasting excellent facilities, including public toilets, huts for hire, and many nearby amusement parks. You can hire a kayak, pedalo, deck chair, or sun bed as you enjoy a drink.
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.