
Walking and Rambling in Swanage
The whole of Purbeck area, a lot of which is An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is just waiting to be explored. Swanage is on the South West coast path that stretches from Poole harbour to...
A large, sea-facing Victorian villa, YHA Swanage is situated five minutes' walk from the award-winning beach of Swanage – the only Blue Flag beach along the entire Dorset Jurassic coast. Spend a restful holiday building sandcastles, paddling in the sea and sampling local ice cream or give coasteering or diving a go on this rugged coastline.
Our hilltop location gives rooms spectacular panoramic views of Swanage town and bay. The town is a classic British seaside resort and the perfect gateway to the Jurassic coast, a world heritage site. With the steam train and Corfe Castle nearby, you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do.
A grand, sea-facing Victorian villa situated just five minutes' walk from an award-winning beach, YHA Swanage offers an incredible location for a seaside break. This well-equipped hostel is perfect for activity breaks with walking, fossil hunting, geography/geology activities and an award-winning beach all close by.
This hostel is great for secondary school fieldwork activities. Try beach profiling in the friendly, colourful seaside town of Swanage, fossil hunting and geology at Kimmeridge and Durlston or other studies around coastal processes at Studland and Old Harry’s rocks. Primary schools and other groups can enjoy a more classic seaside residential and head down to the beach, which is easily accessible from the hostel. With the steam train and Corfe Castle nearby, you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do.
Most of our bedrooms are dormitory style rooms with bunk beds. We always try to allocate bedrooms close together and will never ask your group to share bedrooms with anyone not in your group.
Upgrades are available for sole use of an area, floor or the entire place.
YHA Swanage offers modern facilities including four classrooms, on-site parking and free Wi-Fi. Groups benefit from the use of our open plan social areas with an oak-panelled lounge and dining room, complete with comfy chairs.
With tasty breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals, groups are sure to find something delicious to eat at YHA Swanage (see sample menu).
Meal plans range from bed and breakfast up to full-board catering. Vegetarian options are available and we aim to cater for any special dietary requests.
There is parking at the hostel.
YHA Swanage holds a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge (105573).
This accreditation means that this hostel has externally audited risk assessments, verified insurance provision, quality checked safety logs and delivery observed by national reviewers.
Reception opening hours: From 07:30 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 22:00.
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests daily from 07:30 – 09:00.
Licensed bar: This hostel has a licensed bar offering a range of alcohol and soft drinks. It is not possible for guests to bring their own alcohol, except when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire.
Self-catering : Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: There is parking at the hostel.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
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Volunteering with YHA is a fantastic way to have fun, learn new skills, boost your CV and travel to different places. We have a variety of different opportunities to choose from and volunteering roles to suit everyone.
The tasks are varied and in return you will meet some great people, who both work and stay in our hostels, as well as enjoying your time off discovering the local area and attractions.
Find out more and apply to volunteer.
This fine seaside villa was built by the Captain of the Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s colossal ship ‘The Great Eastern’; Sir James Anderson. He built the house with the proceeds of laying the first ever transatlantic cable from Ireland to the Americas, thus connecting the old world with the new worlds. During WWI the house became a Red Cross hospital for soldiers returning from Europe. YHA has owned this fine building since 1949. The wood panelling in the building is believed to have come from the old English courts of law.