Places to stay in Swanage

Five free things to do in Swanage

Hit the beach

The sloping white sand beach of Swanage is a great place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. What's more, it is also very sheltered and the generally calm waters are great for paddling with the kids.

Town trails

There's more to this little old town than you may think, and local guides will take you around what was once known as Little London by the Sea.

Walk in the steps of dinosaurs

The Jurassic Coast is so-named because of the huge many dinosaur fossils and footprints found in the rock. A walk along this beautiful coastline is one of discovery.

Durlston

A short walk up the hill from Swanage is Durlston Country Park, home to Durlston Castle, the 40-tonne Great Globe and some beautiful gardens. The castle itself also hosts many different exhibits to discover.

Mountain biking

If you fancy some off-road action, there are plenty of great mountain biking routes in the surrounding hills, while YHA Swanage has ample cycle storage.

The beautiful coastal town of Swanage

Swanage is a small town on the Dorset coast. Originally built up around the local fishing and quarrying industries, it has since developed into an extremely popular tourist resort, with pristine beaches and other attractions drawing in thousands of visitors each year.

The Victorian pier, local steam railway and nearby Corfe Castle all provide points of interest for visitors, along with the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. If you're looking for a relaxing coastal break, Swanage is an ideal choice.