Pictures of Swanage

in the county of Dorset

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About Swanage

Casting a glance around this popular coastal resort town few would imagine Swanage Bay to have been the scene of a fierce naval battle in which King Alfred was victorious over the Danes in 877. These days it is a happy, orderly, coastal holiday resort of immense charm which attracts families and visiting yachtsmen. Swanage Bay is excellent for sea-sports, bathing is mostly safe except in the area close to Ballard Cliff, for the sea here can sometimes be treacherous. There is a good diving school operating from the pier, boats can be hired and deep sea fishing trips can be arranged.

The town is wedged between towering downs that result in lofty cliffs at both ends of the bay, from these high vantage points there are spectacular views across the sea and over the calm countryside of the beautiful Isle of Purbeck. Winding, switchback streets, weave down to a pretty town with the usual collection of sea-side shops, inns and restaurants. There are a few pieces of grand 'showpiece' architecture in Swanage. The Town Hall, built in 1883 has a fascia which was once the front to the Mercers Hall in Cheapside, London. Built of stone, it is reputed to have been designed by Sir Christopher Wren-it is perfectly proportioned, reflecting the classical elegance of Wren's designs. The Wellington Clock Tower is also from London, it was brought to Swanage in 1867. The 13th-century church dedicated to St.Mary the Virgin is the resorts oldest building. Standing next to the Millpond it occupies one of the resorts finest locations.

This is a small town that offers every kind of experience, a visit to nearby Durlston Country Park reveals 280 acres of natural countryside, coastal-cliffs, haymeadows, woods and limestone downland. It is home to a variety of wildlife including sea-birds, butterflies and other creatures of the wild. The park is rich with natural plants, delicate wild flowers thrive in hedgerows and in spring the ground beneath the woods is carpeted with pretty bluebells. On a sunny day there are fantastic views, clear blue skies reflect in an azure sea, tinged gold by the rays of the sun. Durlston is a lovely place, perfect for all the family.

Places to visit include: Corfe Castle, The Church of St.Mary the Virgin, Swanage Railway, The Coach House Museum, Studland Bay and Durlston Country Park.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Swanage

Durlston Country Park	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)	Pictures
Anvil Point Lighthouse	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)	Pictures
Studland Beach & Nature Reserve	(2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction N)	Pictures
Winspit	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Isle of Purbeck	(3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction NW)	Pictures
St. Aldhelm's Head & Chapel	(4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Corfe Castle	(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Brownsea Island	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
The Blue Pool	(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Arne RSPB Reserve	(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Compton Acres Gardens	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N)	Pictures
Grange Arch	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
The Bournemouth Eye	(8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum	(8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Upton House & Country Park	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction N)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near Swanage

Langton Matravers, in the county of Dorset (1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction W)
This is an interesting old village with access to one of the loveliest stretches of the Dorset coast.
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Studland, in the county of Dorset (2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction N)
Beyond the woods, heaths and downs of Dorset lies a fascinating coastline with a hinterland of precious little villages, such a village is Studland which sits close to the wide sweep of picturesque Studland Bay, which belongs to the National Trust.
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Worth Matravers, in the county of Dorset (3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction W)
Picturesque Dorset village with a history pre-dating Roman times as evidenced by the medieval lynchets cut into the steep hillsides.
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Corfe Castle, a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset (4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction NW)
Below the castle, the village of Corfe shows picturesque stone houses of the 17th-century.
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Sandbanks, in the county of Dorset (5.4 miles, 8.8 km, direction N)
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Furzebrook, in the county of Dorset (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction NW)
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Kimmeridge, in the county of Dorset (6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction W)
A popular place for surfers and diving enthusiasts, Kimmeridge is a small town along the Purbeck Coast in Dorset.
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Poole, in the county of Dorset (7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction N)
Three miles of golden beaches extending from Sandbanks to Brankesome Dene Chine and on towards Bournemouth, ensure an enjoyable time for families and sun-worshippers alike.
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Bournemouth, in the county of Dorset (8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction NE)
Seven miles of glorious golden sands, fringed by the bluest of seas lapping the shore, make Bournemouth a firm favourite for family holidays.
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Southbourne, in the county of Dorset (11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction NE)
Southbourne is a sedate coastal resort lying close to the mouth of the River Stour, just a few minutes drive from its more famous...
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Christchurch, in the county of Dorset (12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction NE)
Christchurch is one of Dorset's "gems" it is set on the confluence of two rivers, the Stour and the Avon. In Saxon times it was...
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West Lulworth, in the county of Dorset (12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction W)
One of the most visited geological areas of Britain, Lulworth Cove has recently been placed into the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline.
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Mudeford, in the county of Dorset (12.8 miles, 20.7 km, direction NE)
Picturesque holiday resort nestling at the point where the River Avon rushes into the sea at Christchurch Bay.
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Hurn, in the county of Dorset (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction NE)
This is a pretty Dorset village with pleasant period buildings from the 18th-century.
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Wimborne Minster, a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset (13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction N)
Wimborne Minster is a magnificent Georgian town in the valley of the delightful River Stour.
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Nearby travel help

Parkstone Station	(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction N)
Poole Station	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction N)
Bournemouth Airport	(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction NE)
M27 Junction 1	(27.2 miles, 43.8 km, direction NE)
M27 Junction 2	(30.3 miles, 48.8 km, direction NE)
Southampton Airport	(35.9 miles, 57.8 km, direction NE)
Swanage to London	(101.5 miles, 163.3 km, direction NE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Swanage

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Swanage center
Louisa Lodge & Purbeck House Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
Purbeck House Hotel & Louisa Lodge	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
The Haven	(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction N)
Sandbanks Hotel	(6.2 miles, 10.1 km, direction N)
Harbour Heights Hotel	(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction N)
Salterns Harbourside Hotel	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N)
Thistle Poole	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction N)
The Best Western Mansion House	(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction N)
The Antelope	(7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction N)
Express By Holiday Inn Poole	(7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction N)
All hotels in Swanage