Swanage, Dorset

Explore Swanage Beaches and Coastline

Swanage is a seaside town on the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck, in Dorset. Swanage started out as a small port and fishing village, and in the Victorian era, it became a significant quarrying (Purbeck marble and stone) port and later a seaside resort. Today the town is a popular seaside resort, with visitors coming to the town for the bay's sandy beaches and attractions like Pier and nearby Corfe Castle. As well as visiting for the main town beaches you have a few nice villages to explore like Kingston, Worth Matravers and Langton Matravers. If you like walking or exploring then the The Smugglers Way is a 4.8km (3 mile) circular walk near Swanage, starting at Worth Matravers, then travels to Winspit Quarry and along the South West Coast Path to Seacombe. The trail was once used by Smugglers who would store their smuggled goods in the hidden caves and tunnels along the remote coastline. You get some spectacular sea cliffs and hidden coves along the way.


Why not check beaches nearby as we have 57 beaches in Dorset. You can even take a look at our list of Dorset dog friendly beaches or even our United Kingdom Blue Flag beach list.

Swanage Dorset Coast Map

Swanage Dorset Coast Search Bar

Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:

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Want some ideas on where to visit?

Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, and places to stay and eat:

beach hut

Studland Bay Beach Huts

Studland Bay has over 250 beach huts of which some 50 are available for rent from the National Trust. The huts vary in location in that some are on the beach edge overlooking Studland Bay whilst others are set back and more secluded among the sand dunes. Rent can be daily or weekly from Saturday to Friday. Read more…
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Chapmans Pool Beach

Chapman’s Pool is is a small cove backed by cliffs on the Isle of Purbeck near the village of Worth Matravers. You could describe this as a much smaller Lulworth Cove. The beach is a mix of sand, shingles and rocks and it is advised to have beach shoes. The beach has no facilities and the nearest car parking is Read more…
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Durlstone Head Globe

The Durlstone Head Globe is on the cliffs of Durlston Head and is often refered to as the “Large Globe” or the “Great Globe”. Erected 1891 the globe is constructed of Portland stone, weighs about 40 tonnes, is 3 metres (10 ft) in diameter and surrounded by a circle of cast iron railings. At the base is a tablet recording distances Read more…
Swanage-pier

Swanage pier

The original Swanage Pier was built between 1859 and 1860 for use primarily by the local stone quarrying industry, and included a tramway which ran the length of the pier and some way along the seafront. The old tracks can be seen to this day, inset into the seafront walkways. Read more…
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Swanage North Beach

The North beach at Swanage is still part of the main Swanage Bay but you are a little further away from the main town and a little less crowded. Read more…
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Kimmeridge Bay Beach

Kimmeridge Bay is part of the Jurassic Coast. This is not a sandy beach but a mixture of sand, pebbles, boulders and shale. Although not sandy it does offer swimming and excellent rock pools. Rocky limestone reefs make the area a key habitat and the bay is a designated Marine Nature Reserve and exhibitions of local marine wildlife at the Read more…
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Swanage lifeboat station

Swanage lifeboat station was established in 1875 and operates inshore and all weather lifeboats. Station open Mon-Fri, April – September. Read more…
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Dancing Ledge Beach

Dancing Ledge is not so much a beach but an old quarry floor. There are no beaches on this stretch of coastline but this is popular as you can get down to sea level. Some good swimming from the rocks but care needs to be taken. No facilities available. Read more…
Place to eat

Bull and Boat Beach Bar and Bistro

Beach: Swanage Beach View: Situated right on Swanage seafront with views down the sandy beach and across the bay. What’s on the menu?: Serving light lunches, bistro dinner or a tapas menu using fresh local produce. Extensive menu for vegetarians. Read more…
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Anvil Point Lighthouse

Built from local stone, Anvil Point Lighthouse was completed in 1881 and opened by Neville Chamberlain’s father, then Minister of Transport. Anvil Point is sometimes referred to as Durlston Lighthouse. The light is positioned to give a waypoint for vessels on passage along the English Channel coast. To the west, it gives a clear line from Portland Bill and to Read more…
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Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle once controlled the Isle of Purbeck, a thousand-year-old castle, that was destroyed during the English Civil War when Parliamentary forces sieged the castle that was only taken over after betrayal within. The wife of Sir John Bankes led the defence and gained the name ‘Brave Dame Mary’. Corfe Castle is roughly triangular in shape and started existence in Read more…
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Swanage Central Beach

The Central beach at Swanage is a great family beach set within a Victorian town with a pier. Swanage is a nice traditional family seaside resort whilst the beach is a sandy beach and is part of a larger stretch of sand that lasts for approximately 2km. Facilities include pier, promenade, cafes/restaurants, shops, children’s play area, beach huts, seasonal lifeguards, Read more…
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