About Swanage & Purbeck

When it comes to leisure and entertainment, Swanage has something to please everyone.

Who can resist miles of sandy beaches, coastal scenery that will make you gasp as well as some of the most unspoilt countryside in England - this is the Isle of Purbeck.

Swanage itself makes an excellent base for exploring the area and there are loads of things for the whole family to enjoy - we've listed just a few here to whet your appetites!

Swanage Railway Station is a fantastic place to begin your adventure for fun or nostalgia. From here, steam trains travel through magnificent scenery on a restored standard guage line to the picturesque village of Corfe Castle. Watersports in Swanage bay are popular with novices and experts alike. The area excells as a watersports centre where you can safely sail and windsurf, or learn to scuba-dive and waterski with approved tuition from the seaschools at the pierhead.

Pleasure Cruises, sometimes aboard veteran motor vessels and, occasionally, the historic paddle steamer 'Waverley', depart from the newly restored pier daily throughout the season, sailing to Brownsea Island, Poole, Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. Regular cruises also operate from the Quay where sea angling trips can be booked and motor boats hired. Non-landing scenic cruises provide excellent views of Purbeck's outstanding coastline, a glimpse of Swanage's stone quarrying history at Durlston Head and, if you're lucky, Bottle-nosed dolphins and Puffins.

Durlston Country Park lies on the clifftop to the south of the town, 263 acres of delightful countryside for walking, picknicking, or just relaxing. At the Park Centre all ages can learn about the fascinating local ecology and wildlife, watch Durlston's nationally important Guillemot colony live on TV and listen to sounds from the seabed picked up by an underwater microphone.

The Mowlem Theatre presents a varied programme of films, shows and plays throughout the year, to suit children and grandma alike.

The Vista complex at Swanage Caravan Park is a family entertainment centre boasting a heated indoor pool, skittle alley, indoor bowls complex and 'trimnasium'.

At the Beach Gardens Sports Park are all weather tennis courts, outdoor bowls and an 18 hole putting course.

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