Location: Swanage
Top Things to do in Swanage
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What to do and see in Swanage, England: The Best Things to do Good for Couples
Swanage was a popular seaside resort in Victorian times, and families today continue to enjoy its shallow, calm beach. The recently restored Swanage Pier is a popular spot for fishing. Diving trips and boat tours also depart from here. Don’t miss a trip through the local countryside on the Swanage Steam Railway.
Restaurants in Swanage
1. Studland Sea School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
At Studland Sea School we offer a wide range of kayaking tours and hire, kayak fishing, coasteering and snorkeling catering for all levels of ability. If you want to try out a new activity then come and see us, our expert BSAC and BCU Level 3 instructors are here to help you whatever your level of experience is.
2. Jurassic Watersports
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Jurassic Watersports offers half day or full day adventure packages along the Jurassic Coast. We offer activities such as, coasteering, kayaking, giant standup paddleboarding, archery tag.
3. Burngate Stone Carving Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Located in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, Burngate provides facilities and expert tuition in traditional stone carving skills for residents and visitors.Description A varied programme of courses and activities with something to suit everyone from 6 years to 80+. The location is inspirational, and the surrounding landscape is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is also part of the Jurassic coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have a small, friendly tearoom serving tea, coffee, homemade Dorset apple cake, and local Purbeck ice cream. Sit back and relax in the peace and quiet. We have gallery space exhibiting a variety of arts, crafts and sculpture by local artists and sculptors.General information. We run Have-a-Go carving sessions - two hours of fun! Ideal for all ages whatever the weather.Courses to suit all levels of experience. Courses include: Freeform Carving, Relief and Intro to Stone Carving, Ideal for individuals, family/groups/corporate.
Reviewed By dianeaB5223WJ
Fantastic morning. 2 hours learning to do the basics with Jigger . Thoroughly enjoyed every minute learning new skills. Excellent morning day out and beautiful views
4. Fore/Adventure
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 388 reviews
Fore / Adventure in Studland is the closest outdoor provider to Old Harry Rocks, here we offer a whole host of activities aswell as our signature Old Harry Rocks Kayaking Trips. Join us for a unique outdoor adventure from foraging to fishing, kayaking to snorkelling, bushcraft to beach school, wild food to wild camping and more, all from our unique location in Studland, Dorset. Fore / Adventure host two hour taster sessions to three day expeditions for all ages and abilities, getting closer to nature by sea kayak and enjoying the fruits of natures larder through foraging to give you the freedom and a sense of escapism for those precious hours or days you find yourselves here. Our special wild food adventures in Dorset have been aired on ITV and Channel 4 and featured in The Telegraph, The Guardian and Conde Naste Magazine.
Reviewed By 661charlottet - Upminster, United Kingdom
Wonderful kayak tour with Elliot where we learned a great deal about the history of Studland bay and the importance of marine preservation there, as well as having a lot of fun and a good work out! Perfect thing to do with teens on a wet or sunny day
5. Studland to Swanage Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 68 reviews
A spectacular walk on the South West Coast Path that takes you from the village of Studland past the famous landmark of Old Harry – the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site - and on to Swanage.
Reviewed By davidgZ9308PO - Crowthorne, United Kingdom
We walked from South beach car park up to Old Harry's Rocks then up to Ballard Down , then back to the village. The views are amazing and although you are ascending all the time, it is quite gentle climb. Worth going early to get parked but also before the crowds
6. H2oadventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
H2oadventures is ready to offer you amazing adventures along the Jurassic coast. With British Canoeing coaches and guides you can chose from a 2 hour guided kayaking trip in Swanage to something a little wilder heading out to the seas along the Jurassic coast. Poole Harbour is the perfect location for a day trip taking in all the islands and water wildlife including the Harbour's very own seals. Never Been kayaking before ? Don't know one end of a kayak paddle to the other ? Don't worry you are in safe hands. Being British canoeing qualified coach you can come down for a taster session and if you love it book on for one of our British canoeing courses. Why not stay with us in Dorset during your stay at our very own glamping site. Full facilities on site to make your stay even more enjoyable. onsite we have our very own Axe throwing area and Bushcraft . Lets make your Jurassic adventure one you will never forget.
7. Durlston Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,145 reviews
Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve is the perfect place to start exploring Dorset’s Jurassic coast. Acres of wildflower meadows, sea cliffs, woodland, superb coastal walking and spectacular views await you. Durlston Castle also offers gallery exhibitions, the Seventhwave Café and visitor’s shop. A ranger is always on hand to help you get the most out of your day. Owned and managed by Dorset Council.
Reviewed By johnwF5100AB - Haversham, United Kingdom
Durston Country Park is situated on the cliffs with stunning views over Swanage Bay to Old Harry Rocks with Bournemouth & the Isle of Wight beyond. For the price of a car park ticket you can stroll around the beautiful grounds & enjoy dramatic sea views and a large variety of birds, insects, animals, plants flowers & trees making it a great experience for all. The Castle has a shop, restaurant/cafe with inside & outside seating, permanent as well as varying exhibitions of local art & photography and interesting educational features for kids of all ages. On this year's holiday we had breakfast there four times as it really is such a special place. Due to pesky Covid restrictions access to the lavatories is currently quite convoluted and although acccess for all has been improved this year the walks are hilly in places. Small prices to pay for such a special experience, take a camera and binoculars if you have them and you definitely won't regret it.
8. Swanage Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,035 reviews
The Swanage Railway provides an ideal way to get to the beach without the need to park in Swanage. Simply leave your car at Purbeck Park, next to Norden station, which is conveniently located just off the A351 north of Corfe Castle, and start your holiday early!
9. Studland beach and Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,317 reviews
Reviewed By kurti5
Great place to take dogs, there’s plenty of beach for them to play on without getting in peoples way, the beach is clean, the sea is clear and there’s a variety of water sports such as pédalos, kayaks and paddle boards.
10. The Square and Compass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 346 reviews
Reviewed By marknall70 - Winchester, United Kingdom
Super walker's rest with honest home-cooked pasties & great beer. Live music and heaps of unspoilt, smuggler's-inn character. After a blowy dog-walk via Dancing Ledge the Square & Compass is a welcome sight after the stiff pull up Seacombe Bottom (a valley named to keep 12 year old boys giggling all the way up the hill.) If you're looking for a "typical" 21st century gastropub lunch you're in the wrong pub - but then there's a million places you can find that. The tiny low-beamed rooms, stone flags & rough tables are a real step back in time. There's no bar - just two serving hatches into a cellar room where the beers are gravity-poured. We were there on a Sunday afternoon and it was packed inside & out with an eclectic & good-humoured crowd, bolstered by the hipster fans of a very good, young country-ish band playing in the main lounge, live music always a great surprise. The pasties were home-cooked with excellent pastry and served piping hot, really quickly & by friendly staff. Had a couple of pints of excellently kept best bitter & younger children loved the Palmers Ginger Beer. It was a wrench to leave the fireside for a quick turn around the fascinating higgeldy-piggeldy fossil & antiquities museum and then squeeze our way back through the narrow passageways & out to a blusterous return walk. Our hound was amongst many friends - certainly a dog-friendly establishment. Worth bearing in mind the Square & Compass is tiny & very popular, we were lucky to get a table inside but you'd need to go prepared to eat at one of the many outdoor tables, enjoying fabulously airy views across the surrounding countryside & out to sea and of course the weather you'd expect to go with such an impressive situation! Will definitely be back.
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