Locality
Swanage is situated on the Isle of Purbeck, an area of outstanding natural beauty in south east Dorset. The
wonderful Purbeck Hills are ever present in the views from Swanage.
The Jurassic
Coast, the name given to the magnificent coastline between
Old Harry Rocks, just north of Swanage, and Orcombe Point, Devon,
is a World Heritage Site.
Relax on the glorious sandy beaches of Swanage Bay - Bella
Vista is only eighty yards from the nicest beach in Swanage. Enjoy the
traditional English seaside with Punch and Judy shows on the beach.
Discover some of London's old buildings brought to
Swanage stone by stone by local benefactor and industrialist John Mowlem in the nineteenth century and
re-erected in Swanage, including The Clock Tower near the pier.
Walk the Dorset Coast Path (it passes our front door)
to Old Harry Rocks and take in the stunning views from Ballard Down. Or
enjoy one of the finest walks in the country from Swanage to Corfe Castle across
Nine Barrow Down - come back by steam train!
On the other side of Swanage lies Durlston Country Park
with its nature trails and remarkable cliffs. Visit the Park Centre and
hear dolphins and undersea noises on the hydrophone.
At the centre of Purbeck lies the stone village of
Corfe Castle dominated by the dramatic ruins of the castle.
The town is steeped in history - in 978
the Saxon St Edward the Martyr was murdered here on
the orders of his step-mother. The castle, held by Lady Bankes for the
King during the English Civil War, was captured by Parliamentarians in 1646 and
'slighted' (destroyed).
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