Louise's Guidebook
Food Scene
The best coffee and vegan /vegatarian food in town, with great staff and atmosphere, plus a lovely sunny courtyard. Only open until 3pm
28 locals recommend
Java Independent Coffee House
Unit 3 Commercial RdThe best coffee and vegan /vegatarian food in town, with great staff and atmosphere, plus a lovely sunny courtyard. Only open until 3pm
Photo doesn't do it justice. Fabulous food and decor with a small outside seating area in the quaint and historical village of Corfe Castle, which is 5 miles from Swanage. Open daytime as a cafe /tearoom and evenings as a restaurant .
9 locals recommend
The Pink Goat Corfe Castle
5 West StPhoto doesn't do it justice. Fabulous food and decor with a small outside seating area in the quaint and historical village of Corfe Castle, which is 5 miles from Swanage. Open daytime as a cafe /tearoom and evenings as a restaurant .
Superb evening pub food and atmosphere in this freehold pub, just 5 mins walk from your accommodation. Lovely big garden. Early booking always advisable, phone after 5.30.
37 locals recommend
Black Swan Inn
159 High StreetSuperb evening pub food and atmosphere in this freehold pub, just 5 mins walk from your accommodation. Lovely big garden. Early booking always advisable, phone after 5.30.
Chilled Red
1-5 Commercial RdBest evening restaurant in town.
Pretty vintage surroundings, quality food and service in the lovely village of Worth Matravers which is 4 miles from Swanage. You can walk or cycke along the ancient priests way path , to get there.
12 locals recommend
Worth Matravers Tea & Supper Room
Weston RoadPretty vintage surroundings, quality food and service in the lovely village of Worth Matravers which is 4 miles from Swanage. You can walk or cycke along the ancient priests way path , to get there.
The Salt Pig
6 North StAll locally sourced, quality seasonal food.
Castaway
67 High StExcellent value, home cooked food. Take your own wine.
The Pig on the Beach
Manor RoadThe 1859 Pier Cafe & Bistro
Swanage PierFabulous cakes and scrumptious lunches. Very popular with the locals.
38 locals recommend
Love Cake Etc
42 High StFabulous cakes and scrumptious lunches. Very popular with the locals.
Gee Whites Seafood Restaurant
1 High StSimple fare available spring until autumn on the prom at North Beach. Lots of outside covered seating also available.
8 locals recommend
The Cabin
Burlington RoadSimple fare available spring until autumn on the prom at North Beach. Lots of outside covered seating also available.
The Ship Inn
23A High StNihal Spice
69 High StreetGolden Bengal
343 High StWok Chef Chinese Take Away
193 High StreetElizabeths Tea & Coffee Shop
45 Station RdThe Fox Inn
The Italian Bakery
25 North StQuality bakery opposite the Mowlem Theatre
The Cake House - East Creech Tea Room
Clavell's Restaurant
The Priory Hotel
Church GreenFor luxury fine dining
The Anchor Inn
30-32 High StPier Head
Sport /watersport
Fore/Adventure
Beach RoadLand & Wave
Victoria AvenueThis is based just the other side of Corfe Castle village, at Nordon Park and ride. There are several mapped routes from there, of varying lengths, both on and off road.
10 locals recommend
Cyclexperience Bike Hire
A351This is based just the other side of Corfe Castle village, at Nordon Park and ride. There are several mapped routes from there, of varying lengths, both on and off road.
This is two minutes away and has a swimming pool, gym and lots of fitness classes available to non residents
Swanage Bay View Holiday Home Park
Panorama RoadThis is two minutes away and has a swimming pool, gym and lots of fitness classes available to non residents
Lulworth Outdoors
Main RoadCumulus Outdoors
Cobblers LaneOpen to non members to give it a try, on Tuesday eves and Saturday mornings. See Website for details.
SwanageSea Rowing Club
Marshall RowOpen to non members to give it a try, on Tuesday eves and Saturday mornings. See Website for details.
Trekking on heathland and sometimes the beach, with stunning views of the harbour and hills.
12 locals recommend
Studland Trekking Centre
Ferry RoadTrekking on heathland and sometimes the beach, with stunning views of the harbour and hills.
Arts and crafts
Lovely little complex of local art and craft beside the picturesque,Corfe Castle, steam railway station.
Boilerhouse Gallery
Sandy Hill LaneLovely little complex of local art and craft beside the picturesque,Corfe Castle, steam railway station.
The Mulberry Tree Gallery
57 High StQuarr Gallery
17 High StPurbeck New Wave Gallery
43a High StThe Creative Gallery
Saint John's HillThe Gallery at 41
41 East StPurbeck Artisan Yard
Church StreetGrange Gallery & Cafe Grange
12 Grange RdA truly serene place where nature and art coexist in perfect harmony.
67 locals recommend
Sculpture by the Lakes
A truly serene place where nature and art coexist in perfect harmony.
Sightseeing
Durlston Castle
Lighthouse RoadOld Harry Rocks
Lulworth Cove
Durdle Door
Swanage Railway station
Station RoadVisit this pretty cottage and garden, where Thomas Hardy was born, raised and became a writer and poet . Set in woodland with lovely walks
62 locals recommend
Hardys Cottage
Visit this pretty cottage and garden, where Thomas Hardy was born, raised and became a writer and poet . Set in woodland with lovely walks
This church is known for its beautiful etched windows by Lawrence Whistler. Also,'Lawrence of Arabia' is buried in the village graveyard.
7 locals recommend
Saint Nicholas Church
This church is known for its beautiful etched windows by Lawrence Whistler. Also,'Lawrence of Arabia' is buried in the village graveyard.
Swanage Pier
Swanage PierInfamous ruined castle destroyed by Oliver Cromwell's army, now owned by the National Trust
39 locals recommend
Corfe Castle Cafe
The SquareInfamous ruined castle destroyed by Oliver Cromwell's army, now owned by the National Trust
Kingston Maurward Park and Gardens
Lulworth Castle Wareham
Entertainment
Operates weekly as a cinema showing current films and occasional theatre shows
18 locals recommend
The Mowlem Theatre
Shore RoadOperates weekly as a cinema showing current films and occasional theatre shows
The White Swan
31 High StLive music most weekend evenings
The White Horse Inn swanage
11 High StLive music most weekends
The Rex Cinema
14 West StYou may be lucky and catch an amazing touring show in a variety of village halls in Dorset.
Artsreach
Barrack RoadYou may be lucky and catch an amazing touring show in a variety of village halls in Dorset.
Nature
Discovery center, National trust, Studland
Fabulous nature reserve with a information centre and a full programme of organised walks and events all year round and all just a short walk from your accomodation
81 locals recommend
Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve
Lighthouse RoadFabulous nature reserve with a information centre and a full programme of organised walks and events all year round and all just a short walk from your accomodation
RSPB Arne
Arne RoadHome to many rare native reptiles and heathland plants. Remember to tread respectfully on this precious land.
Hartland Moor National Nature Reserve
Home to many rare native reptiles and heathland plants. Remember to tread respectfully on this precious land.
Studland and Godlingston Heath National Nature Reserve
Durlston Country Park
Lighthouse RoadCareys Secret Garden
Garden WoodMuseum
The Tank Museum
Linsay RoadThe Keep Military Museum
Bridport RoadDorset County Museum
High West StreetThe Purbeck Stone Museum
Saint George's CloseSwanage Museum
The SquareHardys Cottage
The Dinosaur Museum
Icen WayTutankhamun Exhibition
25 High W StTolpuddle Martyrs Museum
Dorchester Road