18 Attractions to Explore Near Swanage Bay
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Swanage Pier TrustSwanage Pier is one of only a few timber piers in the UK. It is under constant threat from a challenging marine environment and from the gribble worm, the microscopic bug that can reduce the vertical piles to a fraction of their width over time. Until the 1950s, it was a diving platform for Swanage Swimming Club. It is now derelict. A few piles are visible to the east of the ‘new’ pier.
Swanage RailwayThe Swanage Railway offers a more intensive heritage steam and diesel timetable train service than virtually any other preserved railway. It is is one of Britain’s most popular heritage railways, with steam trains running every day between April and October.
Durlston Country Park and National Nature ReserveDurlston Country Park is a 320-acre country park and nature reserve. The Park is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and has been owned by Dorset County Council since the early 1970s. the country park is a 280-acre countryside paradise with stunning views, hay meadows and coastal downland, the historic Great Globe, and a wealth of bird and wildlife including regular sightings of dolphins. There are numerous walking trails to explore.
Durlston CastleDurlston Castle and Country Park, situated 1 mile from Swanage in Dorset, is a fabulous 320-acre countryside paradise. At this National Nature Reserve, you'll find dramatic sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, hay meadows, hedgerows, and woodland. The Castle itself has unparalleled views from the clifftops over Durlston Bay and across to the Isle of Wight, with many couples choosing to have their ceremony in the glass-sided Belvedere room on top of the Castle, followed by their reception in
Old Harry RocksA spectacular cliff formation Standing tall on Handfast Point at the southern end of Studland Bay is one of the most famous landmarks on the South Coast – Old Harry. They are part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and are managed by the National Trust. One of the iconic location where you can spend some nice time.
Dancing LedgeDancing Ledge is one of the south coast’s best wild swimming spots. It’s not an easy place to reach. Dancing Ledge is so called because at certain stages of the tide when the waves wash over the horizontal surface, the surface undulations cause the water to bob about making the ledge appear to dance.
Isle of PurbeckThe Isle of Purbeck is a peninsula located in south Dorset. The area is home to some of the country’s most well-loved towns and landmarks including Swanage, Lulworth Cove, Corfe Castle, and Durdle Door. One of the unique attractions in this area and it is a nice place to Relax on the beach, explore the South West Coast Path, hunt for dinosaur fossils, or just sit back and enjoy the views of the world-famous Jurassic Coast.
Winspit QuarryWinspit is a disused quarry to the South of Worth Matravers on the coast of the Isle of Purbeck. You’d be forgiven for thinking that sounds as interesting as water in a ditch. Forgiven, but wrong nonetheless. The quarry is now a lesser-known tourist attraction. Recently many of Winspit's caves have been closed off for public safety and bat conservation.
National Trust - Corfe CastleCorfe Castle stand on a natural hill guarding the principal route through the Purbeck Hills. As you can see it guards the gap between the south of Purbeck, where Purbeck marble was once quarried, and the rest of England. Nothing could pass in or out without going past the Castle. The castle dates to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. It is protected as a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Sandbanks BeachSandbanks is a small peninsula crossing the mouth of Poole Harbour. It is of the highest quality with fine golden sand and sparkling clean waters, perfect for a family day out at the seaside. One of the iconic location for a day out with family and also you can spend some nice time there.
Brownsea IslandBrownsea Island is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour in the county of Dorset, England. The island is owned by the National Trust. The island sits in the middle of Poole Harbour, with dramatic views of the Purbeck Hills. Thriving natural habitats, including woodland, heathland and a lagoon, have created havens for wildlife, such as the red squirrel and a huge variety of birds, including the sandwich tern.
Poole HarbourPoole is Europe's largest natural harbor and a stunning location for all types of watersports fringed with unspoilt woodland and coastal walks. It is made up of many different habitats, which in turn provides a stunning variety of birdlife throughout the entire year. It is one of several which lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world".
RSPB ArneArne RSPB reserve is a 5.634-square-kilometer nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest maintained by the RSPB and located in Dorset. Arne is celebrated for its lowland heathland (which is rare in Europe) and its wildlife including Dartford warblers, nightjars, all six species of British reptile, plus many species of butterflies, dragonflies, and moths. It is also home to nearly 500 types of a flowering plants.
Compton AcresCompton Acres is one of the finest privately owned gardens in the South of England. Comprising a series of classical themed gardens, each providing an attractive and unique variety of ornamental plants from around the world, cared for by a team of professional gardeners. Enjoy over 10 acres of horticultural heaven, relax in our charming Café & Tea Rooms, browse the treasures in our Gifted Moment store or delve into the exciting world of plants within our Plant Centre.
The Blue PoolBlue Pool is a flooded, disused clay pit where Purbeck ball clay was once extracted. It is now a lake within the Furzebrook Estate. The Pool is surrounded by 25 acres of heath, woodland and gorse interlaced with sandy paths that seem to take you to another world. The Green Route includes steps up to views of the Purbeck Hills or down to the edge of the Pool.
Poole MuseumA local history museum situated on the Lower High Street in the Old Town area of Poole. It illustrates the story of the town and its people. The centrepiece of the museum is the 2,000-year-old Poole Logboat, an Iron Age vessel that was found in 1964 during dredging work in Poole Harbour. there has been an exhibition showcasing finds from the Swash Channel Wreck, one of the most important shipwrecks found in British waters and so more to see inside.
Alum Chine BeachAlum Chine Beach is probably one of Bournemouth's favourite Blue Flag award winning beaches, particularly loved by the locals for its wide, exceptionally clean, sandy and shingle beaches situated further to the West of Bournemouth, away from the hustle and bustle of Bournemouth Pier and the town centre.
Poole ParkPoole Park is an urban park adjacent to Poole Harbour in Poole. The park was opened during the Victorian era and has remained popular with visitors ever since. It is a great venue for relaxing and playing and covers an area of more than 100 acres, 60 acres of which - unusually for an urban space - comprise freshwater and brackish lakes.
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Swanage BaySwanage is the most easterly town on the Jurassic Coast, and its gently shelving sandy beach and sheltered waters have made it a popular destination for families since Victorian times. Despite being just six miles from the urban expanse of Poole and Bournemouth, Swanage feels a world away, and retains a sense of bustling but easy-going seaside charm. The beach also holds the prestigious blue flag for beach cleanliness.