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Heritage railway
Swanage Railway
Steam and diesel trains run between Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage, with stops at Harman’s Cross and Herston Halt.
A mini guide to
Swanage, Studland & Purbeck
A Victorian seaside town, a ruined castle and the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast
Photos
1 / 9Welcome to the area
A Victorian seaside town, a ruined castle and the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast
Swanage sits at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck, a peninsula that is not quite an island. Wikipedia describes a small port and fishing village that became a quarrying port and then a Victorian resort. Visit Dorset calls the steam-railway terminus the eastern gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
North of the town, Studland has a long beach and nature reserve, and Old Harry Rocks mark the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast. Inland, Corfe Castle stands in a gap in the Purbeck Hills. To the west, Kimmeridge Bay and the Etches Collection museum, Dancing Ledge and Worth Matravers are on the coast path.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Castle ruin
Corfe Castle
Norman castle ruin above the village, in a gap in the Purbeck Hills; besieged twice in the Civil War and now National Trust.
Country park
Durlston Country Park
Clifftop nature reserve south of Swanage with Durlston Castle, the Great Globe, walks and sea views.
Directions Website Report a problem with Durlston Country Park
Victorian pier
Swanage Pier
Pier built in 1895 for passenger steamers, now looked after by a charitable trust; open to walkers and anglers.
Beach
Studland Beach
Long sandy beach on Studland Bay at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, backed by dunes and heath.
Chalk sea stacks
Old Harry Rocks
Chalk stack and stump at Handfast Point, marking the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast; reached on foot.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Swanage, Studland & Purbeck and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Ride the railway
The Swanage Railway runs steam and diesel trains from Norden to Swanage via Corfe Castle, and its site says there is parking at Purbeck Park next to Norden station. Check its timetable before you plan the day around it.
2
Leave the cliff edges alone
Visit Dorset advises staying away from any cliff edge and from the base of cliffs, because rock falls can happen at any time. Check current advice before fossil hunting or walking below cliffs.
3
Kimmeridge has a fossil museum
Visit Dorset says fossils on most Dorset beaches are not safe or not allowed to collect. At Kimmeridge the Etches Collection shows fossils found on the local coast and will say what a find might be.
4
Walk one section, bus back
Visit Dorset says the Purbeck Breezer and the Jurassic Coaster buses suit walkers who want to do one stretch of the South West Coast Path and return by bus.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Swanage, Studland & Purbeck (area photo): Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Swanage Railway: LordHarris at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Corfe Castle: Chin tin tin, CC BY 3.0, source
- Durlston Country Park: Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Swanage Pier: Daniel Schmidt, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Studland Beach: Malc McDonald, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Old Harry Rocks: Jim Champion, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Kimmeridge Bay: David Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- The Etches Collection: Jpbowen, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Corfe Castle Model Village: Chris Gorringe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Dancing Ledge: JimChampion, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Chapman’s Pool: Tanya Hart, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St Aldhelm’s Head: Jim Champion, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- The Blue Pool: David Purchase, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Spyway Dinosaur Footprints: Tim Marshall, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ballard Down: Mike Faherty, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door & Wareham: Brian Deegan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Weymouth & Portland: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0, source
- Bridport & West Bay: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lyme Regis & Charmouth: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Seaton, Beer & Sidmouth: michael cooper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Jurassic Coast