Swanage, gateway to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, Managers Malcolm & Olga recommend: 

Swanage is a delightful little seaside town on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, west of Bournemouth. It is the capital of the Isle of Purbeck and the eastern entry point to the Jurassic Coast. Over half the area of Purbeck is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Internationally important fossils, including dinosaur footprints, have been found in Purbeck. There is no better way to explore the area than on foot or bike. Waymarked Walking Routes and Circular Cycle Rides have been developed, and are available from the Youth Hostel, the local Tourist Information Centre or from Purbeck District Council (details below).

Swanage Steam Railway to (Norden) Corfe Castle - Traditional buffet carriage, souvenir shop, bar, restaurant car, drive a real steam train. Meet Thomas the Tank Engine in October. Tel.01929 425800.

Corfe Castle, National Trust, 5 miles - Magnificent castle rising above the Isle of Purbeck in dramatic setting. Tel 01929 480609. Living History Demonstrions, plays & displays - check Whats On (below). This is Kirrin Castle as written about by Enid Blyton. See the Model Village of Corfe close by. Excellent ridge walk back to Swanage from Corfe along Ballard Down.

Monkey World, Ape Rescue Centre, Wool (15 miles) - 160 rescued and endangered apes and monkeys including chimps and orangutans. Great ape play area for kids. Tel. 01929 462537

Studland (5 miles) - One of Britain's best golden sand beaches and extensive nature reserve. The richest 10km square for wild flowers in Britain. Tel 01929 450259. Enid Blyton lived in Studland - see Policeman Plod's little cottage. Studland Water Sports: Tel 01929 422987. Horse Riding: Tel 01929 450273. Knoll Beach (N.T.) with wc, shop, cafe. Studland Heath Nature Reserve. Studland Riding Stables Tel 01929 450273.

Durlston Country Park & Marine Project (1 mile) - Incredible cliff-top location & wildlife habitat - spot the dolphins, puffins and peregrine falcons. One of Britain's richest areas for butterflies. Miles of cliff top walks, beautiful views. Information Centre with live camera feed to wildlife locations, e.g puffins. Good Fairtrade cafe. Clifftop Trail Activity Book available. See the Giant Globe, Durlston Head, Dancing Ledge, Anvil Point Lighthouse. Buggy available for the infirm. Tel 01929 424443. One of the best places in the country to spot Dolphins. Web site below - see Whats On.

Jurassic Coast - Dorset is world famous for its Jurassic Coast and 95 miles of spectacular coastline scenery between Old Harry Rocks (near Swanage) and Exmouth, representing two million years of geological time. Fossils, dinosaur footprints, chalk stacks and limestone arches. England's first Natural World Heritage Site, ranking it in importance alongside the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon. See the web link below.

Museums - Jurassic Dinosaur Museum, Dorset County Museum (featuring Thomas Hardy, Roman Dorchester, Farming History, Jurassic Coast, Dorset Wildlife), The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, The Keep Military Museum, The Terracotta Warriors Museum, Tutankhamun Exhibition, Roman Town House, Maumbury Rings henge, and the magnificent Maiden Castle earthwork- all in and around the charming county town of Dorchester.

Bournemouth (10 miles) - Serious shopping & entertainments centre. Tethered balloon flights (01202 314539), great beaches, BIC for top concerts throughout the year, museums and art galleries.

Poole - Olde Quay with restaurants, museum, boat trips. Upton House Country Park.

Poole Harbour - The world's 2nd largest natural harbour. Ferrie to Cherbourg, Guernsey, Jersey and St Malo. Boat trips to Brownsea Island (off shore nature reserve, cliff top walks, and wildlife haven for deer and the rare red squirrels). Water sports. Poole Lighthouse - Centre for the Arts, Tel 08700 668701.

Compton Acres, Poole - The finest privately owned gardens in the South. Tel: 01202 700778

Oceanarium Bournemouth - Come face to face with marine life from around the globe. Tel 01202 311993

Tank Museum, Bovington (15 miles) - The Home of the Tank. The World's finest collection of over 250 armoured fighting vehicles. Live tank action displays, lectures, audio tour, interactive exhibits thoughout the year. Tel 01929 405096. www.tankmuseum.org

Clouds Hill, N.T. (15 miles) - Home of T E Lawrence (of Arabia), close by Bovington Army Camp.

Moreton - Picturesque village, woodland walks, cycle paths, St Nicholas' Church with its famous engraved windows, grave of T E Lawrence (of Arabia) nearby, famous Tea Rooms dedicated to the memory of Lawrence of Arabia, ford with ducks galore, Moreton Gardens and plant centre.

Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door (17 miles) - Classic oyster shaped cove surrounded by high chalk cliffs and dramatic limestone arch - beautiful. See also Fossil Forest nearby. Superb Heritage and Information Centre at the car park.

Lulworth Castle and Park - Animal park, adventure playground, summer jousting shows. Tel 01929 400352

Arne Nature Reserve (RSPB) 12 miles - Birds, deer, absolute peace and quiet on the western fringe of Poole Harbour.

Wareham (10 miles) - Saxon walled town and picturesque Quayside. Unique gas-lit Rex Cinema (Tel 01929 550855), boat trips, museum, farmers market, Wareham Forest, Woolsbarrow Fort. Mobility Centre 01929 552623 (www.wddt.org.uk).

Birdwatching cruises - From Swanage Pier, sailing along the stunning World Heritage Jurassic Coast to the Puffin Colonies with onboard guide: mid May - mid July. Regular Dolphin sightings. Tickets and information from Dorset Belles (01202 558550). Each September, cruise on the the unique and beautiful paddlesteamer The Waverley, the last sea-going steam-driven passenger ship in the world

Old Harry Rocks (3 miles) - Giant white chalk stacks and pinnacles - dont forget your camera!

Swanage Pier & Museum - Victorian elegance, as seen in the film Oscar with Stephen Fry. Tel 01929 427058. Sub Aqua and Diving School.

Swanage Beach Gardens - A range of recreational activities - 18 hole putting green, tennis courts, bowling green and gardens. Tel 01929 424339. Why not rent out a beach hut while you're here - contact Tourist Information.

Townsend Nature Reserve (SSI) - Close to YHA Swanage. Ideal for an interesting ramble overlooking Swanage town. Managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust. 

Chococo, The Purbeck Chocolate Co. - Award winning handmade chocs from Swanage using many local and global fairly traded ingredients. Tel 01929 421777. www.chococo.co.uk

Worbarrow Bay - Incredible geology and breathtaking scenery. Find the dinosaur footprints on the Tout. Park at Tyneham Village, (N.T.) the deserted "ghost village" evacuated by the Army in 1943.

Swanage Town Trails (free from reception) - Interesting architecture and history. "Old London by the sea". See the pretty Mill Pond, the tiny lock-up Old Goal, Christopher Wrens town hall facade removed from the City of London, The Wellington Clock Tower removed from London Bridge, and many other fascinating "removals". Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre on the seafront, Tel 01929 427420 (open 10am-5pm, Apr-Oct).

Bike Hire - BikeAbout, High Street, Swanage. Tel 01929 425050. Bikes delivered to YHA Swanage.

Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum - From arrest, through hell, to freedom. Tel 01305 848237.

Thatched cottage home of Thomas Hardy (National Trust) - Higher Bockhampton, Nr Dorchester - Dorset's eminent writer and poet. Where he was born and later wrote Far From The Madding Crowd, and Under The Greenwood Tree.

Kingston Maurwood - A Classical 18th Century Capability Brown style parkland setting, with majestic lawns sweeping down from the Grade I listed Georgian House to beautiful ornamental lake. National Collections of Penstemons and Salvias. Garden & Animal Park, Dorchester. Tel 01305 215050. Lots of forthcoming events: lambing weekends, antique fair, concerts, etc.

Tower Park Centre - Entertainment centre for all the family near Poole: Splashdown (waterpark with 12 rides), Megabowl, Bingo, 10 screen multiplex cinema, restaurants. Tel 01202 723671.

Kingston Lacey, National Trust - Magnificent house, 30 acre garden & 250 acre landscaped park nr Wimborne Minster. New Japanese Garden being developed. Tel 01202 880413. Enjoy tea in the stable block.

Badbury Rings, National Trust - West of Kingston Lacey (above). Ancient Iron-Age hillfort, 150BC. Three huge concentric earthwork banks and ditches with commanding views over surrounding Dorset countryside. Great place to picnic.

Maumbury Rings, Dorchester - Famous Roman Amphitheatre, originally constructed during Neolithic era, 2500 years ago.

Athelhampton House & Gardens - Magnificent 15th Century Tudor Manor House. Famous Yew Garden. English furniture and Pugin fine art. Tel 01305 848363. 5 miles east of Dorchester.

Putlake Adventure Farm, near Swanage - Explore and make contact with a variety of friendly animals. Bottle feed lambs and goats and have a go at hand milking. Tel 01929 422917.

Langton Matravers Museum - Displaying the history of Purbeck Limestone from Roman times to the present, and the ways in which the local stone was quarried and used. Tel 01929 423168.

Worth Matravers Observatory - By appointment only. Tel: 01929 439210.

Farmer Palmers Farm Park - Organford, near Poole. Tel: 01202 622022.

The New Forest National Park (between Bournemouth and Southampton) - Ancient hunting ground of William the Conqueror. AONB. Rambling, cycling, wildlife and watersports. Delightful villages (and pubs!) with wild ponies everywhere - hang on to your picnic!

The South West Coast Path National Trail - 630 miles of superb coastal walking. From Poole Harbour to Minehead on the edge of Exmoor National Park. Tel 01392 383560.

Christchurch Harbour & Hengistbury Head (east of Bournemouth) - Very beautiful, good walking area. Over 316 species of bird.

The Royal Signals Museum, Blandford Forum - Spies, Codes and Secret Agents. Explore communications science and technology. Behind Enemy Lines, Enigma, Elite Forces. Tel: 01258 482248

The Great Dorset Maize and Farm Park, nr Weymouth - Tel: 01305 871281. www.greatdorsetmaizemaze.co.uk

Henley Hillbillies - Thrills on the Hills: Quad Bikes, off road Mini Mavericks, Hovercraft. www.henleyhillbillies.co.uk Tel: 01300 345293

Jurassic Kayak Tours -www.second-wind.co.uk/jurassic_coast_kayaks Explore the famous Jurassic Coast from the sea with expert guides.

A special treat for geographers - Cull Peppers Dish, near Briantspuddle - 3 impressive Dolines at GR816927.

Other Beauty Spots:

Incredible views over Poole Harbour from the ridge road between Corfe Castle and Studland, Chapmans Pool, Dancing Ledge, Tilly Whim Caves, Ninebarrow Down, Godlingston Heath National Nature Reserve, Stoborough Heath, St Albans Head, The Blue Pool, Agglestone Rock, Shell Bay, Kimmeridge Bay & Clavel Tower, Creech Arch, Tyneham Village, Maiden Castle, Flowers Barrow, Povington Hill, St Albans Chapel, Swyre Head, Creech Barrow Hill, Ballard Down, the ridge road to Kingston overlooking Corfe Castle.

Markets:

  • Swanage - Tue (between Easter and end October)
  • Wareham - Farmers Market, 4th Thur monthly, 9am-1pm
  • Wareham Street Market - each Saturday
  • Wimborne Minster - Fri, Sat, Sun
  • Poole - Thu
  • Dorchester - Wed, Sun
  • Bridport Farmers Market - 2nd Sat monthly, 9am-1pm
  • Weymouth - Thu

Recommended Pubs:

  • Bankes Arms, Studland. Has its own micro brewery.
  • The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Unique. Even has its own museum.

Useful Contacts:

SPECIAL REQUEST: If you have any historical information about YHA Swanage, particularly old photos, etc. please get in touch with Malcolm or Olga. We are compiling a House History and would love to hear from you.

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