Swanage
A friendly, colourful seaside town with an award winning beach, amazing chalk pillars of Old Harry's Rocks and a very English Victorian pier.
YHA Swanage
Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2BS- Recently refurbished
Overview
A large, sea-facing Victorian villa, YHA Swanage is situated five minutes' walk from the award-winning beach of Swanage - the only Blue Flag beach along the entire Dorset Jurassic Coast. The hostel has been recently refurbished for 2018 and is now better than ever. Spend a restful holiday building sandcastles, paddling in the sea and sampling local ice cream or alternatively, give coasteering or diving a go on this rugged coastline.
Our hilltop location gives rooms spectacular panoramic views of Swanage town and bay. The town is a classic British seaside resort and the perfect gateway to the Jurassic coast, a world heritage site.
Why guests love YHA Swanage
Accommodation at YHA Swanage
The hostel
YHA Swanage has recently undergone a £1.5m refurbishment to improve the facilities and accommodation at the hostel. The hostel now benefits from 93 beds with 11 of the rooms en-suite, including one fully accessible room. The rooms have two to six beds and some of the rooms contain a double bed. The hostel also has a brand new self-catering kitchen as well as open plan social areas with an oak panelled lounge and dining room with soft chairs. Free Wi-Fi is available in the communal areas. YHA Swanage offers FREE WIFI in communal areas!
Hire the whole place
This hostel is occasionally made available for hire on an exclusive basis. This means that you can have the place to yourself and choose how many of your friends, family, club mates, etc., join you. We allocate availability for exclusive use in blocks, typically up to 90 days in the future. If you are looking for space to stay with us on a normal shared basis, and can’t see any availability three months or more into the future, then this hostel may be being held for Exclusive Hire. You can check availability for Exclusive Hire on our dedicated website.
Food and drink at YHA Swanage
Things to do around YHA Swanage
Mowlem Theatre
Opened in 1967, the Mowlem Theatre is situated on the sea front at Swanage and has over 200 film productions a year as well as 60-100 nights of live theatre.
Swanage Steam Railway
Explore the beautiful countryside around Swanage on the old steam trains that chuff along to Corfe Castle and beyond. Visit the website
Corfe Castle
Uncover the secrets of Dorset's iconic medieval monument and discover how royalty, warfare and nature have shaped the castle.
Studland Beach and Nature Reserve
One of the UK’s finest beaches and extensive nature reserve. Enid Blyton lived here, so look for Policeman Plod’s thatched cottage!
The Tank Museum
Our exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare from World War One to the present day.
Brownsea Island
The perfect day’s adventure, this island wildlife sanctuary is easy to get to but feels like another world from the moment you step ashore. The island sits in the middle of Poole Harbour, with dram
Bournemouth
Serious shopping and entertainment centre. Tethered balloon flights, great beaches and top concerts throughout the year. Visit the Bournemouth website
Walking and Rambling in Swanage
The whole of Purbeck area, a lot of which is An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is just waiting to be explored.
Mountain Biking in Swanage
There are some great routes including Chalk Ridge between Corfe Castle and Old Harry Rocks, it's quite steep at first but suitable for all levels and there's stunning views on either side.
Cycling in Swanage
Cycling is very popular in Dorest, thatched villages and quiet lanes make it easy to get off the beaten track and explore the tranquil terrain. Here the pace is leisurely and the going is easy.
Watersports in Swanage
In Poole Harbour you can try your hand at something less 'wet'...parasailing!
Monkey World
160 rescued and endangered apes and monkeys including chimps and orangutans. Talks throughout the day and Great Ape play area for kids. Visit the website
Arne Nature Reserve (RSPB)
A special landscape where you can enjoy the vast open heathland with an opportunity for bird watching. A fantastic place for family walks at any time of year. One of the few places in
Facilities
General
- Classroom
- Cot available
- Cycle store
- Free wi-fi
- Garden / grounds
Essentials
- Drying room
- Laundry
- Lounge
Entertainment
- Board games
- Games room
- TV
Accommodation options
- Private rooms available
Food & drink
- Dining room
- Group catering available
- Licensed bar
- Meals available
- Self-catering kitchen
Transportation & parking
- Parking
Other YHA products
- Meeting Rooms & Corporate Hire
- Trade bookings
- YHA Exclusive Hire
- YHA School Trips
Need to know
Check in: 15.00 - 23.00
Check out: Before 10.00
Parking: There is ample parking for coaches and cars.
Open every day?: No. From 1st March to 31st October, YHA Swanage is open at weekends and during school holidays. Monday - Thursday the hostel is available for group bookings. Beds and rooms may become available three months before travelling dates, so please check the website. At certain times, the hostel may only be available for Groups and Exclusive Hire.
Towels and toiletries: Towels and toiletries are not provided but are available to hire or purchase from reception. Bedding is supplied.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served from 7.30am til 9am.
YHA Swanage - Access Statement
(PDF download - 146.5 KB)
YHA Exclusive Hire
Invite all your family and friends along to YHA Swanage and hire the whole property for yourself. To do so please visit our YHA Exclusive Hire website. Open for bookings from the autumn half term to the Easter holidays.
YHA School Trips
YHA Swanage is perfectly located to enjoy the Jurassic coast with a range of different geography packages on offer. The local area also has a lot to offer history students or those looking for an adventure holiday. The hostel can accommodate up to 100 people and provides group catering as well as classroom facilities.
Visit the YHA School Trips website for more information.
Volunteering
Volunteering with YHA is a fantastic way to have fun, learn new skills, boost your CV and travel to different places. We have a variety of different opportunities to choose from and volunteering roles to suit everyone.
The tasks are varied and in return you will meet some great people, who both work and stay in our hostels, as well as enjoying your time off discovering the local area and attractions.
You can find out more and apply to volunteer at this hostel on the volunteering website.
History
This fine seaside villa was built by the Captain of the Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s colossal ship ‘The Great Eastern’; Sir James Anderson. He built the house with the proceeds of laying the first ever transatlantic cable from Ireland to the Americas, thus connecting the old world with the new worlds. During WWI the house became a Red Cross hospital for soldiers returning from Europe. YHA has owned this fine building since 1949. The wood panelling in the building is believed to have come from the old English courts of law.
Meet the team
Garry Hayman is the manager at YHA Swanage: "I have always worked in the hotel and catering industry and started working with YHA in 1999 as a team member at YHA Golant. In 2000 I was appointed as hostel manager of YHA Dartmoor, then as manager of YHA Swanage in 2013. I like travelling, hiking & following the trials and tribulations of Plymouth Argyle Football Club. Whilst at YHA Dartmoor I met my wife, it was pretty much love at first sight and we married in 2005.
