
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.
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.
Dorm rooms have multiple beds and are shared with other people who may not be travelling together. They are usually more affordable than private rooms as you'll be booking a bed rather than the whole room.
A typical shared dorm room includes bunk beds, a reading light and a storage cupboard for each guest.
Children aged between 12 and 15 can stay in dorm rooms as long as an adult of the same gender accompanies them.
Shared shower and toilet facilities are located near to the room. None of our dorm rooms have en-suite facilities.
Want some privacy? With a private room, you'll be booking the whole room for your stay.
Private rooms typically include a storage cupboard and reading light for each bed, plus a wash hand basin.
Shared shower and toilet facilities are located near to the room.
For added privacy, relax with your family, friends or by yourself in a private en-suite room.
Private en-suite rooms typically include a storage cupboard and reading light for each bed, plus shower and toilet facilities solely for the people in your room.
Planning an overdue get-together or celebrating a birthday/anniversary? Looking for a base for your group's next adventure? Make your special occasion extra special with YHA Exclusive Hire.
You can hire the whole building at YHA Swanage and, with sole use of the property, come and go as you please. This spacious Victorian house is an ideal base for those looking to discover the beauty of the incredible surroundings. Dogs are welcome too!
Reception opening hours: From 07:30 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 22:00.
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests daily from 07:30 – 09:00. Meals are also available from 17:00 – 20:00.
Self-catering : Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: There is parking at the hostel.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
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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.
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.
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 and 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.