Nordic social walk from YHA Swanage
Saturday 20th September 2025 Distance: 7 - 9 miles (12-15 km) Duration: 3 - 4 hours Led by: Steve Ellis, British Nordic Walking National Trainer Skills and confidence This circular walk on both...
YHA Swanage
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. Spend a restful holiday building sandcastles, paddling in the sea and sampling local ice cream or 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. With the steam train and Corfe Castle nearby, you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do.
Accommodation at this hostel
- Bed in a shared room is offered here
- Private room is offered here
- Entire place is offered here
- Camping & Cabins is not offered here
Why guests love this hostel
- Minutes from a Blue Flag beach
- Lovely hilltop location
- Great for seaside family breaks
Accommodation at YHA Swanage
Group booking
Serviced group stays for 16 to 87 people
A grand, sea-facing Victorian villa situated just five minutes' walk from an award-winning beach, YHA Swanage offers an incredible location for a seaside break. This well-equipped hostel is perfect for activity breaks with walking, fossil hunting, geography/geology activities and an award-winning beach all close by.
This hostel is great for secondary school fieldwork activities. Try beach profiling in the friendly, colourful seaside town of Swanage, fossil hunting and geology at Kimmeridge and Durlston or other studies around coastal processes at Studland and Old Harry’s rocks. Primary schools and other groups can enjoy a more classic seaside residential and head down to the beach, which is easily accessible from the hostel. With the steam train and Corfe Castle nearby, you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do.
Group-friendly facilities
Sleeping arrangements
Most of our bedrooms are dormitory style rooms with bunk beds. We always try to allocate bedrooms close together and will never ask your group to share bedrooms with anyone not in your group.
Upgrades are available for sole use of an area, floor or the entire place.
Shared spaces
YHA Swanage offers modern facilities including four classrooms, on-site parking and free Wi-Fi. Groups benefit from the use of our open plan social areas with an oak-panelled lounge and dining room, complete with comfy chairs.
Group catering
With tasty breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals, groups are sure to find something delicious to eat at YHA Swanage (see sample menu).
Meal plans range from bed and breakfast up to full-board catering. Vegetarian options are available and we aim to cater for any special dietary requests.
Parking
There is parking at the hostel.
Accredited site
YHA Swanage holds a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge (105573).
This accreditation means that this hostel has externally audited risk assessments, verified insurance provision, quality checked safety logs and delivery observed by national reviewers.
Hostel facilities
- 24-hour access after check-in
- Ambulant accessible
- Classroom(s)
- Coach parking on premises
- Corridor zoning
- Cycle store
- Dining room
- Evening meals
- Free parking on premises
- Full mobile coverage
- Group meals
- Highchair
- Licensed bar
- Minibus parking on premises
- Near airport
- Near bus stop
- Near ferry port
- Near train station
- Outdoor seating
- Restaurant
- Sea view
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared drying room
- Shared laundry room
- Shared lounge
- Sole use available
- Unlimited breakfast
- Vending machines
- Water refill station
- WiFi
Hostel need to know
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.
Licensed bar: This hostel has a licensed bar offering a range of alcohol and soft drinks. It is not possible for guests to bring their own alcohol, except when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire.
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.
YHA Swanage - Access Statement
(PDF download - 146.5 KB)
Food and drink at YHA Swanage
Things to do around YHA Swanage
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. Swanage is on the South West coast path that stretches from Poole harbour to...
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
Cycling in Swanage
Cycling is very popular in Dorset, 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. This...
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
The Tank Museum
Our exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare from World War One to the present day. As you explore the Museum's six large halls you will come face to face with vehicles that have seen action in...
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...
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 the UK where all...
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.
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!
Corfe Castle
Uncover the secrets of Dorset's iconic medieval monument and discover how royalty, warfare and nature have shaped the castle.
Bournemouth
Serious shopping and entertainment centre. Tethered balloon flights, great beaches and top concerts throughout the year. Visit the Bournemouth website
Watersports in Swanage
In Poole Harbour you can try your hand at something less 'wet'...parasailing!
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. Bike hire...
More about this hostel
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.
Find out more and apply to volunteer.
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.
Nearby hostels
YHA Isle of Wight Totland
-
WiFi
-
Free parking on premises
-
Restaurant
YHA New Forest
-
WiFi
-
Free parking on premises
-
Café
YHA Cholderton Stonehenge
-
WiFi
-
Garden/grounds
-
Cycle store
YHA Street
-
WiFi
-
Garden/grounds
-
Cycle store