natural wonder
Old Harry Rocks
Iconic chalk sea stacks marking the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, standing as sentinels against the English Channel.
5 km · about 10 min drive
England, United Kingdom · Europe
Swanage works well as a base: 15 minutes from Corfe Castle, 5km from Old Harry Rocks.
Swanage is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 10,454, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Swanage sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Swanage to your route.
Swanage () is a coastal town and civil parish in the south-east of Dorset, England. It lies at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck and is one of its two towns, approximately 6+1⁄4 miles (10 km) south of Poole and 25 miles (40 km) east of Dorchester. In the 2011 census, the civil parish had a population of 9,601.Read more
Nearby are Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks, with Studland Bay and Poole Harbour to the north; within the parish are Durlston Bay and Durlston Country Park to the south of the town. The parish also includes the areas of Herston, just to the west of the town, and Durlston, just to the south.
The town, originally a small port and fishing village, flourished in the Victorian era, when it first became a significant quarrying port and later a seaside resort for the rich of the day. Today, the town remains a popular tourist resort, which is the town's primary industry; many thousands of visitors come to the town during the peak summer season, drawn by the bay's sandy beaches and other attractions.
During its history, the bay was listed variously as Swanawic, Swanwich and Sandwich, and only in more recent history as Swanage.
The town is located at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site. The town contains many listed buildings and two conservation areas – Swanage Conservation Area and Herston Conservation Area.
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Swanage offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Swanage is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 50.6083 latitude, -1.9566 longitude.
Swanage has a population of approximately 10,454 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.
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Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United Kingdom8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Iconic chalk sea stacks marking the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, standing as sentinels against the English Channel.
5 km · about 10 min drive
castle
Atmospheric ruins of a thousand-year-old royal castle perched on a hilltop, dramatically slighted during the English Civil War.
8 km · about 15 min drive
beach
A seven-mile stretch of golden sand along the Dorset coast, one of England's most popular seaside destinations.
13 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Almost perfectly circular cove formed by the sea eroding through Portland limestone, creating one of the world's finest examples of coastal geology.
21 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Iconic natural limestone arch jutting into the sea on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, one of the most photographed landmarks in Britain.
23 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
A remarkable collection of rare and unique motorcycles in the New Forest assembled by legendary trials rider Sammy Miller.
26 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Three distinctive chalk sea stacks rising from the sea off the western tip of the Isle of Wight, topped by a red-and-white striped lighthouse.
27 km · about 30 min drive
national park
Ancient royal hunting ground where wild ponies and deer roam freely through 219 square miles of heathland, woodland and coastal marshes.
39 km · about 45 min drive
April to October
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