Swanage & Purbeck
ANNUAL EVENTS FOR 2011
Swanage Jazz Festival 13th-15th July 2012
Swanage Carnival and Regatta 28th July-4th August 2012
Swanage Folk Festival 7th-9th September 2012
Walking Festival 28th April-6th May 2012
Swanage has one of the cleanest, safest beaches on the south coast. Attractions range from Punch and Judy, canoes and pedaloes to water skiing and scuba diving. Take a walk along the restored pier or take a boat trip to view the Jurassic Coast, the new World Heritage Site which starts at Old Harry Rocks near Swanage and ends at Orcombe Point, Devon.
The town itself has many interesting shops and plenty of cafes, tea-rooms and a Tuesday Market. Relax in the beautiful seafront gardens or have a go on the putting greens, tennis courts or bowling green. Visit the Heritage Centre, the Mill Pond and if you’re into steam the Swanage Railway.
Swanage is the ideal place for walkers. The coastal paths are stunning and Durlston Country Park contains miles of peaceful walks and much rare wildlife from Orchids to Dartford Warblers.
The newly refurbished Durlston Castle is now a visitor centre with interactive displays, a gallery, cinema, shop and restaurant.
Purbeck & Surrounding Area
The Purbeck countryside includes many diverse environments from rugged cliffs and sandy coves to gorse and heather covered heath land. This makes it excellent for walking and cycling. It is the inspiration for authors like Thomas Hardy and Enid Blyton.
Visit Arne Bird Reserve, the Blue Pool and Brownsea Island in the east or Kimmeridge Bay, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door in the west. Sports facilities available at Wareham at the Purbeck Sports Centre.
Explore the many pretty villages such as Studland with its sandy beaches,
Worth Matravers with its village pond, Corfe Castle and the walled town of Wareham.
| Other Attractions: | |
| Gardens | Museums |
| Compton Acres | Bovington Tank Museum |
| Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens | Dorset County Museum |
| Knoll Gardens | Royal Signals Museum |
| Moreton Gardens | Tutankhamun Exhibition |
| Teddy Bear Museum | |
| Houses | Wildlife Attractions |
| Athelhampton House | Monkey World |
| Kingston Lacey | Putlake Adventure Farm |
| Lulworth Castle | Abbotsbury Swannery |
Local Area Gallery
