Guidebook for Swanage
Food
Great place for a wide selection of good, basic food. Good breakfasts, meat & veggie. Great for families, with something on the menu for everyone.
Beavers
14 Institute RdGreat place for a wide selection of good, basic food. Good breakfasts, meat & veggie. Great for families, with something on the menu for everyone.
Gee Whites is a seafood restaurant and ice cream parlour, overlooking Swanage bay. It's really well regarded by those who eat fish, specialising in lobster. The ice cream is good, too.
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Gee Whites Seafood Restaurant
1 High St Gee Whites is a seafood restaurant and ice cream parlour, overlooking Swanage bay. It's really well regarded by those who eat fish, specialising in lobster. The ice cream is good, too.
Lovely restaurant, with constantly changing menu. For non-vegetarians there is a fabulous choice. If you tell them you are vegetarian when you book, the chef will happily offer options for you.
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Chilled Red
1-5 Commercial RdLovely restaurant, with constantly changing menu. For non-vegetarians there is a fabulous choice. If you tell them you are vegetarian when you book, the chef will happily offer options for you.
Wonderful garden centre. Really lovely cafe where you can sit outside by a beautiful pond (+ fish, and tadpoles in spring - great for kids to watch). Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea & special events
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Holme for Gardens
Wonderful garden centre. Really lovely cafe where you can sit outside by a beautiful pond (+ fish, and tadpoles in spring - great for kids to watch). Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea & special events
Fabulous local chocolate shop, tucked away in the back lanes of Swanage. Great cafe too, selling chocolate cream teas, chocolate fondues, Purbeck ice cream and hot chocolate sauce, and wonderful cakes
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Chococo
23A Commercial RdFabulous local chocolate shop, tucked away in the back lanes of Swanage. Great cafe too, selling chocolate cream teas, chocolate fondues, Purbeck ice cream and hot chocolate sauce, and wonderful cakes
Uncomplicated and simple British garden food, true to the micro seasons and influenced by the coast, with the emphasis squarely on fresh, clean flavours.
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The Pig on the Beach
Manor RoadUncomplicated and simple British garden food, true to the micro seasons and influenced by the coast, with the emphasis squarely on fresh, clean flavours.
A shabby chic and cosy interior, love cake cafe serves homemade food, breakfasts & brunch, healthy lunches, fabulous cakes, artisan coffees, is fully licensed and has a great selection of local brews & ciders, wines, cocktails & gins. All food is prepared using fresh, locally sourced & free range ingredients. Fabulous cakes too.
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Love Cake Etc
42 High StA shabby chic and cosy interior, love cake cafe serves homemade food, breakfasts & brunch, healthy lunches, fabulous cakes, artisan coffees, is fully licensed and has a great selection of local brews & ciders, wines, cocktails & gins. All food is prepared using fresh, locally sourced & free range ingredients. Fabulous cakes too.
Amazing soup! Fabulous cakes and scones! Wonderful salads!
Oh, and the coffee is great, too.
Vegetarian & vegan food in a quirky, friendly atmosphere.
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Java Independent Coffee House
Unit 3 Commercial RdAmazing soup! Fabulous cakes and scones! Wonderful salads!
Oh, and the coffee is great, too.
Vegetarian & vegan food in a quirky, friendly atmosphere.
A good, basic cafe with great all-day breakfasts a speciality. Great for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike.
High street cafe
3 High StA good, basic cafe with great all-day breakfasts a speciality. Great for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike.
Shopping
Fabulous gift shop, great place for holiday presents, candles, incense, vases, housewares, ornaments, pictures, frames, greetings cards, key rings, jewellery, hair accessories, cushions, etc.
Curiosity
35 High StFabulous gift shop, great place for holiday presents, candles, incense, vases, housewares, ornaments, pictures, frames, greetings cards, key rings, jewellery, hair accessories, cushions, etc.
Rainbow’s End is the south coast’s largest retailer of fair-trade, ethnic and gothic clothing, also stocking a variety of interesting t-shirts, headwear, bags, accessories and home furnishings.
Rainbows End
10 The SqRainbow’s End is the south coast’s largest retailer of fair-trade, ethnic and gothic clothing, also stocking a variety of interesting t-shirts, headwear, bags, accessories and home furnishings.
A great selection of yarns, fabrics, crafts and tools, friendly and helpful service and a lovely place to shop.
The Wool & Craft Shop
17 Station RdA great selection of yarns, fabrics, crafts and tools, friendly and helpful service and a lovely place to shop.
A wide range of first edition and rare books, paperbacks and local interest books, maps and guides for the Isle of Purbeck. Lovely shop to browse in, especially on a rainy day.
Swanage New & Secondhand Books
35 Station RdA wide range of first edition and rare books, paperbacks and local interest books, maps and guides for the Isle of Purbeck. Lovely shop to browse in, especially on a rainy day.
Great place to buy clothes for the beach - swim suits, hats, wet suits, sarongs, flip flops, and wind-surfing equipment.
Forever Summer
47 High StGreat place to buy clothes for the beach - swim suits, hats, wet suits, sarongs, flip flops, and wind-surfing equipment.
Fabulous whole foods store with everything you'd expect, including vegan and vegetarian specialities, grains, flours, sweet treats and organic veg.
Country Foods
37 Station RdFabulous whole foods store with everything you'd expect, including vegan and vegetarian specialities, grains, flours, sweet treats and organic veg.
Sightseeing
Beautifully renovated unusual castle, with a clever timeline in the grounds, changing exhibitions, fabulous views out to sea, nice tea room/restaurant, lovely walks
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Durlston Country Park und National Nature Reserve
Lighthouse RoadBeautifully renovated unusual castle, with a clever timeline in the grounds, changing exhibitions, fabulous views out to sea, nice tea room/restaurant, lovely walks
Half way along Swanage Pier you will find Marine Villas, a grade 2 listed building housing the pier shop & café, exhibition and Edwardian gaming machines.
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Swanage Pier
Swanage PierHalf way along Swanage Pier you will find Marine Villas, a grade 2 listed building housing the pier shop & café, exhibition and Edwardian gaming machines.
Essentials
A lovely little shop selling a whole range of local foodie products, including their own delicious produce. Wonderful selections of West Country cheeses.
The Purbeck Deli
26 Institute RdA lovely little shop selling a whole range of local foodie products, including their own delicious produce. Wonderful selections of West Country cheeses.
Open long hours in the summer, 8.00 am - 8.00 pm other times of the year. Carries all basic necessities. Pay for parking (up to 2 hours) but claim it back when you spend over £5 in store)
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Co-op Food - Swanage
52 Kings Rd WOpen long hours in the summer, 8.00 am - 8.00 pm other times of the year. Carries all basic necessities. Pay for parking (up to 2 hours) but claim it back when you spend over £5 in store)
If you need more than you can buy from the two supermarkets in Swanage, this is your nearest massive store. Tesco also deliver to Swanage, so you can order in advance if you want to.
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Tesco Superstore
Poole RoadIf you need more than you can buy from the two supermarkets in Swanage, this is your nearest massive store. Tesco also deliver to Swanage, so you can order in advance if you want to.
Entertainment & Activities
Wonderful model village and gardens. Lots for kids to do: outdoor games, a teepee, enchanted garden, croquet lawn, stocks, historical info, gift shop and more. Cafe with indoor & outdoor seating.
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Model Village Gardens & Cafe
The SquareWonderful model village and gardens. Lots for kids to do: outdoor games, a teepee, enchanted garden, croquet lawn, stocks, historical info, gift shop and more. Cafe with indoor & outdoor seating.
Fab place for small children. Real working farm, with animals, tractor rides, outdoor play equipment, Indoor soft play area, Go-Karts, picnic areas, trampolines, birds, pet centre, tearooms and more.
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Putlake Adventure Farm
High StreetFab place for small children. Real working farm, with animals, tractor rides, outdoor play equipment, Indoor soft play area, Go-Karts, picnic areas, trampolines, birds, pet centre, tearooms and more.
Wonderful place for under 8s - soft play, animals to see, pet and feed, tractor trailer rides, miniature houses, straw mountain, woodland walk, go-karts, cafe. You could spend a whole day here!
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Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
Wareham RoadWonderful place for under 8s - soft play, animals to see, pet and feed, tractor trailer rides, miniature houses, straw mountain, woodland walk, go-karts, cafe. You could spend a whole day here!
Three levels of soft play with slides, tunnels and interactive zones (up to 11 yrs old, dedicated toddlers' soft play area, indoor ice rink for all ages, cafe,
ice cream parlour.
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The Ark
82 Parkstone RoadThree levels of soft play with slides, tunnels and interactive zones (up to 11 yrs old, dedicated toddlers' soft play area, indoor ice rink for all ages, cafe,
ice cream parlour.
Steam train with old carriages; six miles of track between Swanage and Norden. Take the train to Corfe Castle, explore the ruined castle, visit the model village and have a cream tea.
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Swanage Railway Company
Station RoadSteam train with old carriages; six miles of track between Swanage and Norden. Take the train to Corfe Castle, explore the ruined castle, visit the model village and have a cream tea.
Beautiful beach, with great cafe and shop. Ideal for water sports.The heathland behind the beach is a haven for native wildlife and features all six British reptiles. National Trust.
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Knoll Beach Studland
Beautiful beach, with great cafe and shop. Ideal for water sports.The heathland behind the beach is a haven for native wildlife and features all six British reptiles. National Trust.
Lovely beach, quaint little village, heritage centre, gift shops, cafes, great cliff walks, world famous geological wonder - exciting rock strata, massive rock arch, etc.
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Lulworth Cove
Lovely beach, quaint little village, heritage centre, gift shops, cafes, great cliff walks, world famous geological wonder - exciting rock strata, massive rock arch, etc.
The fabulous Lulworth Castle (intact) with loads for adults to see and kids to do. Wonderful grounds, jousting events in the summer, gift shop, cafe. Avoid 30 July-2 Aug as it hosts Camp Bestival then
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Lulworth Castle Wareham
The fabulous Lulworth Castle (intact) with loads for adults to see and kids to do. Wonderful grounds, jousting events in the summer, gift shop, cafe. Avoid 30 July-2 Aug as it hosts Camp Bestival then
This Ape Rescue Centre is home to over 250 rescued and endangered primates, in a natural and spacious environment. Humans are treated well, too, with tours, cafes, play areas and a gift shop.
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Monkey World - Affenrettungszentrum
LongthornsThis Ape Rescue Centre is home to over 250 rescued and endangered primates, in a natural and spacious environment. Humans are treated well, too, with tours, cafes, play areas and a gift shop.
Children's (age 6+) and family stone carving sessions, local craft exhibitions, tea room, fabulous views of the Purbeck Hills. Create a masterpiece to take away.
Burngate Stone Carving Centre
Kingston RoadChildren's (age 6+) and family stone carving sessions, local craft exhibitions, tea room, fabulous views of the Purbeck Hills. Create a masterpiece to take away.
Fabulous adventure park for families with young children (under 8s I would say). It’s a fun place even in bad weather, as there is a great soft play area indoors, where adults can park themselves at a table and keep an eye out for their little ones. Depending on the weather and the time of year, there will be more or fewer outside attractions open. Great face painting and two cafes!
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Adventure Wonderland
Merritown LaneFabulous adventure park for families with young children (under 8s I would say). It’s a fun place even in bad weather, as there is a great soft play area indoors, where adults can park themselves at a table and keep an eye out for their little ones. Depending on the weather and the time of year, there will be more or fewer outside attractions open. Great face painting and two cafes!
Parks & Nature
Beautiful park with children's ice rink, two play areas, cricket pitches, water sports, crazy golf course, putting green and tennis courts, and outdoor gym equipment, aquatic birds, miniature railway
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Poole Park
Parkstone RoadBeautiful park with children's ice rink, two play areas, cricket pitches, water sports, crazy golf course, putting green and tennis courts, and outdoor gym equipment, aquatic birds, miniature railway
Wonderful place to visit - take a boat from Poole or Swanage. Largest island in Poole Harbour, home to red squirrels, peacocks and deer. Lovely walks, beaches, picnic areas, outdoor theatre. National Trust.
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Brownsea Island
Wonderful place to visit - take a boat from Poole or Swanage. Largest island in Poole Harbour, home to red squirrels, peacocks and deer. Lovely walks, beaches, picnic areas, outdoor theatre. National Trust.
Drinks & Nightlife
Local pub, serving excellent food at good value prices. Lovely garden with children's play area, and often live music in the summer. Children and dogs welcome. Literally a 1 minute walk from the cottage. On Thursday evenings, 5-8pm, catch the Coastal Crust Pizza van in the car park - the best pizzas ever! Buy your pizzas and sit in the pub garden with your drink, or bring your pizza back to the cottage, depending on the weather.
The Globe Inn
3 Bell StLocal pub, serving excellent food at good value prices. Lovely garden with children's play area, and often live music in the summer. Children and dogs welcome. Literally a 1 minute walk from the cottage. On Thursday evenings, 5-8pm, catch the Coastal Crust Pizza van in the car park - the best pizzas ever! Buy your pizzas and sit in the pub garden with your drink, or bring your pizza back to the cottage, depending on the weather.
Great place- friendly atmosphere with tasty food. A character restaurant with a great wine menu.
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Tawnys Wine Bar
52 High StGreat place- friendly atmosphere with tasty food. A character restaurant with a great wine menu.