Swanage

Swanage is a coastal town of 9,600 people (2011) in Dorset. It is at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck and one of its two towns. Town is a popular tourist resort, with many thousands of visitors coming to the town during the peak summer season, drawn by the bay's sandy beaches and other attractions.

Understand
The town was a small port and fishing village that flourished in the Victorian era, when it first became a significant quarrying port and later a seaside resort for the rich of the day.

Swanage has a gently sloping white sand beach which is sheltered and generally calm.

Besides the beach, there are other local attractions including the restored Swanage steam railway and the Victorian pier. The town may also be used a base from which to visit other nearby areas of interest, such as Corfe Castle.

During its history the bay was listed variously as Swanawic, Swanwich and Sandwich, and only in more recent history as Swanage.

The town is 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.

Climate
Swanage experiences a maritime climate with warm (but not hot) summers and cool winters. Within this climate zone, Swanage's coastal location ensures a smaller range in annual temperature than in places further inland. Rainfall typically peaks in winter, and is at its lowest during summer. The town's position on an east-facing bay provides it some protection from the prevailing southwesterly winds.

See
The beach is well served by local businesses providing refreshments and services. For hire are deck chairs, boats, pedalos and general watersports equipment. The seafront has two amusement arcades, several ice cream outlets, fish restaurants and cafes.



Buy
The town centre has a few medium-sized outlets for major retailers, a collection of local retailers, a number of cafes, bars, restaurants and pubs. The town also has a number of successful small-scale cottage industries.



Go next

 * Corfe Castle
 * Wareham (England)
 * Poole