Swanage – a cute little town I really want to explore properly

I really need to spend more time in Swanage. Here’s my to-do list for next time I visit.

I didn’t realise that there were so many things to do in Swanage.

After a fabulous day exploring Studland Bay from Sandbanks to Old Harry Rocks, we drove round the next bay to the small coastal town of Swanage for the last hour or so of the day before everything closed for Easter.

As the shops were all closing in the next hour, we hit those first. I found an independent bookshop – always the sign of a good town – with a decent local books section. I ended up buying a couple on the local area.

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Exploring Studland Bay from Sandbanks to Old Harry Rocks

White sand beaches, blue sea, dramatic rock formations, an unusual ferry, ice-creams and folklore – is there any better way to spend a beautiful day in Dorset?

Easter Saturday was a gorgeous sunny and warm day; perfect for exploring the beautiful beaches of Dorset’s Studland Bay. Starting from the Sandbanks ferry we hopped across to the Isle of Purbeck and spent the whole day dipping in and out of the different beaches until we got to Old Harry Rocks at the the Southern tip of Studland Bay.

But before I tell you all about it, a bit geography. Have a look at the map below.

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Exploring the World’s Biggest Tank Museum

Visit the world’s largest collection of tanks at the Tank Museum in Dorset.

There are over 300 tanks at the Tank Museum in Dorset making it not just the largest museum dedicated to tanks, but the largest collection of tanks in the world.

So you know even before you visit, that you’re going to see an awful lot of tanks. I’d been warned to allow a whole day. Fortunately they have a very nice cafe so it was easy to take a couple of breaks. I even got to try to my first piece of Dorset Apple Cake in the cafe here.

Looking towards the entrance of the Tank Museum in Dorset Exploring the World's Biggest Tank Museum www.invertedsheep.com
The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset
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Visiting Mary Shelley’s Grave

Mary Shelley’s grave is in a beautiful churchyard in Bournemouth. Don’t let the tranquillity fool you though – there’s some gory history to be found here.

Did you know that Mary Shelley, author of the novel, Frankenstein, is buried in Bournemouth? I found this out when doing some research for my trip to Dorset. I was going to be at a conference in Bournemouth, but always want to make time to see a few things even when I’m somewhere for work reasons. On one of the days, I had an early breakfast and on the way to the conference centre made a detour to the graveyard at St Peter’s Church.

www.invertedsheep.com Visiting Mary Shelley's Grave. Exterior of the church.
St Peter’s Church
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An Afternoon at the Russell-Cotes Museum

OMG!!! is what I have to say about Bournemouth’s Russell-Cotes Museum. And I’m not a person who says OMG.

Bournemouth’s Russell-Cotes Museum was such a lovely surprise. I’d put it on my list of things to do whilst I was in Bournemouth just because it was a thing to do. I didn’t know what to expect from it, but fortunately that has never stopped me wanting to explore somewhere new. I knew it was a museum and I knew it was in an old house, both things I like, so I was expecting to enjoy it. What I wasn’t expecting was to be so completely wowed by it.

An Afternoon at the Russell-Cotes Museum. www.invertedsheep.com. Image of large turreted house. The house is cream coloured and has lots of bay windows and balconies. It is seen across a lush garden.
This is the entrance way – what a fabulous first-view it is!

I walked round with eyes wide, jaw on the floor, and finger clicking away on my phone taking a zillion pictures. None of which really do it justice because it’s one of those places you have to see with your own eyes to believe.

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Is Bournemouth Oceanarium Worth a Visit?

Bournemouth Oceanarium has more than just fish. It’s got sharks, crocs, penguins, otters and a very friendly turtle. But is Bournemouth Oceanarium worth a visit? Read on to find out.

At Easter I spent 5 days at a conference in Bournemouth. I arrived a few hours ahead of time on the Sunday and wandered down to the seafront. After a stroll to stretch my legs after a long drive I thought I’d make the most of my spare hours by popping into the Oceanarium.

It was surprisingly expensive for what looked like a small aquarium – I can’t remember exactly what I paid, but I’ve just checked their website and it’s currently £16 to pay on the door – so I did hesitate, but then decided to go for it anyway.

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An Evening Wander from Bournemouth to Sandbanks

A gorgeous evening walk by the beach in Dorset from Bournemouth to Sandbanks

I’d been in Bournemouth for the best part of a week attending a conference and now, as it was Easter weekend, I was about to head a few miles further west along the coast to Poole to have a few days’ holiday with a friend. First though, there was something I wanted to do.

I wanted to walk along the seafront from Bournemouth to Sandbanks.

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How to Make Traditional Dorset Lettuce Soup (that no-one in Dorset has ever heard of!)

Lettuce soup is supposedly a traditional Dorset dish, but do you think I could find any on my recent visit? No, not only could I not find any, but it seemed no-one had even heard of it. So I resorted to making my own when I got home.

As part of my planning before I visit a place I like to research what the traditional foods are. As I was going to be spending Easter in Dorset I did my usual research and discovered that I needed to look out for Dorset Apple Cake, Dorset Blue Vinny cheese, Dorset Knobs and lettuce soup.

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The King’s Cross Light Tunnel

Did you know there’s a special way to get to the trendy foodie hotspots of Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard from King’s Cross Station? You basically get to walk through an arty light installation.

You may think of King’s Cross Station as somewhere to pass quickly through when catching a train and most of the time that’s all you’ll want to do. However, if you have a bit of time, or even just want to see something that’s a bit different and will make you go ‘ooooh’ then it’s worth allowing that bit of extra time here.

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The Hardy Tree in Old St Pancras Burial Ground

Just behind St Pancras Station there’s an old burial ground with lots of history and lots of literary connections. And a very macabre tree.

I’m off to Dorset at Easter. Mainly for a conference but, as it’s a beautiful part of the country and as I’m off work, it would be a wasted opportunity if I didn’t tag on a few days’ holiday.

Thinking of Dorset has made me think of Thomas Hardy.

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