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.
My friend bought himself a new backpack from a very helpful guy in a little outdoors shop. Then we found a deli. I’d been looking for Dorset Blue Vinny cheese as I really like to try local foods when I’m in a new place. This was the first place I actually found any. Apparently there’s only one dairy in Dorset (make that, in the world) that produces it which is why it can be hard to find.
Dorset Blue Vinny is a softish blue cheese that wasn’t going to travel well, so I couldn’t buy any to take home with me. However, the guy in the shop made us a couple of well-filled sandwiches with it which we took to eat in our hotel room for dinner. They were soooo good.
He had some slices of simnel cake on the counter along with a whole one. We were going to buy a couple of slices to eat on Easter Sunday. Instead he offered us the whole cake for half price. It wasn’t going to sell as we were likely his last customers before he closed for Easter, so I guess it made sense for him to give a big discount to get rid of it. For us, it meant it wasn’t much more than the price of two slices so we said yes. Of course we could eat a whole cake between the two of us!
There were other equally interesting looking shops but we were too late for them. There was also a museum but that had closed as well.
Instead we walked down to the sea front and followed the promenade for a while before finding somewhere to sit and enjoy the evening sun.
The whole place was so lovely, I really want to go back when I’ve got more time and when everything is open, so I can explore it properly.
Here are a few things I’d like to do next time I visit Swanage.
1. Visit the Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre
The Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre has lots of displays explaining the history of Swanage. This includes the buildings and industries as well as the people associated with the town.
2. Explore the streets of Old London by the Sea
Old London by the Sea was a nickname for Swanage in the 1800s. George Burt, a wealthy benefactor of the town, ‘rescued’ lots of London buildings (or parts of them) and had them installed in Swanage. For example, the 17th century Town Hall facade is actually the re-erected facade from the Mercers’ Hall at Cheapside in London. Over 100 cast iron bollards dotted around town bear the names of London parishes such as St James’s or Bloomsbury because – did you guess? – they originally stood on London streets.
3. Walk in the footsteps of Enid Blyton
I loved Enid Blyton’s books as a child. Especially the Famous Five. Enid spent many holidays in Dorset and drew lots of inspiration for her books from the county. She usually stayed in Swanage with her daughters and later with just her husband. I’d love to walk in her footsteps and see the places she stayed and the things she saw. The Dorset tourist board has put together a handy Enid Blyton Trail leaflet.
4. See the World at Durlston Country Park
Durlston Country Park sits on the hill above Swanage. It sounds like a nice place to visit in its own right, but what I’m most interested in is the giant stone globe. This well-known local landmark has been there since 1887 and is one of the largest stone spheres in the world. Surrounding it are plaques with quotes from poets and the Bible. The globe must be worth seeing and I imagine the views will be pretty good too.
5. Gorge on chocolate and cheese
Of course I’ve got to go back to the deli to get some more Dorset Blue Vinny. But I’ve discovered that Swanage also has an award-winning chocolate shop. Chococo sells hot chocolate and chocolate brownies as well as bars and boxes of chocolates. I fancy the box of chocolate fish ‘n’ chips.
So what do you think of my list of things to do in Swanage? Would any of them be on your list? Have you been to Swanage? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below.
Books that are relevant to your visit
- Enid Blyton and her Enchantment with Dorset by Andrew Norman
- The Monument Murders by Rachel McLean (This is part of series of crime novels set in Dorset. In this one, the body is found at the Great Globe.)
Like this? Read these next:
- Exploring Studland Bay from Sandbanks to Old Harry Rocks
- Is Bournemouth Oceanarium worth a visit?
- An Evening Wander from Bournemouth to Sandbanks
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