Swanage is a popular seaside town on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. It’s the perfect destination for a fun-filled getaway, whether you’re travelling solo, as a family or with friends.
To help you plan your getaway we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite attractions and natural beauty spots into a handy week-long itinerary. There’s so much to see and do, you’ll have to come back for another week!
Day 1: Arrival day
Keep it simple on the first day of your holiday, you’ll need your energy for later in the week! Spend some time getting settled into your accommodation before heading into Swanage for an evening stroll along the beach.
Our Swanage Holiday Park is situated in an ideal location, just 20 minutes walk from Swanage beach town centre. Walk along the seafront, have a paddle and grab some fish and chips to enjoy as the sun goes down.
If you’d prefer a more relaxed affair, stay on park and make the most of our excellent facilities. Enjoy a quick dip in our indoor swimming pool or head to the Village Inn bar, restaurant and beer garden for a bite to eat and drink.
Day 2: Durdle Door & Lulworth Cove
Today is dedicated to exploring two of the most popular locations on the Jurassic Coast! We recommend setting off early to give yourself plenty of time to soak up the views before the crowds arrive.
Head to the carpark at Lulworth Cove and spend some time exploring the pretty village before making your way down to the beach. From here you can admire the picturesque scenery whilst enjoying a tasty coffee from one of the nearby cafes.
Follow the coast path up and over the hill to see Stairhole and Lulworth Crumple. These unique rock formations have a rich geological history and date back thousands of years.
Continue walking up the hill towards Durdle Door. The walk is only a mile but it’s very steep in places so a good level of fitness is required.
On your descent to Durdle Door you will see Man o’ War Bay on your left. This lesser-known beach looks absolutely stunning in the sunshine – the water is the most beautiful aqua colour!
When you reach the cliff edge, you’ll see Durdle Door in all it’s glory. The spectacular limestone arch is one of the most iconic landmarks in Dorset and a must-visit during any trip. From the elevated clifftop location you’ll have an excellent vantage point for taking photos along the coastline and towards Portland in the distance.
If you’ve got energy to spare you can head down onto the beach itself to have a picnic or while away the afternoon in the sun. Do remember, it’s quite the trek with lots of stairs to contend with, so proceed with caution and leave yourself plenty of time to head back to the car.
Parking: Lulworth Cove Car Park, BH20 5RS
Distance from Ulwell: 16 miles, 30 mins by car
Top tip: make use of toilet food / drink facilities at Lulworth Cove before heading to Durdle Door. Durdle Door doesn’t have any amenities.
Optional attractions / activities: Lulworth Castle
Potential detours: Kimmeridge Bay, Dancing Ledge, Tyneham Village and Worbarrow Bay
Day 3: Swanage Railway & Corfe Castle
Step back in time and board the historic Swanage Railway to take in the Dorset countryside from the comfort of a steam locomotive. Enjoy views of the Purbeck Hills as you make your way towards the picture perfect village of Corfe.
Alight at Corfe station and head out into the village, which is reminiscent of a bygone era. With pretty shops and excellent pubs it’s a lovely place to spend a quiet afternoon.
The ruins of Corfe Castle are perched high on the hilltop above the village, creating an impressive backdrop worthy of a photograph. The ruins are open to the public (entrance fee payable to the National Trust) if you’ve got time to explore.
You can head back to Swanage on the train or follow the Purbeck Ridgeline if you’re in the mood for a walk. The route is about 8 miles in total and boasts views of Poole Harbour and even the Isle of Wight on a clear day.
Parking: Central Car Park, BH19 1HP
Distance from Ulwell: 1.5 miles, 6 mins by car
Optional attractions / activities: Corfe Castle Model Museum, Dorset Adventure Park, Purbeck Mining Museum, Putlake Farm
Potential detours: Norden
Day 4: Studand Beach & Old Harry Rocks
We highly recommend a trip to the Studland Peninsula during your week long holiday in Swanage. This picturesque part of Dorset is the inspiration behind Enid Blyton’s children’s novels and well worth a visit whether you plan on a relaxing beach day or exploring the heathland that flanks the coast.
If you’re staying at Ulwell Holiday Park, you can leave your car on site and head there on foot – it takes about an hour to the village and further if you want to explore the various beaches or Old Harry Rocks. If you’re travelling by car, head to South or Middle Beach and start your day by walking to Old Harry Rocks. It’s just about a mile in each direction and flat all the way.
Old Harry Rocks are impressive chalk stacks that jut out into the sea. There’s great views from the top, but they’re equally impressive if you’d prefer to admire them from the beach! On your walk to the beach stop at the Bankes Arms for a refreshing drink. They have an excellent beer garden with plenty of outdoor seating.
Once you’ve finished exploring head to one of Studlands 3 beaches. Spend a couple of hours people watching or soaking up the sunshine. There are a couple of providers offering watersports hire if you’re looking for a more adrenaline fuelled afternoon.
Parking: South Beach Car Park, BH19 3AU or Middle Beach Car Park, BH19 3AX
Distance from Ulwell: 2 miles, 5 mins by car
Optional attractions / activities: Fore Adventure, Studland Trekking Centre, Sae Seaweed, Fort Henry
Potential detours: Agglestone Rock
Day 5: Blue Pool & Wareham
Blue Pool is one of the most popular attractions in the area and it’s not difficult to see why! As the name suggests, the focal point is a picturesque water-filled pool that changes colour based on the conditions. The water is surrounded by woodland with lovely shaded walks to enjoy. Spend time exploring the network of paths – don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!
Blue Pool is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic. There’s also a tearooms and the UK’s longest rope bridge!
Next make the short drive into Wareham, a pretty market down with a river passing along the outskirts. Spend the afternoon browsing the shops, completing the town walls walk or simply relaxing by the river. You can even book a boat trip to take you up the river and into Poole Harbour.
Round the evening off in The Granary Pub overlooking the river.
Parking: Blue Pool, BH20 5AR & Wareham Quay Parking BH20 4LP
Distance from Ulwell: 9 miles, 17 minutes by car
Optional attractions / activities: Wareham Boat Trips
Potential detours: Arne Nature Reserve, Wareham Town Museum, Carey’s Secret Garden
Day 6: Poole & Brownsea Island
Head to neighbouring Poole for a jam-packed day of sightseeing. Whether you’re in the mood for a day of shopping, a tasty meal on the quayside or a scenic boat trip – there’s plenty to keep the family entertained!
We highly recommend combining your visit to Poole with a trip to Brownsea Island. This picturesque island is a haven for wildlife and offers plenty for adventurous families looking for a fun-filled day out.
Brownsea is the largest island in Poole Habour and home to one of the UK’s only populations of native red squirrels – keep a lookout for one of these cute creatures as you walk around the islands.
There’s a network of trails to discover and plenty of wildlife hides. Younger members of the family will love the different play areas on offer.
Parking: Harbourside Car Park 1 BH15 1UX
Distance from Ulwell: 20 miles, 40 minutes by car or 10.5 miles, 50 minutes by car (including car ferry)
Top tip: If you don’t fancy driving you can easily catch a bus from the park.
Optional attractions / activities: Splashdown, Poole Park, Upton Country Park, Tower Park, Compton Acres
Potential detours: Bournemouth
Day 7: Swanage Beach & Durlston Country Park
Don’t travel too far today – spend some time discovering the beauty on our doorstep! Head into Swanage and spend the morning relaxing on the beach or purusing the fantastic independent shops in the town centre. There’s plenty of places to pick up a souvenir to remind you of your visit.
After you’ve enjoyed a tasty lunch head up the hill to Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve. Durlston is free to visit and is great for all ages. Head to the coast path and enjoy the far-reaching see views – you might spot a dolphin passing by!
Parking: Durlston Country Park Car Park BH19 2JL
Distance from Ulwell: 2 miles, 10 minutes
Optional attractions / activities: Swanage Pier, Swanage Museum, Swanage Sea Fishing
Day 8: Departure day
Today is your last day in Swanage – you can either head home early or plan one more activity to round off your holiday! You will have explored lot’s of the local area, but don’t worry – there’s still plenty to see and do!
If you haven’t visited already, consider going to one of the fantastic attractions nearby. We highly recommend a trip to award-winning Monkey World or world renowned Tank Museum. These fantastic attractions offer a wide variety of interactive displays and exhibits.
Where to stay
Ulwell Holiday Park is a family friendly holiday park on the outskirts of Swanage. We have a range of accommodation on offer, including touring, camping and glamping alongside holiday homes for hire.
Our facilities include an indoor swimming pool, children’s play area, enclosed dog exercise area, shop, bar & restaurant.
