We’re pleased to announce that Swanage was recently named the best seaside town in Dorset by Which? members. Our beautiful coastal resort beat the likes of Weymouth, Lyme Regis, Bournemouth and Poole to the top spot and received some fantastic praise from past visitors.
Which? asked more than 4,000 holidaymakers to review their coastal holidays and rate destinations based on their beaches, peace and quiet, scenery, value for money and attractions. Swanage performed extremely well and achieved 80% on the overall customer satisfaction score.
The town was awarded 4 or more stars for every category and was voted a fantastic 5/5 for scenery!
Swanage survey results
Swanage beach – Which? rating 4/5
Which? members rated Swanage beach 4 out of a possible 5 stars. The vast stretch of golden sand is a fantastic asset to the town and much loved by visitors and locals, whatever the weather. On a hot and sunny day, Swanage beach is the perfect place for paddling in the shallows, building sandcastles or sitting back and taking in the views. In the winter, its ideal for a bracing dog walk, while wrapped up cosy and warm.
Peace & Quiet – Which? rating 4/5
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Swanage. While the beach and town centre can get busy in the summer months, there are plenty of quiet locations, where you can enjoy some quality family time and well-earned R&R. We love heading out into the countryside for a scenic walk or exploring the coastal path near sunset. Spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature is the perfect reset – you’ll return revitalised!
Attractions – Which? rating 4/5
There’s plenty of attractions to keep you entertained during a holiday in Swanage. Next to the seafront there’s amusement arcades, crazy golf and watersports hire, which are a hit with families with young children. A trip on Swanage’s heritage steam railway is an absolute must for visitors looking for a unique experience in Dorset. Durlston Country Park is great for wildlife watching and Swanage Pier is renowned for diving and fishing.
Value for money – Which? rating 4/5
Visitors rated Swanage 4/5 in terms of value for money. Swanage is an affordable seaside town in the UK, with something to suit all budget requirements. If you’re holidaying on a budget, you’ll find a fantastic selection of reasonably priced accommodation options to choose from, especially if travelling outside of the school holidays. Guests looking for a luxury experience can enjoy deluxe self-catering accommodation and acclaimed restaurants.
Scenery – Which? rating 5/5
Swanage received a fantastic 5 out of 5 stars in the scenery category. This is perhaps unsurprising given the town’s spectacular location on the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the beach there are far-reaching views out to sea and across the Purbeck Hills. Iconic natural landmarks such as Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks are all within easy reach.
Holidays in Swanage
We’re over the moon to see Swanage celebrated in the National Press. We know we’re fortunate to operate in such a wonderful part of the country and love sharing our picturesque town with visitors from near and far. Swanage is such a special place for so many people, and we’re lucky to be able to host visitors at Ulwell Holiday Park.
If you’re looking to holiday in Swanage and experience the best seaside town in Dorset for yourself, take a look at our website and browse our range of deluxe caravan holiday homes, camping and touring pitches and glamping accommodation.
Our family friendly holiday park has so much to offer visitors, including an indoor swimming pool, shop, play area and on-site bar and restaurant. The parks’ unbeatable location provides a convenient base from which to explore Swanage – we’re just a short walk from the beach and town centre and have excellent views over the Purbeck hills.
