A walk around Swanage, Dorset
Our walk takes us into Corfe Castle for lunch and a steam train!
(Photos/words © urban75, 15th-16th May, 2009)
Located in Swanage Bay at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck, Swanage is a small coastal town in the south east of Dorset, England.
Both fishing and quarrying have been important to the town's growth, with both industries dating back to at least the 1st century AD.
Under Roman occupation, the distinctive Purbeck marble was exported as far away as London, and the stone was in great demand in the 12th century, being used in the construction of large churches and cathedrals.
Helped by the arrival of the railway in 1885 offering direct journeys from London, the town grew into a popular Victorian resort, with the 1895 pier attracting pleasure steamer traffic.
Today, the bay's sandy beaches and seaside attractions remain popular with visitors, with tourism now being the town's primary industry.
Over the years, Swanage bay has been listed as Swanawic, Swanwich and Sandwich, before it settled on the present name, and sits at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site.
Swanage is first namechecked in historical texts in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of 877AD, after King Alfred whupped the Danes in battle, with the surviving Danish ships being driven by a storm onto Peveril Point, at the southern end of Swanage bay.
"This year came the Danish army into Exeter from Wareham; whilst the navy sailed west about, until they met with a great mist at sea, and there perished one hundred and twenty ships at Swanwich."
This 1882 monument topped by cannon balls was built by John Mowlem to celebrate the victory.
No takers for the deck chairs on Swanage beach.
Looking out to Swanage's surviving Victorian pier, now over 100 years old.
The original Swanage Pier was constructed in 1860 and was mainly used by the local stone quarrying industry. All that remains of it now are some timber piles.
The new pier was built by local businessman George Burt in 1897 to cater for regular steamer services to Poole and Bournemouth.
With the steamer services being discontinued in 1966, the remaining pier was saved from dereliction by the Swanage Pier Trust who raised over £1,000,000 to carry out major restoration work.
The pier is now open to the public, and offers small ferry services running mainly to Poole Quay with an annually visit by historic steamers including the Waverley paddle steamer and the MV Balmoral.
Sandcastles at Swanage.
Gaily painted pedalos on the sea front.
Clock shelter.
Lost children here!
A bunch of cheery old fellas who asked me to take their photograph.
One of the main shopping streets in Swanage.
Swanage Museum by the sea front.
The long-disused tracks of the Swanage Pier Tramway that once linked nearby stone stores to the original pier.
Looking across Swanage bay.
View of the 1897 pier.
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Swanage photos
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