Swanage Dorset

[quizzywig]

It's time for the family holiday (6 adults and 4 children) and we fancy Swanage in Dorset. Anyone have opinions on the beach there please? near to the Kings Road West area - is it area noisy? All comments very gratefully received.

[New Judge]

I stay in Swanage a couple of times a year (mainly because I am a steam railway nut).

Kings Road West is on the way out of the town and although it is a main road it is usually quite quiet. It is about seven or eight minutes from the beach, which is wide, clean and safe. The town has lost its way a bit in the past couple of years. The hostelries seem to have gone downhill somewhat and eating out if you want “pub grub” is not as good as it once was. There is a night club at the far end of the main road which can create a bit of noise at chucking out time, but I’m usually well tucked up by then!

The town still has its attractions, though, but I don’t know that I’d care to spend more than about three nights there.

[quizzywig]

Thanks for your views New Judge. We won't be pub-grubbing, and as long as the beaches are good and there is plenty to amuse the children (aged 2-8) then we'll have a great hols!

[Richard1966]

I live in Poole and go to Swanage throughout the year. Its a small seaside town at the end of a limb so no passing visitors only those who made the decision to go there. That said I have seen it pretty busy in the summer. Nice sandy beach and nice shallow and sheltered bay.

[quizzywig]

Thanks Richard. We didn't want anywhere busy.

[boxtops]

Is the chain ferry still working, Richard? That was an attraction many years back when we holidayed in Swanage.

[New Judge]

Yes, the Sandbanks ferry is still working. Cost is £3.50 each way and it saves you about 15 miles round Poole Harbour if you're coming from the Bournemouth direction. A good day out (if the weather is nice enough) is to take the number 50 "Purbeck Breezer" open top bus from Swanage to Bournemouth. The bus goes on the ferry and provides top deck passengers with a fine view inland across the harbour and you can also peek into the multi-million pound properties at Sandbanks.

[Zeuhl]

Nice and close to the Studland Naturist Beach

[quizzywig]

Blimey!