Prior to the arrival of the railway, in 1885, Swanage was a small fishing port, which also shipped Purbeck Stone from the nearby quarries, hence Thomas Hardy's comment that everybody who was not a boatman in "Knollsea" was a quarryman.

The railway opened Swanage to tourism and its small town centre and sandy bay made it a popular holiday destination, complete with beach huts, punch and judy shows, carnival and blues festival.

The boat trips across the bay to Old Harry Rocks are one of the best ways to view the coastline, as is a trip on the Waverley, see Boat Trips.

The Mowlem Centre, located on the sea front contains a small theatre. The centre is named after John Mowlem, a stone and building contractor, who together with his nephew George Burt, made a fortune paving vast areas of London.

George Burt transported much unwanted stonework, bollards and lamp posts from London and re-deployed it in Swanage.

The Wellington Clock Tower is a prime example. This was declared a traffic hazard in London and relocated to Swanage in 1866. Its hard to imagine a traffic hazard in 1866!. Perhaps the horses bolted when the clock chimed.

Another example is the Town hall, which has an elaborate facade, taken from the Mercer's Hall in Cheapside, London.

George Burt also built Durlston Castle, which is now part of the Durlston Country Park, some 260 acres of countryside, which includes the Dolphin Watch on Durlston Head.

On Swanage sea front you will find a slightly unusual monument, dedicated to Alfred the Great to celebrate his victory over the Viking Fleet in Swanage Bay. The base of the monument culminates in a stack of cannon balls. No wonder he won! Clearly a man before his time.

Swanage Railway Station is central to the town and the start point for the Swanage Steam Railway, which is run entirely by volunteers. The line runs from Swanage via Corfe Castle to Norden, a chance to return to the age of steam and great fun for all concerned.

See also the following web site:-

Swanage