Historic WWII radar station at Worth Matravers up for sale A former World War Two radar station at Worth Matravers that played a role in Britain’s pioneering radar programme is set to go under the hammer at auction.
New Dorset nature reserve at Arne on track to open early 2027 A long awaited £55 million scheme to create a new tourist attraction by flooding large swathes of low lying grassland for wading birds is nearing completion at Arne near Wareham ... 
Sandbanks Ferry Company to increase tolls and go cashless A new fare structure for the Sandbanks Ferry, which operates between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset, is to be fully implemented, with the toll for vehicles going up 16 percent, ... 
Swanage event to celebrate the women shaping Purbeck life Women from across Purbeck who contribute to community life, business, education and the arts are to be honoured at a special International Women’s Day celebration in Swanage, Dorset 
Flying Scotsman locomotive to return to Swanage Railway An extra special treat is being lined up for Swanage Railway’s 50th anniversary - the world famous Flying Scotsman steam locomotive will visit the heritage line in Dorset for ten ... 
Swanage Beach to get new sand after funding agreement A £4.5 million project to recharge Swanage’s Main Beach with more sand and to build a new groyne made of rock, is now on track for 2028, to help protect ... 
Man camping at Chapman’s Pool airlifted to ambulance While wild camping at Chapman’s Pool near Worth Matravers in Dorset, a man suffered severe back pain and had to be rescued by the coastguard search and rescue helicopter due ... 
Paddle boarders and dog rescued by Swanage emergency services In two separate incidents, Swanage and St Albans coastguard teams helped with the rescue of two paddle boarders drifting out to sea off Old Harry, and then undertook a search ... 
Teenager dies and two in hospital after car crash near Sandford An 18 year old man, who was a passenger in a car, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, following a single vehicle collision on Morden Road near Sandford in ... 
WW2 hand grenade blown up at Chapman’s Pool The Army explosive ordnance team had to be called in after a suspicious looking object was found on the beach at Chapman’s Pool near Worth Matravers in Dorset - WATCH ... 
Dummy washes up in Durlston Bay after stormy weather A surprising casualty of the recent storms was rescued by Swanage lifeboat crew after the National Coastwatch Institution team at Peveril Point spotted an object on the shoreline of Durlston ... 
Second home owners boost Swanage Town Council budget Latest financial figures indicate that most of Swanage’s second home owners are paying double council tax, rather than selling up or letting out their property to avoid the additional cost
Technical reports into Swanage seafront stabilisation published In response to public demand, engineering reports monitoring the ground movement of a subsiding section of Swanage’s seafront have been released, along with a document detailing the best method to ... 
Bid by Dorset Council to elect Wessex Mayor in 2027 With the chance to get millions of pounds in extra funding, Dorset Council is pushing ahead to create a new Wessex authority along with neighbouring councils, to be headed up ... 
Langton House gets go ahead for holiday cottages and shepherd huts Despite objections from local residents and Langton Matravers parish council in Dorset, the historic Langton House has been granted planning permission to build two new holiday homes and locate two ... 
Name of newly elected Swanage Town councillor announced Following a by-election, a new councillor has been appointed to Swanage Town Council in Dorset 
Names of candidates for Swanage Town Council election announced The official list of candidates who are standing for election in Swanage in Dorset has been announced, following the resignation of Sarah Brookes 
Swanage residents air views on plans for new housing In an attempt to meet government targets on building new homes, Dorset Council has produced a draft Local Plan allocating land for development but it’s proving controversial especially in environmentally ... 
Tribute paid to teenage son who died in car crash near Wareham The family of an 18 year old who sadly died when he was in a car that crashed near Wareham in Dorset, say he was dearly loved and will be ... 
Swanage woman publishes powerful life story of tragedy and hope In an extraordinary memoir Dani Elm, who lives in Swanage, Dorset, has laid bare her life before and after a devastating car accident in Wales, in which her four year ... 
Swanage skipper delivers hope and help to Gambia orphans Swanage sea skipper Doug Hamlen along with his wife Rose, are helping to change lives in The Gambia, on their annual trip to take medical aid to one of the ... 
Coastal walk to honour life of much loved Swanage dancer Friends of Swanage dancer Alistair Moss are being urged to join a walk in his memory from Bournemouth to Worth Matravers in Dorset, while also raising money for mental health ... 
Service of thanks for long serving soldier of Swanage church A special church service is to be held to pay tribute to a long standing soldier in Swanage’s Salvation Army, who has just retired after 22 years of selling his ... 
Driver makes knife threats outside Swanage restaurant A vehicle was seen to collide with pedestrians and the driver was reported to have produced a knife and made threats outside a seafront restaurant in Swanage, Dorset
Two boys and van driver incident in Wool investigated by police There’s an appeal by police for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, following a suspicious incident in Wool, in Dorset. It was reported to Dorset Police that at ... 
Police increase patrols after burglary spree in Swanage Three properties in Swanage, Dorset, have been broken into within a period of four days and Dorset Police says it has increased its police presence in light of these burglaries 
Cause of Purbeck heath fires believed to be ‘deliberate’ Four fires across Purbeck heathland, which all happened within hours of each other, are believed to have been started intentionally according to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service 
Man in hospital with serious injuries after assault in Swanage Following an assault in Swanage in Dorset, a man has been arrested by police, while another is in hospital with a serious head injury 
Man and woman sought after burglary in West Lulworth Dorset Police have issued an image of a man and a woman that they would like to identify as they investigate a burglary in West Lulworth in Dorset 
Arson attack on Wytch Farm barn causes £30,000 worth of damage A series of fires close to the Perrenco UK oil and gas site at Wytch Farm near Corfe Castle in Dorset are thought to have been deliberately started, according to ... Sandbanks Ferry Company to increase tolls and go cashless A new fare structure for the Sandbanks Ferry, which operates between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset, is to be fully implemented, with the toll for vehicles going up 16 percent, ... 
Potholes in Corfe Castle and Norden car parks to be repaired After recent wet weather, 10 of Dorset Council’s car parks that are most in need of repair, including the ones at Corfe Castle and Norden in Dorset, are to be ... 
Compromise proposed by Dorset Council for Swanage’s Shore Road In an effort to appease as many as possible, a decision has been made to keep the traffic two way along Swanage’s seafront while also partially widening the pavements, however ... 
Evidence suggests Shore Road survey deliberately distorted A deliberate attempt to distort the outcome of the consultation about the future of Shore Road - the road which runs parallel to the beach in Swanage, Dorset - has ... 
Wareham ground level rail crossing to temporarily close The pedestrian crossing at Wareham station in Dorset, which connects two halves of the town, is to be closed for up to four days due to electrical work 
New Dorset nature reserve at Arne on track to open early 2027 A long awaited £55 million scheme to create a new tourist attraction by flooding large swathes of low lying grassland for wading birds is nearing completion at Arne near Wareham ...
Swanage Beach to get new sand after funding agreement A £4.5 million project to recharge Swanage’s Main Beach with more sand and to build a new groyne made of rock, is now on track for 2028, to help protect ... 
New builds on Old Malthouse field must include affordable homes Former school playing fields in the middle of Langton Matravers, Dorset, are to be redeveloped for housing - but 40 percent of the new homes will have to be affordable ... 
Rare footage captured of Studland beavers mating The wild beaver that decided to swim to Swanage and tried to make a home next to the town’s toilets has been caught on camera mating, following her relocation back ... 
Shipwreck excavated from Studland beach in race against waves Archaeologists have safely recovered a section of a 17th century shipwreck on Studland Bay, after winter storms exposed historic timbers hidden for 400 years. 
Storm Chandra reveals 400 year old ship timbers at Studland The remarkable discovery of part of a shipwreck, believed to be from the 17th Century, has been found buried in the sand at Studland Bay in Dorset, following winter storms 
Swanage coastguard warns of hazards as coast takes ‘battering’ Following three storms in the first month of 2026 and the continued pounding of the sea along the Purbeck coastline in Dorset, the Swanage coastguard has issued a warning Flying Scotsman locomotive to return to Swanage Railway An extra special treat is being lined up for Swanage Railway’s 50th anniversary - the world famous Flying Scotsman steam locomotive will visit the heritage line in Dorset for ten ... 
Railway 200 train arrives at Swanage Railway to celebrate historic milestones As Swanage Railway marked its 50th anniversary, the Railway 200 train arrived at Corfe Castle station to join the party, commemorating 200 years since the first ever passenger train journey 
New exhibition and reunion to mark Swanage Railway’s 50th As part of a community weekend to celebrate 50 years since the start of the rebuilding of Swanage station, there will be a photographic exhibition detailing the restoration of the ... 
Special Railway 200 train to visit Corfe Castle during half term As part of its tour of Britain, the Railway 200 train is to visit Corfe Castle station in Dorset to celebrate 200 years since the first passenger train journey 
Swanage Railway’s Winter Warm Up melts ice over freezing weekend Despite the zero degree temperature, visitors braved the weather for the Swanage Railway’s Winter Warm Up event in Dorset, which saw diesel and steam locomotives in action along the heritage ... 
Little orphan Sammie finds new home at Monkey World A tiny orphaned orangutan with a remarkable story has recently arrived at Monkey World near Wool in Dorset, where staff are providing round the clock care.
Yee-haw! Swanage Carnival gets ‘wild’ about its 2026 theme Volunteers posing on the platform at Swanage station in Dorset, needed little encouragement to get dressed up in double denim and ride inflatable horses at the official launch of Swanage ... 
What happened in Swanage in 2025? In a year when global news remained gloomy, Swanage and Purbeck mainly offered lots of good news - helped by a glorious spring and summer of sunshine! 
Hundreds join in Swanage Boxing Day swim despite plunging temperature The Boxing Day swim became a Boxing Day dip at Swanage Bay in Dorset, as cold temperatures and weather conditions meant it was less desirable to spend too much time ... 
Swanage Pier gets flying visit from Santa’s reindeer Santa’s reindeer finally landed on Swanage Pier in Dorset at the second attempt - and proved a stomping success! 
Visitors view winter solstice sunrise from Corfe Castle window of kings Visitors to Corfe Castle in Dorset were given an opportunity to see the sunrise on the shortest day from a unique vantage point which was once only the privilege of ... 
Festive success for Swanage Christmas Market Swanage Christmas Market in Dorset was blessed with perfect weather conditions as it went ahead after being postponed for a week due to strong wind gusts - for the second ... Swanage event to celebrate the women shaping Purbeck life Women from across Purbeck who contribute to community life, business, education and the arts are to be honoured at a special International Women’s Day celebration in Swanage, Dorset 
Cake Concert to bring music and memories to The Mowlem A relaxed concert designed for older people and those living with dementia, but open to all, is coming to Swanage in Dorset, filled with music to evoke memories and fuelled ... 
Big Sara the allosaurus roars into Kimmeridge museum A 150 million year old dinosaur has found a new home on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, after Big Sara the allosaurus moved into the Etches Museum at Kimmeridge 
Free music concerts swing into The Mowlem A new series of relaxed afternoon concerts raised the newly repaired roof at The Mowlem in Swanage, bringing swing and jazz concerts to daytime audiences in the heart of the ... 
Swanage School caps decade of drama with sweet treat The curtain is about to rise on a very special performance as The Swanage School in Dorset, celebrates 10 years of remarkable stage shows with an imaginative production of Charlie ... 
Forget me not club launches in Swanage A new group has started in Swanage, Dorset, offering support for those living with dementia and their carers
More cooking inspiration being dished up for free in Swanage The Friendly Food Club is offering more community cooking classes for adults, plus there’s a new course to support parents moving their babies from milk to meals, in Swanage, Dorset 
Purbeck’s family hubs to get funding boost Dorset is to get £2.3 million in government funding to grow and enhance its network of family hubs which provide support for children, parents and carers - and the Swanage ... 
Swanage cooking course serves up new skills and friendship A new community cooking course in Swanage in Dorset, has got off to a strong start, with a dozen residents attending the first Friendly Food Club session 
Foleys Garage leads drive for new Harman’s Cross defibrillator Plans to install a second life saving defibrillator in Harman's Cross near Swanage in Dorset, have taken a big step forward thanks to a fundraising campaign led by staff at ... 
Working together is top of agenda for Purbeck healthcare providers Health and wellbeing professionals got together in Swanage, Dorset, to showcase what they do, with the aim of breaking down silos and creating a more joined up experience for patients 
NHS team brings health and wellbeing event to Swanage There’s an opportunity to find out what health and wellbeing services are available to Purbeck residents and a chance to speak to the providers at an event at The Mowlem ... 
High tech drones scour Bovington Camp for the Mother of all tanks A high tech hunt is being carried out on the British Army base at Bovington Camp in Dorset to find a unique piece of military history - the buried remains ... 
Swanage school hosts Christmas tea party for local community Excited students welcomed guests for a Christmas tea party at The Swanage School in Dorset, reviving a tradition that had been abruptly halted by the Covid pandemic in 2020 
Bovington mum dreams up plan to ensure a perfect prom for all A late night thought from sleepless mum of four Louise Burns about the cost of living has snowballed into a generous idea to make school prom dreams come true for ... 
Purbeck primary pupils get 24-hour outdoor adventure An initiative by Swanage outdoor company Land and Wave has made it possible for local school children to have a subsidised 24-hour camping adventure, just like the thousands from across ... 
Gold medal winning florist to put on show for Purbeck Flower Club The Purbeck Flower Club, which meets monthly at The Mowlem in Swanage, Dorset, is to take over the main auditorium to host a talk and demonstration by a former UK ... Historic WWII radar station at Worth Matravers up for sale A former World War Two radar station at Worth Matravers that played a role in Britain’s pioneering radar programme is set to go under the hammer at auction.
Shoppers queue to be first through door of Sandford’s new Lidl Excitement mounted as about 50 shoppers turned up early to witness the opening of the new Lidl at Sandford in Dorset - the first budget supermarket in the area for ... 
Wareham loses its last bank as Lloyds shuts branch Lloyds Banking Group has announced a further 95 branch closures across the UK, including its Wareham branch in Dorset, which is the last remaining bank in the town 
Supersized Greggs planned for Swanage The fast food and bakery chain Greggs is proposing to double the size of its store in Swanage, Dorset, to include a larger seating and eating area for customers 
A Lidl in love: Opening date for Purbeck store confirmed Shoppers are counting down the days to getting Purbeck’s first budget supermarket, as Lidl has set an opening date for its new store in Sandford, Dorset 
Innovation park at Wool to expand site after land purchase A further 15 acres of land has been acquired for the Dorset Innovation Park at Wool, to allow new tenants to move to the site and existing companies to expand 
Dream job opportunity on Brownsea Island Retailer John Lewis which runs the castle on Brownsea Island in the middle of Poole Harbour in Dorset, has advertised for a boat skipper and is offering live-in accommodation on ... 
Plans for 3G football pitch in Swanage moving forward An all-weather full size football pitch in Swanage, Dorset, may become a reality after the Football Foundation has backed plans to install a 3G playing surface at Days Park 
Swanage woman recalls hurtling into Winter Olympic history at 90mph As the 25th Winter Olympic games builds up to a climax, one Swanage woman is watching the events with extra interest. 
Permission granted for new outdoor gym in Corfe Castle Corfe Castle in Dorset is to get replacement outdoor gym equipment but it will be located on a new site, despite objections from some local residents 
Major work starts to install new ramps at Swanage skatepark Brand new specially designed ramps are being welded in place at Swanage skatepark in Dorset after a successful £75,000 community fundraiser to rejuvenate part of the much loved facility 
Traitors star Jonathan Ross pays surprise visit to Swanage’s football club Dropping in to Swanage Town and Herston Football club in Dorset, Celebrity Traitors star Jonathan Ross offered his allegiance (or was it an alliance!?) to the club's under 11 girls’ ... Most read
Swanage News – Independent local breaking news
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