High hopes for fruitful Purbeck Cider wassail The ancient tradition of wassailing has been held at the home of Purbeck Cider, near Corfe Castle in Dorset, to bless its orchards and encourage the trees to fruit well
Surge in sightings at Purbeck bird hide as new record is set A bird hide near Arne in Dorset has had a remarkable year of sightings, setting a new record for the highest number of different species spotted in one year 
Swanage RNLI crew join hijack exercise on cross channel ferry Local emergency crews, including a Swanage lifeboat team, joined a huge anti terrorist training exercise aboard a cross channel ferry in Poole Harbour in Dorset, after a simulated attack on ... 
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 
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 
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 
Swanage RNLI crew join hijack exercise on cross channel ferry Local emergency crews, including a Swanage lifeboat team, joined a huge anti terrorist training exercise aboard a cross channel ferry in Poole Harbour in Dorset, after a simulated attack on ... 
First shout of 2026 for Swanage lifeboat crew and coastguard During the evening of New Year’s day, pagers sounded for the first time in 2026 for the Swanage lifeboat crew and coastguard teams, following information that a small boat with ... 
Dog missing for eight days rescued by coastguard near Chapman’s Pool An eight day ordeal ended for Willow the dog and her owner, when the spaniel was spotted on a remote beach at the bottom of a cliff near Chapman’s Pool ... 
Dorset blue light services train for chemical crisis at The Tank Museum Dozens of Dorset police, fire and ambulance officers took part in an emergency training exercise at the Tank Museum in Bovington to test their response to a chemical incident. 
Ozzie the dog rescued after night stranded at Little Sea A frantic search across Studland Heath in Dorset for a missing dog called Ozzie, had a happy ending thanks to a multi-agency response from emergency services 
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 ... 
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 ... 
High Sheriff honours Wareham volunteer for exceptional service A Wareham man who has become a driving force behind three major Purbeck charities has been recognised with one of Dorset’s highest honours for voluntary service. 
Boris Johnson enjoys Studland break with his new baby Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has taken an autumn break in Purbeck with his wife and new baby daughter - and even braved a dip in the sea at Lulworth ... 
Mr Christmas spreads festive cheer in Swanage with toy appeal Swanage’s Mr Christmas, Ian Messinger, is spreading the magic of the festive season this year - with a toy appeal to help out families who are feeling the pinch. 
Swanage poppy appeal supporter recognised for long service A Swanage man, who is a familiar sight selling poppies around the Dorset town, has received a certificate of appreciation for his 20 years of voluntary service, from the director ... 
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 ... 
Man headbutted during ‘altercation’ in Swanage Dorset Police have issued an image of a man they would like to identify following an incident when a man was headbutted near Swanage Cricket Club in Day’s Park 
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 
Road closures in Swanage for Christmas market The centre of Swanage in Dorset is to be closed to traffic to allow the Swanage Christmas Market to take place, and there’s a warning about overnight parking 
Sandbanks Ferry gets approval for inflation linked fare rises In a long drawn out battle between Purbeck residents and the Sandbanks Ferry company, which operates between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset, it's been decided by the UK Government’s secretary ... 
Work starts to give Swanage more accessible kerb appeal A series of improvements are underway to make it easier for wheelchair and pram users to navigate around Swanage town centre in Dorset 
Work starts on roundabout to create entrance to new Sandford Lidl Construction of the new Lidl supermarket at Sandford near Wareham in Dorset is progressing and now work is about to begin to build an access road to the new car ... High hopes for fruitful Purbeck Cider wassail The ancient tradition of wassailing has been held at the home of Purbeck Cider, near Corfe Castle in Dorset, to bless its orchards and encourage the trees to fruit well
Surge in sightings at Purbeck bird hide as new record is set A bird hide near Arne in Dorset has had a remarkable year of sightings, setting a new record for the highest number of different species spotted in one year 
Middle Beach coastal erosion reveals old rubbish tip Decades of dumped waste and rubble at Middle Beach in Studland, Dorset, is now being exposed after the coastal defences were removed and the sandy cliffs have started to erode 
Purbeck wildlife celebrate nut and berry bonanza this winter Birds and animals have been feasting on a bumper crop of nuts and berries across Purbeck heath and woodland in Dorset, in a phenomenon which occurs about once every four ... 
Wareham farmer steps in as salmon numbers flounder The number of young Atlantic salmon in Dorset's River Frome has fallen by 70 percent in 20 years, but now Wareham farmer Ian Baggs is hoping to slow the dramatic ... 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 ... 
Beach walks to learn more about Swanage cliff erosion There’s an opportunity to find out why and how the cliffs along the shoreline in Swanage, Dorset, are collapsing, by coming along to a winter walk and talk hosted by ... 
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 ... 
Swanage Railway gets floral awards for its blooming lovely stations Volunteers who maintain the floral displays on the Swanage Railway station platforms have received well deserved recognition by the Royal Horticultural Society for their impressive work and are now looking ... 
Swanage Railway marks 50 years of rebuilding with special event Steaming into 2026, a special Winter Warm Up event at Swanage Railway in Dorset will celebrate 50 years since work started to restore the branch line 
Christmas carols and bagpipes bring festive joy to Swanage Railway The return of the Christmas carol concert train service to Swanage Railway in Dorset has proved to be a popular hit, with Corfe Castle station playing host to a choir, ... 
Return to tradition at Swanage Railway’s Yuletide Express launch After two years of the popular Polar Express experience on Swanage Railway in Dorset, a more traditional festive offering is being dished up for Christmas 2025 
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 ... 
Christmas tree festivals light up Purbeck Two Christmas tree festivals, the first in Langton Matravers and the second in Swanage, Dorset, have attracted hundreds of visitors to see the twinkling decorations, while raising much needed funds ... 
Pop up Santa shop in Swanage to give away free toys to families After an amazingly generous response to a Christmas gift appeal, a pop up shop called Santa’s Wish is to open for one day only in Swanage, Dorset, to give local ... 
New Purbeck poetry group to launch for better or verse! A community initiative aimed at raising the profile of poetry across Purbeck will be officially launched with a free public event in Swanage, Dorset 
Studland Bay wreck treasures get pride of place in new exhibition One of the world’s most important medieval shipwreck finds, from just off the coast of Studland in Dorset, has gone on permanent display in a newly reopened £10 million museum. 
Local artists invited to take part in Purbeck Art Weeks 2026 Applications are now open to exhibit during the two week annual summer showcase of art in Purbeck, Dorset, with opportunities for established artists and those who are just starting out 
Curtain up on comedy and chaos as Aladdin flies into Swanage Audiences are being invited to escape the winter blues with a magical trip to the Middle East as Swanage Drama Company brings much loved pantomime Aladdin to The Mowlem in ... 
Swanage News on YouTube in 2025 From the release of wild beavers in Studland to the aerobatics by the Red Arrows over Swanage Bay in Dorset, there’s always plenty happening in Purbeck and sometimes we get ... 
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 ... 
New food delivery service to launch in Swanage Swanage in Dorset is set to welcome a brand new food and grocery delivery service, designed to support local businesses and serve the community seven days a week
Is love in the air as Sandford Lidl aims at February opening? Work on Purbeck’s new Lidl store at Sandford in Dorset may have been halted for the holidays, but a countdown to a love match with locals has started in earnest. 
Purbeck groups urged to apply for Talbot Village Trust grants A Dorset based charitable trust that has transformed lives across Purbeck is urging community groups to come forward for its next round of funding. 
End of an era as Swanage barbers closes due to rent hike The longest serving barbershop in Swanage, Dorset, is having to close on the last day of 2025 after learning of a proposed rent rise of 375 percent 
Sandie’s barbershop still cutting it after 30 years in Swanage Swanage’s longest running barbershop has just celebrated its 30th anniversary, still at its original address and under the same management. 
Swanage Emporium reopens with cafe plans after shock closure Swanage’s much loved shop, The Emporium, has reopened its doors following months of extensive renovation work, with plans to launch a new community cafe soon. 
Swanage Business Award winners announced at seafront ceremony With 27 winners over 10 categories, the Swanage Business Awards 2025 were bigger and better than ever, rewarding the businesses which make a valuable contribution to the local economy 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’ ... 
Brave swimmer raises £3,000 for Swanage lifeboats A near blind Swanage sea swimmer has marked his comeback to the sport with a gruelling challenge to raise more than £3,000 for Swanage lifeboat station. 
Chess success as Purbeck teenager joins England team Teenage Purbeck chess champion Florence has made her move on a place in the England squad after a remarkable year of success on the national stage Most read
Swanage News – Independent local breaking news
Swanage News is an independent and daily source of news and information about Swanage and Purbeck, published online.
Our news coverage is thoroughly comprehensive and aims to inform and engage both visitors and the local community.
We love Swanage and want to support the town to continue as a fantastic place to live, work and visit, while preserving the best of the traditional feel of the local area.
For all the latest news updates, visit this site regularly or follow us on social media. If you have news to share, please contact us.
