New clues give fresh hope in hunt for Mother tank at Bovington A hunt for the world's first tank has gathered fresh momentum after a series of new clues have pointed investigators towards what may be her final resting place beneath heathland ... 5h · Tourism and events
Staff Sergeant Anthony Cherrett, right, and Craig Joynes of Operation Mother at TankFest 2026
Main beach on Seafront What’s on: Swanage summer 2026 It’s been a sizzling start to the summer in Swanage, Dorset, with three heatwaves so far, encouraging many to head to the beach and a dip in the sea, but ... 1d · Entertainment & arts
Sam Snowdon at the end of a 1,000 km run to raise money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Sam runs 100km for air ambulance that saved his life at Winspit Quarry A climber who nearly died after falling from cliffs at Winspit Quarry, Worth Matravers, has run 100 km to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. 2d · Emergency services
Etches Museum founder Steve Etches says the chance to excavate for a complete Sea Rex pliosaur skeleton is within grasp Countdown to Sea Rex rescue as Kimmeridge dig is set for 2027 A public appeal to fund the excavation of the most fearsome marine monster of all time from a cliff face in Kimmeridge has smashed through the half million pound barrier. 3d · Business
Swanage Carnival's 2026 programme is on sale now, all over town! Swanage Carnival launches its wacky Wild West programme Summer’s most anticipated publication, the official Swanage Carnival programme, has arrived hot off the press in shops and businesses across Purbeck. 4d · Tourism and events
Fire engines from across Dorset were called on to fight a heath fire at Agglestone Smoke warning in Studland as heath fire breaks out Studland residents were told to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed after 5,000 square metres of heathland went up in flames. 5d · Emergency services
Sam Snowdon at the end of a 1,000 km run to raise money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Sam runs 100km for air ambulance that saved his life at Winspit Quarry A climber who nearly died after falling from cliffs at Winspit Quarry, Worth Matravers, has run 100 km to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. 2 days ago
Fire engines from across Dorset were called on to fight a heath fire at Agglestone Smoke warning in Studland as heath fire breaks out Studland residents were told to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed after 5,000 square metres of heathland went up in flames. 5 days ago
A351 near Norden Man arrested following two vehicle collision near Norden Dorset Police say a man has been arrested on suspicion of a driving offence after the vehicle he was driving was involved in a crash on the A351 near to ... 1 week ago
Fire in Wareham Forest 4 July 2026 Latest Wareham Forest fire ‘started deliberately’ A fire in Wareham Forest which was tackled by crews from across Dorset, including firefighters from Wareham and Swanage, is believed to have been started deliberately 2 weeks ago
Dorset and Somerset's new air ambulance needs a name - can you help? Public asked to name new air ambulance covering Purbeck Life savers who run the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance are asking for public help to name their new £10 million helicopter - already a familiar sight in the skies ... 3 weeks ago
Swanage aerial
New plan for more homes in Swanage A blueprint for development of Swanage in Dorset has been published to guide future growth of the seaside town, rather than allow building work to happen with no strategic plan 3 weeks ago
Work is still under way on the adjacent site which received planning permission for 19 homes in 2020 Developers exploit loophole to create holiday let on Malthouse site In a surprising move, Dorset Council planners have allowed developers to get round a restriction on second homes on the Malthouse development in Langton Matravers 3 weeks ago
Lady Mayor of London visits Swanage Lady Mayor of London pays visit to Swanage Swanage in Dorset, or ‘Little London on Sea’ as it’s sometimes nicknamed due to all its old monuments and artefacts salvaged from the capital, played host to the Lady Mayor ... 1 month ago
Spa seafront beach huts May 2026 Swanage gets cash for ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity A major £5 million investment to stabilise part of the seafront and redesign the road which runs parallel to the beach in Swanage, has been unanimously approved by Dorset Council 2 months ago
Mike Bonfield and chris Tomes at town council annual meeting 2026 Youngest ever Swanage mayor elected to town council Councillor Chris Tomes who is 40 years old, has been voted in as the new Swanage town mayor, taking over from Councillor Mike Bonfield who served a total of five ... 2 months ago
Green seafront April 2025 Decision made to back £6.9m Swanage seafront option Swanage Town Council has revealed its preferred scheme to stop ground slippage along a section of the town’s seafront in Dorset, is the more expensive £6.9 million option, but to ... 3 months ago
Green seafront Legal change proposed to let Swanage stabilisation work go ahead It’s being proposed that two sections of land on Swanage’s seafront in Dorset, should lose their charitable status to allow Swanage Town Council to spend millions saving the area from ... 4 months ago
After a solo trek of more than eight weeks and 630 miles, Chris McKenna arrived at Studland Warm Studland welcome at end of trek to help fight Alzheimer’s A Dorset man whose family has been devastated by neurological brain conditions has completed an emotional 630 mile solo walk along the South West Coast Path, finishing on Studland Beach 1 week ago
Swanage resident Bunty Turner has celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends Swanage survivor of childhood TB celebrates 100th birthday A Swanage woman who survived three childhood bouts of tuberculosis and went on to play an important role in World War Two has marked her centenary with friends and family 2 months ago
High Sheriff of Dorset Helena Conibear will walk the county boundary of Dorset to raise awareness of a drugs threat to Dorset children High Sheriff to walk through Purbeck in 200 mile trek for youth The High Sheriff of Dorset is to walk more than 200 miles around the county’s boundary this summer, including a leg through Purbeck, to raise awareness of a drugs threat ... 2 months ago
Dante Dunbabin at Fort Henry New research rewrites Studland’s famous wartime story A long standing wartime anecdote linking some of the most famous Allied leaders to the famous Fort Henry observation post in Studland, Dorset, has been challenged by fresh evidence. It ... 3 months ago
Swanage community awards 2026 Swanage community champions receive top town awards The winners of the Swanage Town Council community awards 2025 were revealed during a ceremony at the annual parish assembly in Swanage, Dorset 3 months ago
Police had to close roads around East Lulworth through Easter Sunday as they worked to shut down the rave
Police issue CCTV images as investigation into Lulworth rave continues Detectives have issued images of six people they would like to identify as they continue to investigate reported disorder at an illegal rave near East Lulworth in Dorset 1 week ago
Church Knowle sign Woman gets police caution after dog attacks Church Knowle sheep A rare breed of Shetland sheep received serious injuries after it was attacked by a dog in Church Knowle near Corfe Castle in Dorset 3 months ago
Riot police had missiles thrown at them as they tried to close down an illegal rave at East Lulworth on Easter Sunday Police in riot gear shut down illegal rave in East Lulworth Dorset Police said its officers faced "a violent and hostile reception" as they moved in to close down an illegal music rave attended by more than 2,000 people in a ... 3 months ago
Wool and Bovington Motors in Dorchester Road Burglars target Wool petrol station just minutes from Dorset Police HQ Police are searching for two masked men after they stole tobacco products from a petrol station in Wool, just down the road from the new multi million Dorset Police headquarters ... 4 months ago
White Ford Transit van Transit van seized in Wareham by waste enforcement officers As part of an investigation into the illegal dumping of waste in Dorset, a white Ford transit van has been seized from an industrial estate in Wareham 4 months ago
Smoke on the Water restaurant in lower High Street 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 5 months ago
Dorchester Road, Wool 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 ... 8 months ago
Shore Road parking machine More enforcement officers to patrol parking on Swanage’s streets A review of parking across the Dorset Council area including Purbeck, is recommending to recruit more civil enforcement officers - the team who issue parking tickets on yellow lines - ... 1 week ago
Sandbanks Ferry protest 1st July 2026 Campaigners win battle to stop expiry of Sandbanks Ferry paper tickets Blue paper tickets to travel on the chain ferry between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset will not have an expiry date imposed, following protests on the first day of its ... 2 weeks ago
Barriers and ticket booth staff will disappear at the end of June 2026 to be replaced by cameras Pay online or face £30 fine once Sandbanks ferry cameras go live Automatic number plate recognition cameras are to be installed at Shell Bay in Studland, Dorset, as payment for the Sandbanks Ferry moves completely online 2 months ago
Wareham's level crossing is to be closed for 11 days for the gates to be replaced, reopening the debate about pedestrian access to the town centre Wareham’s level crossing to close again for £50,000 repairs A vital pedestrian railway crossing which connects two halves of Wareham is to shut for the next 11 days - the second closure in a year, this time to replace ... 2 months ago
The Swanage School Swanage school trials road closure to help keep pupils safe A road in Swanage, Dorset, is to be closed twice a day to make it safer for students walking to and from The Swanage School 3 months ago
Rachel Tapping found bees under her decking in Bovington
Bovington bees build huge hive under family’s garden decking An experienced beekeeper says a hive that made its home under a Bovington family’s garden decking is one of the largest he’s ever seen 6 days ago
Barbecue at Puddletown Forset fire Dorset retailers urged to stop selling disposable BBQs during extreme heat While shops in Swanage haven’t sold disposable barbecues for several years due to the fire risk, many major retailers in Dorset like Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons continue to sell them, ... 2 weeks ago
Affordable homes in Worth Matravers Views sought on affordable rented homes in Purbeck People in Harman’s Cross and the neighbouring villages of Worth Matravers and Corfe Castle in Dorset are being invited to share their views on the need for affordable rented homes ... 2 weeks ago
Swanage aerial New plan for more homes in Swanage A blueprint for development of Swanage in Dorset has been published to guide future growth of the seaside town, rather than allow building work to happen with no strategic plan 3 weeks ago
Work is still under way on the adjacent site which received planning permission for 19 homes in 2020 Developers exploit loophole to create holiday let on Malthouse site In a surprising move, Dorset Council planners have allowed developers to get round a restriction on second homes on the Malthouse development in Langton Matravers 3 weeks ago
Swanage from The Grand Speed marker buoys to stay further out in Swanage Bay after protest Plans to move speed limit buoys closer to the shore in Swanage and Studland Bays in Dorset, have been dropped following a consultation with the public, although minor adjustments will ... 1 month ago
Steve Etches has appointed world famous paleontologist Dean Lomax as the museum's first ambassador TV dinosaur star is first ambassador of Kimmeridge museum A world renowned dinosaur expert has become the first ambassador of the Etches Museum in Kimmeridge, Dorset - 15 years after founder Steve Etches inspired the start of his career. 1 month ago
Roads to Rail steam rally Norden 2025 New ‘bigger and better’ location for Swanage Railway’s steam rally Due to its growing popularity, Swanage Railway’s three day Roads to Rail steam rally is moving to a larger field close to Norden station near the village of Corfe Castle ... 4 weeks ago
Mark One carriage 4961 at Swanage Railway Bid to make Swanage Railway carriages wheelchair friendly Swanage Railway in Dorset has launched a £25,000 public appeal to help fund the overhaul and conversion of two former 1950s and 1960s British Railways Mark One carriages to enable ... 1 month ago
Swanage Railway Diesel gala and beer festival 2026 New Class 99 loco whips up excitement at Swanage Railway gala Usually showcasing the locos of yesteryear, Swanage Railway in Dorset, turned the tables by featuring the UK’s most advanced hybrid freight locomotive at its Diesel Gala and Beer Festival - ... 2 months ago
Heritage diesel locomotive Diesel and beer back on Swanage Railway timetable for gala weekend Seven heritage diesel locomotives are to travel down to Swanage Railway in Dorset, to join the home fleet for the annual Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, plus there’s a guest ... 3 months ago
Swanage station Author of books featuring Thomas The Tank Engine to visit Swanage Railway Christopher Awdry, who has continued his father's legacy by writing more stories for the world famous railway series featuring Thomas the Tank Engine, will be signing his books during the ... 3 months ago
Staff Sergeant Anthony Cherrett, right, and Craig Joynes of Operation Mother at TankFest 2026
New clues give fresh hope in hunt for Mother tank at Bovington A hunt for the world's first tank has gathered fresh momentum after a series of new clues have pointed investigators towards what may be her final resting place beneath heathland ... 5 hours ago
Swanage Carnival's 2026 programme is on sale now, all over town! Swanage Carnival launches its wacky Wild West programme Summer’s most anticipated publication, the official Swanage Carnival programme, has arrived hot off the press in shops and businesses across Purbeck. 4 days ago
John Etheridge and Christian Garrick, one of the most potent duos in European jazz, were in the main marquee on the final day Rescued Swanage Jazz Festival hits all the right notes A jazz festival which feared it might never return was hailed a resounding success after music lovers flocked to Swanage for a weekend of world class performances. 5 days ago
Perfect weather brought record crowds to the Swanage Fish and Food Festival Perfect weather hooks record crowd for Swanage festival Swanage Fish and Food Festival reeled in record crowds after a weekend of glorious sunshine helped make its latest event the biggest and best in its 11 year history. 1 month ago
90th anniversary of Swanage Information Centre Swanage Information Centre celebrates 90th anniversary Opened on 10th June 1936, the Swanage Information Centre in Dorset, is believed to be the longest serving visitor information centre in the UK still operating from its original premises, ... 1 month ago
The National Trust and Blyton Books are running adventure trails at Knoll Beach and Corfe Castle Famous Five return for new larks in Corfe Castle and Studland Enid Blyton’s Famous Five have returned to Purbeck for the first time in more than 60 years, through adventure trails launched at Studland Bay and Corfe Castle. 2 months ago
Captain Jack Sparrow played a starring role at Swanage Pirate Festival Jack Sparrow drops in at Swanage Pirate Festival’s 10th birthday bash Swanage Pirate Festival has celebrated its 10th anniversary in perfect Caribbean weather - and even welcomed a special guest star in Captain Jack Sparrow. 2 months ago
Main beach on Seafront What’s on: Swanage summer 2026 It’s been a sizzling start to the summer in Swanage, Dorset, with three heatwaves so far, encouraging many to head to the beach and a dip in the sea, but ... 1 day ago
The Corfe Castle Food and Drink Festival is back for a third year, and is expecting perfect weather and record crowds Corfe Castle to serve up its biggest food and drink festival Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Corfe Castle in Dorset, as the popular food and drink festival returns for its biggest event yet, bringing together almost 30 producers ... 1 week ago
Nat Cranton and father Julian on their Steeple farm with the 100th sheep Nat sheared in a single day No holds baa-ed as Steeple sheep farmer becomes WWE star A Purbeck sheep farmer who spent years supporting his son’s unlikely dream of becoming a World Wrestling Entertainment superstar says he couldn't be prouder to see him wrestling in front ... 2 weeks ago
The church of St Michael and All Angels at Steeple, home of George Washington’s ancestors Purbeck church celebrates US heritage which inspired Stars and Stripes A tiny Purbeck church in Dorset, hopes to receive American visitors on Saturday 4th July 2026 to help celebrate its remarkable links to George Washington and the birth of the ... 3 weeks ago
The Blue Pool outdoor Purbeck film festival film showing in 2025 Top films to be shown outdoors in stunning Purbeck locations Some of Purbeck’s most magical places are to be transformed into open-air cinemas, as part of Purbeck Film Festival’s 30th anniversary celebrations 3 weeks ago
Unveiling of Bill Trite wing at Focus Centre
Focus Centre honours Swanage councillor with building dedication Part of a community wellbeing hub in Swanage, Dorset, has been dedicated to the memory of former local councillor Bill Trite, with the event providing the first opportunity to visit ... 2 months ago
Friends and colleagues from Swanage Therapy Centre have been busy training for their 25 kilometre walk Swanage therapists take on hilly 25km hike to fund new defib Seven friends and colleagues from Swanage Therapy Centre in Dorset, are to tackle a very hilly 25 kilometre walk to raise £2,000 for a defibrillator for their community 3 months ago
Focus Centre April 2026 Plea to help get Allsort’d cafe in Swanage all sorted! A new cafe at The Focus Centre in Swanage, Dorset, run by the youth group Allsort’d, is all set to open at the end of May 2026 but funds are ... 3 months ago
Dementia Friendly Purbeck meeting 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 6 months ago
The Friendly Food Club aims to inspire residents to cook with confidence 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 6 months ago
Focus centre and family hub 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 ... 7 months ago
The Friendly Food Club is running fun, friendly and free cooking classes in Swanage until Easter 2026 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 8 months ago
Head teacher Alan Frame outside St Mary's RC Scool in Northbrook Road, Swanage, where it has been for 12 years of its nine decade history St Mary’s school celebrates 90 years of history in Swanage A Swanage primary school with generations of family connections is marking its 90th anniversary by inviting everyone back to help celebrate its remarkable history. 2 weeks ago
Save our village save our St George's school campaign Threat of closure lifted from Langton Matravers village school Following a hard fought campaign from parents, carers and the wider community, the consultation recommending the closure of the St George’s CE primary school site in Langton Matravers in Dorset, ... 3 weeks ago
Langton save our school campaign Consultation to close Langton’s school site is ‘biased’ say parents Parents of St George’s CE primary school in Langton Matravers in Dorset have appealed to Dorset Council to scrutinise a multi academy trust’s consultation into the proposed merger of their ... 4 weeks ago
Langton parish council meeting about the school Langton Matravers rallies to stop loss of village school At a meeting of the Langton Matravers parish council in Dorset, residents expressed their devastation at the possibility of the closure of the village school site, although the school’s academy ... 1 month ago
Planting trees Dorset charity gives thousands of pounds to Purbeck projects Good causes in Purbeck including The Swanage School and The Mowlem, have received a boost to their funds after a Dorset grant-making charity distributed thousands of pounds aimed at strengthening ... 1 month ago
Etches Museum founder Steve Etches says the chance to excavate for a complete Sea Rex pliosaur skeleton is within grasp
Countdown to Sea Rex rescue as Kimmeridge dig is set for 2027 A public appeal to fund the excavation of the most fearsome marine monster of all time from a cliff face in Kimmeridge has smashed through the half million pound barrier. 3 days ago
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Club held its annual meeting to say thank you to the community at Swanage School Rotary gives away £35,000 and honours Swanage’s unsung heroes Swanage and Purbeck Rotary has celebrated another year of fundraising and community service by giving generously to good causes, recognising local unsung heroes and welcoming a new president 2 weeks ago
Swanage Con Club has rebranded at the Swanbrook Bar and Restaurant Swanage Con Club rebrands to welcome all to historic venue A bar and restaurant in Swanage, Dorset, with more than a century of history has unveiled its new identity in a bid to secure its future and encourage more people ... 3 weeks ago
Kiln and Grain joins a host of other creative businesses in Commercial Road, Swanage Pottery, interiors and design shape new Swanage shop A centre for creativity has opened its doors in Swanage, Dorset, bringing a home interiors store, pottery studio and bespoke kitchen showroom together under one roof 4 weeks ago
Wareham Shedders have recorded a song, Here For You, to raise awareness of what they do Wareham Shedders launch song to raise roof for new home A bid to raise £200,000 has been launched by Wareham Men’s Shed as the charity, which fought off an eviction attempt two years ago, looks to secure its long term ... 1 month ago
The existing frontage of Knoll House Hotel New multi million pound plans for Studland’s Knoll House A new planning application is to be submitted to redevelop Knoll House hotel in Studland, Dorset, with ambitions to transform it into a world-class luxury destination comparable to some of ... 1 month ago
Third generation butcher David Curtis has opened a new destination farm shop at Holme for Gardens Wareham butcher branches out at garden centre After 75 years in business, a butcher shop in Wareham, Dorset, has expanded for the first time - creating a slice of history in the process 1 month ago
Hannah Jamieson and barmaid Izzie look forward to the England match at The Globe Inn Flags and football fever as Swanage backs England Swanage in Dorset is gearing up for England's World Cup quarter final match against Norway, with pubs preparing to pull in the crowds 1 week ago
women's supervets had the honour of being the first crew to race in Swanage's brand new gig New gig for Swanage Sea Rowing as Old Harry is christened Swanage Sea Rowing Club celebrated a highly successful weekend of gig rowing, combining championship racing with the official blessing and christening of its newest pilot gig 4 weeks ago
Swanage Town and Herston FC treasurer Lizzie Hibberd launched a £360,000 fundraising appeal for a new 3G pitch Push to get funding over the line for Purbeck’s first 3G sports pitch The local community has been urged to rally behind a major fundraising campaign to help secure a £1.2 million all weather sports pitch at Swanage Town and Herston Football Club ... 2 months ago
Purbeck families are invited to a free skate jam at Swanage Skatepark on Saturday 30th May 2026 Half term skate jam to mark major milestone for Swanage Skatepark Purbeck families are invited to celebrate a major milestone in the redevelopment of Swanage Skatepark with a free skate jam event. 2 months ago
A state of the art golf simulator is about to be opened at the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club Isle of Purbeck golfers to get a shot at Masters glory A state of the art indoor golf simulator is set to open at the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club near Swanage in Dorset, offering players the chance to practise and ... 3 months ago

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