Antiques valuation to raise funds for Swanage Literary Festival As the Swanage Literary Festival continues to expand in its third year, the cost of staging the event is increasing, so an antiques valuation evening has been organised to raise ...
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 
Nature emergency film screened to packed Swanage venue The implications of climate and nature breakdown were starkly detailed in a film shown to an audience in Swanage, Dorset, including MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton and the leader ... 
Mowlem goes Big ahead of busy summer schedule Swanage’s arts hub, The Mowlem, threw wide its doors for a Big Weekend of performances, workshops, and backstage tours, showcasing to the local community what it does 
New air ambulance flies into Swanage on one of its first callouts In its first week of operation, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance's new £10 million helicopter was called out to Swanage in Dorset, after a local resident needed urgent emergency ... 
Langton Matravers school set to close in merger with St Mark’s An academy trust is proposing to merge two Purbeck primary schools because of declining pupil numbers, with its preferred option to close St George’s in Langton Matravers and move the ... 
New air ambulance flies into Swanage on one of its first callouts In its first week of operation, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance's new £10 million helicopter was called out to Swanage in Dorset, after a local resident needed urgent emergency ... 
Chester the dog rescued from Swanage cliff in lightning storm The second dog within a week had to be saved after falling over a 120 foot cliff on the Swanage Downs in Dorset, in a five and a half hour ... 
Swanage emergency crews in action after boat bursts into flames A man had to be rescued from Swanage Bay after falling from his boat shortly before it crashed onto rocks and burst into flames in Durlston Bay. 
Two women rescued from cliff near St Alban’s Head A coastguard search and rescue helicopter was called in to help rescuers locate two women who had become dangerously stuck on a cliff near St Alban’s Head in Dorset 
Get hosed down by Swanage firefighters at charity car wash Swanage Fire Station in Dorset is to attempt to wash as many cars as possible in just one day, all in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity 
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
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 ... 
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 ... 
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 ... 
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 ... 
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 
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 ... 
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 ... 
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 
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 ... 
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
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 ... 
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 ... 
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 
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 
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 
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 ... 
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 
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 ... 
Nature emergency film screened to packed Swanage venue The implications of climate and nature breakdown were starkly detailed in a film shown to an audience in Swanage, Dorset, including MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton and the leader ...
Hospital for Purbeck hedgehogs helps almost 1,000 in first year A specialist hedgehog hospital near Wareham is celebrating a remarkable first year after rescuing and rehabilitating almost 1,000 sick, injured and orphaned animals. 
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 
Free Purbeck screenings of People’s Emergency Briefing film A pretty punchy film setting out the risks facing the UK due to a growing climate and nature emergency is to be shown in Swanage, Wareham, Worth Matravers and at ... 
Norden florist and Jurassic Coast funghi debut at RHS Chelsea A dried flower florist from Norden in Dorset is heading to the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time, as well as funghi growers Jurassic Coast Mushrooms. 
Purbeck dog walkers urged to join growing fire watch scheme A scheme which uses dog walkers as the eyes and ears of Dorset’s heathland is being expanded into Purbeck as the area goes on an amber fire warning ahead of ... 
Swanage hoists the Blue Flag for 25th consecutive year Confirmed as one of England’s top beaches, Swanage in Dorset has been awarded the international Blue Flag award by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, for the 25th year in ... 
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 - ... 
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 ... 
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 ... 
21st Century steam loco to appear at Swanage Spring Gala The UK’s newest steam locomotive is to visit Swanage Railway for the first time as part of the Spring Steam Gala - and she’ll likely be younger than almost all ... 
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 ... 
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.
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. 
Swanage’s classic car show celebrates 30th anniversary The paintwork gleamed and the chrome sparkled as more than a hundred classic cars converged in Swanage, Dorset, for a bumper day out 
Swanage Museum opens for summer as guided walks kick off Glorious sunshine over the Easter holidays in Swanage, Dorset, trumpeted the start of the new summer season with visitors flocking to Swanage Museum and joining a guided walk detailing the ... 
Guided walks to honour Lawrence of Arabia to be held at Bovington A chance to follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia is being offered this spring by the National Trust in Purbeck. 
Rescued Swanage Jazz Festival attracts top quality acts for 2026 Swanage’s much loved Jazz Festival has unveiled its programme for summer 2026 after supporters helped rescue the event from the brink of disaster. 
What’s on in Swanage: Festivals lineup 2026 Planning is well underway for festivals and major events in and around Swanage in Dorset for 2026, with food, music, heritage, and community celebrations expected to attract thousands of visitors ... 
Antiques valuation to raise funds for Swanage Literary Festival As the Swanage Literary Festival continues to expand in its third year, the cost of staging the event is increasing, so an antiques valuation evening has been organised to raise ... Mowlem goes Big ahead of busy summer schedule Swanage’s arts hub, The Mowlem, threw wide its doors for a Big Weekend of performances, workshops, and backstage tours, showcasing to the local community what it does 
Artists poised for Purbeck Art Weeks 2026 A two week festival of visual arts, music, workshops and exhibitions is to kick off, showcasing artistic talent across Purbeck in Dorset 
Flower power duo to demonstrate floral design in Swanage RHS Gold medal winning flower arrangers Coral Gardiner and Lucy Ellis are to appear on stage at The Mowlem in Swanage, Dorset, at the invitation of the Purbeck Flower Club 
New season of musical concerts from Swanage to Wareham A number of musical treats are being lined up across Purbeck in Dorset for spring and summer 2026, from Swanage Bandstand’s biggest programme of concerts in recent times, to classical ... 
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 ...
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 
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 ... 
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 Langton Matravers school set to close in merger with St Mark’s An academy trust is proposing to merge two Purbeck primary schools because of declining pupil numbers, with its preferred option to close St George’s in Langton Matravers and move the ... 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 ... 
Historical finds start to unravel mystery of Purbeck’s lost village An archaeological dig near Corfe Castle in Dorset has started to uncover secrets of the medieval village of Afflington, which disappeared centuries ago, and the finds are to go on ... 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 
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 ... 
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
End of an era looms as Swanage’s Playland arcade is put up for sale A part of Swanage’s seaside heritage could be about to disappear, as the Playland amusement site on the seafront near the Stone Quay has been put up for sale. 
Swanage couple launch new skincare range inspired by seaweed A Purbeck wellness business is launching its first range of seaweed based skincare products after 18 months of development, inspired by the coastline around Studland. 
Purbeck Cider launches new drink to help keep air ambulance flying A new cider made entirely from donated fruit gathered from Purbeck gardens is helping to fund lifesaving emergency care in Dorset. 
Inflation station arrives at Studland to get paddle boarders afloat Knoll Beach in Studland is the first beach in Dorset and the first National Trust property anywhere in the UK to install an automatic paddle board pump offering visitors a ... 
Boost for shops as Heart of Swanage gets resurfaced A much loved but often overlooked part of Swanage’s town centre in Dorset, has been improved after Commercial Road was completely resurfaced - for the first time in an estimated ... 
Swanage ice cream artisans win top award in centenary year A family run ice cream business in Swanage, Dorset, has just scooped up a national award for its chocolate gelato, as it prepares to celebrate 100 years in business 
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 ... 
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. 
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 ... 
Major investment at Swanage’s Beach Gardens as courts get refurb Two more tennis courts at Swanage Tennis Club in Dorset, have been resurfaced with astro turf after the club raised £39,000 which includes a £15,000 contribution from Swanage Town Council 
Welcome return for Purbeck Marathon after five year absence The Purbeck Marathon is set to make a long awaited return to Dorset in 2026, five years after it last took place, bringing runners back to one of the UK’s ... Most read
Swanage News – Independent local breaking news
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