Love in the seagrass: New website details life of Studland seahorses Divers monitoring rare seahorses in Studland Bay in Dorset have witnessed more than they bargained for this summer, observing elaborate courtship dances between couples, the passionate intertwining of tails, and ...
‘Good vibes’ at Rotary summer fete in Swanage The sun shone for the Swanage and Purbeck Rotary summer fete, which took place on Sandpit Field against the dazzling backdrop of Swanage Bay in Dorset 
BBC Springwatch presenter opens new trail at RSPB Arne A spectacular new walking route giving visitors access to one of the most secluded parts of RSPB Arne near Wareham has officially opened, offering stunning views and a chance to ... 
Wild West shop window winner receives Swanage Carnival trophy The general store H B Hibbs in Swanage has been voted the best dressed Wild West themed shop window during Swanage Carnival week 
Mobile mechanic jailed after scamming people across Dorset A man who defrauded more than 20 customers by an estimated £22,000 over three years, has been imprisoned following a case brought by Dorset Council Trading Standards 
Swanage Carnival finale with fancy dress wheelbarrow mayhem! A spectacular combination of Swanage Carnival entertainment and great weather, attracted large crowds to the seaside town in Dorset, providing a welcome boost to the local economy 
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. 
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. 
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 ... 
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 
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 ... 
Planning applications submitted for Swanage seafront scheme Residents and the wider community can now formally comment on the plans to redevelop a subsiding section of the seafront in Swanage, Dorset, after the submission of two planning applications ...
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 
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 
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 ... 
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 ... 
Megan chops off waist-length hair at Swanage event for cancer charity A Swanage woman has raised more than £900 for charity after making the bold decision to shave off most of her long hair in support of children living with cancer 
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 
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 ... 
Mobile mechanic jailed after scamming people across Dorset A man who defrauded more than 20 customers by an estimated £22,000 over three years, has been imprisoned following a case brought by Dorset Council Trading Standards
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 
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 
New 30 mph speed limit for Swanage’s Washpond Lane The speed limit is to be lowered along a road close to two schools in Swanage, Dorset, after many years of campaigning 
Wildlife shuttle bus to RSPB Arne returns for summer A community shuttle bus to help people explore one of Purbeck's most important wildlife sites without using a car is back for its fifth consecutive summer season 
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 - ... 
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 ... 
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 Love in the seagrass: New website details life of Studland seahorses Divers monitoring rare seahorses in Studland Bay in Dorset have witnessed more than they bargained for this summer, observing elaborate courtship dances between couples, the passionate intertwining of tails, and ...
BBC Springwatch presenter opens new trail at RSPB Arne A spectacular new walking route giving visitors access to one of the most secluded parts of RSPB Arne near Wareham has officially opened, offering stunning views and a chance to ... 
Planning applications submitted for Swanage seafront scheme Residents and the wider community can now formally comment on the plans to redevelop a subsiding section of the seafront in Swanage, Dorset, after the submission of two planning applications ... 
First confirmed sighting of baby puffin for 30 years at Dancing Ledge There’s fresh hope that Purbeck’s dwindling colony of puffins may be saved, after a young puffin - known as a puffling - was spotted at Dancing Ledge near Langton Matravers ... 
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 
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, ... 
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 ... 
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 ... 
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 ... 
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 ... 
‘Good vibes’ at Rotary summer fete in Swanage The sun shone for the Swanage and Purbeck Rotary summer fete, which took place on Sandpit Field against the dazzling backdrop of Swanage Bay in Dorset
Rotary hopes for perfect summer weather for Swanage fete Plans are well underway for the Swanage and Purbeck Rotary’s summer fete, which raised more than £8,000 for charitable causes in 2025 
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 ... 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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, ... Swanage Carnival finale with fancy dress wheelbarrow mayhem! A spectacular combination of Swanage Carnival entertainment and great weather, attracted large crowds to the seaside town in Dorset, providing a welcome boost to the local economy 
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival still ‘perfect’ despite singer cancellation Although the lead singer of the 1980s band Fairground Attraction, famous for singing 'It’s got to be Perfect', has pulled out of the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, the show will ... 
Swanage author’s book talk boosts carnival funds A powerful memoir by Dani Elm who lives in Swanage, Dorset, has raised around £2,000 for charity so far, with half the amount going to bolster Swanage Carnival’s funds 
Swanage Carnival photo competition winners announced The photo marathon at Swanage Carnival 2026 in Dorset attracted dozens of entrants, all snapping away to produce more than 200 amazing photographs across seven categories 
Summer exhibition of art from the heart opens its doors A week long art show is taking place in Swanage, Dorset, offering a diverse exhibition covering all kinds of subjects and mediums but all linked by a passion for painting 
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 
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. 
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, ... 
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 ... 
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 ... 
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 ... 
Wild West shop window winner receives Swanage Carnival trophy The general store H B Hibbs in Swanage has been voted the best dressed Wild West themed shop window during Swanage Carnival week
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. 
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 
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 ... 
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 
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 ... 
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 ... 
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 
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 
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 ... Most read
Swanage News – Independent local breaking news
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