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.
The popular Swanage Christmas Market organised by Swanage and Purbeck Rotary is happening from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday 6th December 2025.
Vehicles will be allowed to turn into Kings Road East from Kings Road West while Station Road is closed for the Christmas Market
Kings Road East to be two-way for the day
Rows of stalls offering a variety of goodies including festive food, handmade gifts, and Christmas decorations will line Station Road and Institute Road. There will also be a Santa’s grotto for children.
This means the main shopping streets in the town centre will be closed to traffic for the day, however to allow vehicles to get to South Swanage, Kings Road East and a section of the High Street between Institute Road and Kings Road East (by the library), which is usually one-way, will be two-way for the day and a 20 mph limit imposed.
The temporary road closures will be from 7 am to 7 pm on the day of the market to allow enough time to set up and pack away the stalls. The roads closed will be Station Road, Institute Road, Mermond Place and Commercial Road.
In addition, while the market is ongoing, vehicles which need operational access to The Mowlem will be able to use the usually closed section of Shore Road between The Mowlem and Victoria Avenue.
No access or parking for vehicles allowed along Station Road for the day
Rows of stalls will line Station Road and Institute Road on the day of the Christmas Market
“Overnight parking is not permitted overnight”
However one perennial problem is vehicles which are parked overnight and not moved by the time the road closures come into effect at 6 am on the day of the Christmas Market.
Posting on social media, Swanage and Purbeck Rotary said:
“A gentle reminder to all residents and visitors that overnight parking is not permitted overnight on Friday 5th to Saturday 6th December in Station Road, Mermond Place, and by The Mowlem.
“These spaces need to be kept clear to allow for the set-up and smooth running of the Swanage Christmas Market.
“Thank you for helping us keep the event safe, accessible, and magical for everyone! Please share to help spread the word.”
The side streets off Station Road including Commercial Road will be closed for the day
Mermond Place will also have no vehicle access and no parking
Parking £2 a day in long stay car parks
While Swanage is expected to be busy on the Saturday, and anyone who can easily walk into town is advised to do so, there will be parking available in the long term car parks costing £2 a day.
- Main Beach car park, entrance off Victoria Avenue, postcode BH19 1AP
- Broad Road car park, entrance off Seymer Road, postcode BH19 2BB
- North Beach car park, entrance off De Moulham Road, postcode BH19 1NL
There’s also the option of getting a Purbeck Breezer bus into Swanage for £3 a journey, or for those who want to soak up a bit of nostalgia, the Swanage Railway will be running its heritage steam train service.
Visitors can park at Purbeck Park at Norden and catch a steam train to Swanage, with the first departing at 9.35 am. The last train departing Swanage for Norden will be at 5.25 pm.
Further information
- More about the Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Christmas Market
