Super Saturday as sun shines for Swanage Christmas market and events

Swanage buzzed with activity as the Rotary Christmas Market took over Station Road, people browsed the hand-crafted items on sale at the beach huts and race runners crossed the finishing line on the beach.

With strong winds forecast for Saturday 4th December 2021, there had been concerns that it might affect events but in the end the weather was fine with blue sky and sunshine, if a little cold.

Advertisement 
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021

Christmas market went ahead as planned

Organised by Swanage and Purbeck Rotary, the Christmas market in Station Road went ahead as planned, unlike last year when Covid restrictions meant that it was cancelled.

From Christmas trees to tombolas, knitted teddies to iced buns and bungee jumping to Christmas songs, the main road through the town centre offered a mix of things to buy and do.

Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Pamela Smith

“The market gets more popular each year

Swanage and Purbeck Rotary, which fundraises and supports lots of community projects and events throughout the year, said:

“The market gets more popular each year with a wide range of stalls, music and attractions with the focus on Christmas, including a visit from Santa.

“Not only is it well worth a visit but also raises a lot of money for good local causes!”

Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Pamela Smith

Artisans on the Beach

Meanwhile at the beach huts on Shore Road, Artisans on the Beach, which offers local, handcrafted items for sale, was busy with people looking for unique gifts.

The beach hut artisan event takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout December.

Arisans on the Beach 2021
Artisan beach hut stall

“Much better than a draughty gazebo!”

One of the artisans, Claire Armstrong from Bournemouth said:

“Swanage is lovely and traditional and the Artisans on the Beach is a brilliant eclectic mix of tradespeople and artists. It’s a great place for me to sell my Through the Looking Glass items and it’s very friendly.

“I tell you, a cosy beach hut at Christmas is so much better than a draughty gazebo!”

Arisans on the Beach 2021

Endurance Life finishing line

Opposite the beach huts was the finishing line for the Endurance Life race, with runners completing 10K, half marathon, marathon, ultra and ultra plus courses on Swanage Beach.

This is the first time that this race has taken place along the South West Coast Path in Dorset but not expected to be the last after the success of this year.

Endurance Life race Swanage beach 2021
Endurance Life race Swanage beach 2021

“Swanage is as open in the winter as it is in the summer!”

Swanage visitor services manager Culvin Milmer said:

“What a beautiful day – there’s runners finishing on the beach, artisans here at the beach huts and an amazing Christmas market up at Station Road.

“Just look at the number of people milling along the seafront enjoying themselves. We’ve got 40 stalls at the market, 42 beach huts selling items and 800 runners in town.

“It really goes to show that Swanage is as open in the winter as it is in the summer!”

Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Pamela Smith
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

Actor Robson Green wraps Jurassic Coast filming for TV walk show Granchester star Robson Green has just finished three weeks filming along the Jurassic Coast from Studland to Lyme Regis in Dorset for a new eight part TV series which is ... 1 month ago Kindness of Purbeck keeps Tiff in the house her Jack built 1 month ago New plans for Swanage seafront and Shore Road unveiled 3 weeks ago Reopened pub at Norden aims to pull in custom all year round 3 weeks ago Man in his 50s dies after climbing incident at Anvil Point 3 days ago

Most recent

Bonfield back for fifth term as Swanage mayor Councillor Tina Foster has stood down as Swanage town mayor and passed the chain of office over to councillor Mike Bonfield, who was elected for a fifth term as mayor 14 hours ago Perfect day for Swanage Railway’s 140th anniversary 2 days ago Man in his 50s dies after climbing incident at Anvil Point 3 days ago Offspring thank Swanage wartime hero for saving parents’ lives 4 days ago Tributes paid to Swanage former mayor after unexpected death 5 days ago