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 town’s interesting history.
Swanage Museum located in the Square just off the High Street, is a treasure trove of historical information, artefacts, and paintings depicting Swanage life from yesteryear and it opened its doors over Easter 2026.
Inside the museum, visitors can find out about the people who lived and worked in Swanage over the years
“More volunteers are always welcome”
There’s now a new team running the museum, which also includes the Swanage Heritage Centre on the Victoria Avenue Industrial, where there’s an archive of historical information collected over many years.
Swanage Museum committee member Paul Sanford said:
“We’re really looking forward to the summer season, welcoming new visitors and residents, and helping to answer as many questions as we can about Swanage and Purbeck’s history.
“While we like to see the museum open as much as possible, it’s only open on selected days as we are reliant on volunteer availability.
“More volunteers are always welcome, whether it’s in the museum with our amazing seaview, or at the heritage centre, behind the scenes, helping with the cataloguing and organisation of the archives. There’s jobs for everyone!”
Paul Sanford in the museum with a model of Swanage’s Prince Albert Memorial, newly restored by the Wareham Men’s Shed
The museum has a large archive of paintings and illustrations of Swanage, some of which are on display
Get a real grounding in Swanage’s history
Joining the museum team is an opportunity to contribute knowledge, as well as learn more about the town. One way to get a real grounding in Swanage’s history is to go on a guided walk.
The Swanage Town Walks take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 pm from outside the Swanage Museum, from Easter to the end of September, subject to the weather.
No advance booking is required with people invited to just turn up on the day. There’s no charge but voluntary contributions are welcome, of which the museum will receive 25 percent.
Stewart Borrett leads the historical tours starting at 2 pm every Tuesday and Thurday from outside the museum
After visiting the pier, the guided walk heads up the High Street to the town hall and Purbeck House
“I’m always learning more and more!”
The historical tour lasts about 90 minutes and is led by Stewart Borrett, who moved to Swanage from Tunbridge Wells in Kent in 1987. In 2005, Stewart moved to Wareham but continues to return regularly to Swanage. He said:
“I’ve been leading this historical walk for 16 years now. It started off as an audio visual presentation which I used to give to tourists in the Rectory Classroom and it just carried on from there.
“Over the years I’ve published a number of books about Swanage’s history by interviewing local people and listening to their personal recollection of events.
“The guided walk includes the Stone Quay, Swanage Pier, Marine Villas, the town hall, Purbeck House, and the Swanage Lock Up. Everyone is welcome – it’s mainly on the flat, although it is not entirely wheelchair friendly.”
“I got to know a lot about Swanage by leading the Swanage Town Walks and I’m always learning more and more!”
The Swanage Lock Up, “Erected for the prevention of vice and immorality” in 1803
Stewart’s books can be purchased from the Swanage Museum, as well as from The Swanage Bookshop at 35 Station Road
Further information
- More about Swanage Museum and how to get involved
- Stewart Borrett’s Swanage Town Walks website
