Tourism and events
The latest tourism and events news, including the Information Centre and all the music, art, film, sport and food festivals in Swanage and Purbeck.
Swanage Pier’s finances take a battering from Covid storm Rescued from physical collapse in 2019, Swanage Pier is now in need of financial support to keep its head above water during the pandemic. 
Tank back on track after repair appeal hits fundraising target Thanks to the generous donations, one of the Tank Museum’s most iconic vehicles will be able to get back into action again. 
Monkey World closes due to “unacceptable abuse” by tier four visitors The ape rescue centre in Wool, Dorset has decided to temporarily shut, to stop people from tier four Covid restrictions trying to visit. 
Rotary brings Christmas cheer to Swanage and raises over £9,000 Swanage and Purbeck Rotary’s festive activities had to be scaled back due to Covid but it still managed to help those alone at Christmas and raise money for charity. 
Hunt for Christmas presents, elves and bunnies on magical festive trails Families heading out for a socially distanced stroll over the holiday season in Purbeck will find many events have been cancelled due to Covid but outdoor festive children's trails are ... 
Churchill needs your help – Tank Museum’s plea to restore iconic tank The Tank Museum at Bovington in Dorset is asking for help to fix a historic tank after it suffered a major mechanism failure. 
No lack of festive fizz in Swanage despite pandemic Christmas bubbles may have gone flat but Swanage has still managed to sparkle through the festive season and Santa has raised thousands of pounds for local charities. 
Runaway success means new trips added for Swanage Railway’s ‘Steam and Lights’ Due to “unprecedented” demand, Swanage Railway is adding an extra date by opening up bookings for New Year’s Eve. 
Swanage creates its own blockbuster to boost business! Watch the new film all about Swanage that explores the backstreets and the independent shops that the tourists miss if they aren’t in the know. 
Bliss Food Co in Swanage wins Successful Women in Business award Swanage restaurateurs, Lou Condie and Sally Poole have won the Independent Food and Drink category at the Successful Women in Business Awards. 
Swanage Railway volunteers take first trip on Steam and Lights train after tough year Those who kept the railway going through the Covid crisis have been rewarded for their efforts with a preview trip - WATCH TRAIN DEPARTURE. 
Take a sneaky peek of Swanage Railway’s new Steam and Lights train The first test runs are taking place of Swanage Railway’s breath-taking Steam and Lights train - WATCH THE VIDEO. 
100 year old armoured Rolls Royce celebrates birthday with new Tank Museum film Bovington’s Tank Museum has commemorated the 100th anniversary of its oldest running vehicle by releasing a film to watch while the museum is closed under lockdown. 
Festive food fair ‘pops up’ at Tank Museum to end a challenging year The Tank Museum is set to host Christmas festivities in a cheerful end to a year marred by Covid-19. 
Santa set to bring festive cheer to Swanage for a Covid safe Christmas Despite the pandemic, Father Christmas still plans to bring merriment and joy to Swanage with the help of Swanage and Purbeck Rotary. 
Family cat inspires traditional pub to launch new venture amid pandemic A historic pub near Swanage has diversified during the Covid-19 crisis and launched a delicatessens inside the 350 year old hostelry. 
Government shells out £780,000 funding boost to keep Tank Museum on track through pandemic The Tank Museum at Bovington has been thrown a major lifeline, receiving a total of £780,000 as part of the UK Government's Culture Recovery Fund. 
Swanage Railway gets over £200k in government COVID-19 recovery grant The heritage railway based in Swanage is to get a substantial cash payment to cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. 
Swanage Railway lights up Christmas! In a first for Swanage Railway, bookings have now opened for a ‘Steam and Lights’ festive train trip, which replaces the 'Santa Specials' that have been cancelled due to COVID-19 ... 
Historic boat plans to make return to Swanage A historic ferry is set to make its first trip to and from Swanage in years - and it could soon be offering trips to Brownsea Island too. 
Durlston’s gold national tourism award goes on display Following their impressive success, the team at Durlston Country Park finally get their hands on their gold Visit England trophy. 
“Inspirational” Durlston wins gold in national tourism awards In an extraordinary achievement, Durlston Country Park in Swanage has won the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award in the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2020. 
TV’s ‘Hunted’ celeb, Jordan Wylie turns up in Swanage! As part of a world record breaking attempt to circumnavigate Great Britain on a paddleboard, adventurer Jordan Wylie has stopped off in Swanage. 
‘That’s the way to do it’ – Punch and Judy returns to Swanage! Refusing to be beaten by a global pandemic, Professor Joe Burns is as pleased as Punch to be back with a socially distanced show 
Eat out to help out in Swanage and Corfe Castle From today, the government is offering to pay half the bill at participating food establishments - SEE LIST. 
Durlston named as finalist in national tourism awards Visit England has announced that Durlston Country Park has made it through as a finalist to its national awards for excellence. 
“Absolutely gutted” says Swanage Carnival team Swanage Carnival should have been in full swing this week but despite the cancellation due to coronavirus, the committee are still hoping to raise a smile. 
Durlston Castle set to fully reopen next week The rangers at Durlston Country Park are preparing for the full reopening of Durlston Castle with the first art exhibition since lockdown. 
Mini golf provides ‘green’ alternative to Swanage Beach Beach Gardens in Swanage is being promoted as an alternative safe space to the beach, as the putting green finally reopens. 
First train leaves Swanage Railway Station after lockdown After 15 long weeks of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Swanage Railway has finally reopened - SEE TRAIN VIDEO. 
More ‘Soggy Swanage’ than ‘Super Saturday’! The day dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ due to the reopening of the tourist trade, was quieter than expected as wet weather kept visitors away - SEE PHOTOS. Swanage opens for visitors as tourism restarts After months of no income, the town is cautiously starting to reopen its attractions, hotels, B and Bs and campsites, alongside pubs, cafes and restaurants. 
Surge in visitors anticipated by Dorset Police, as tourism restarts Chief Constable for Dorset Police is asking everyone to be respectful and act responsibly as tourism reopens this weekend. 
Swanage Railway is back on track! The heritage railway, that’s been facing a funding crisis due to the pandemic, is to reopen soon but it won’t be back to normal yet. 
Swanage Market is back in business! Much missed during lockdown, Swanage Market is now fully operational, increasing its number of stalls and offering more than just fruit and veg. 
Durdle Door by appointment only A car park pre-booking system is introduced from today by the Lulworth Estate to prevent overcrowding and antisocial behaviour at Durdle Door. 
Swanage’s Albert Memorial to be re-erected Hopes have risen that an impressive obelisk that was erected in Swanage to commemorate the life of Prince Albert, will be restored to its full glory. 
Respect our communities pleads Dorset Ahead of a meeting to prevent a repeat of last weekend's scenes at Durdle Door, visitors are being asked to head home if it's too busy. 
Swanage Pier vandalised by pier jumping trespassers Decking from the recently restored Victorian Swanage Pier has been removed and thrown into the sea by vandals 
Seaside towns like Swanage still waiting for new lockdown guidance A Dorset Council councillor has expressed her concern for seaside areas following the Prime Minister's speech about the easing of lockdown restrictions. 
VE75 – Keep calm and stay at home! With the planned 75th anniversary of VE Day celebrations cancelled due to coronavirus, we’re being told to stay at home, but fortunately there’s plenty on the telly - SEE WHAT’S ... 
Further blow to Swanage, as Carnival is cancelled With a "heavy heart" organisers say Swanage’s biggest annual event, that brings in over a million pounds into the town, won't go ahead. 
Swanage still set to celebrate 75th anniversary of VE Day Despite the coronavirus crisis, there are still plans for Swanage to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe. 
2020 season announcement by Swanage Rep Theatre Company The Swanage Rep Theatre Company says that regretfully, this year's performances are to be postponed. 
Latest Durlston art exhibition opens to visitors, but not as planned … ‘A Dorset Wanderland’ hasn’t been cancelled but instead it’s been moved online, to be viewed from an appropriate social distance! 
Easter Sunday goes virtual – please ‘share’ the message! Churches in Swanage are closed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, so they’re now going online. 
‘Stay at home’ message getting through say Purbeck Police Most tourists who were planning to visit Swanage for Easter, have stayed at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 
Tourists asked to stay away from Swanage Swanage Town Council has asked tourists and second homeowners to not visit the town, to protect residents from coronavirus. 
National Trust to close Corfe Castle Corfe Castle, the scene of many battles, is to close “until further notice” as a result of the UK Government’s coronavirus advice. 
Swanage Railway postpones gala in latest blow to local economy The Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, due to take place in April, has been postponed following coronavirus advice. 
Blues Festival kicks off at the Legion The Swanage Blues Festival got off to a rip-roaring start on Thursday with a brilliant evening of entertainment. 
Royal Highland Fusilier and Great Gable locos to visit Swanage Railway The first details have just been revealed about Swanage Railway’s Annual Diesel Gala and Dorset Beer Festival. 
Big Blues party swings into town The 33rd Swanage Blues Festival gets underway this Thursday, with music fans filling the pubs and venues across the town. 
Swanage Information Centre scoops gold in South West Tourism Awards The Information Centre in Swanage is named Visitor Information Service of the Year for South West England beating stiff competition. 
Jazz festival headline acts revealed with bigger vision for 2020 The Swanage Jazz Festival is going to be a three day affair in 2020, boosted by the success of last year’s event. 
Locals up for 2020 tourism excellence awards Swanage Information Centre and Durlston Country Park are finalists in the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards. Swanage Carnival 2019 gives more than £28,000 to charity A record number of visitors to the 2019 Swanage Carnival meant £28,000 has been donated to 26 good causes.