The charming seaside town of Swanage has lots of attractions and activities for families with young children. Whether you're looking for fun on the beach, outdoor adventures or animal attractions, there’s plenty of choice, and some of them are even free!
Swanage Beach
One of the main attractions in Swanage is its beautiful sandy beach. Families can spend hours at Swanage Beach building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, and enjoying traditional seaside treats like fish and chips and ice cream. During the summer, there’s even a Punch and Judy show to watch!
The beach has a designated swimming zone and RNLI lifeguards during the summer months, making it a safe place for children to play. If you haven’t brought beach toys with you, you can borrow some from the Beach Toy Library outside the Swanage Information Centre opposite the beach.
Nearby amenities include car parks, cafés and ice-cream kiosks, as well as free public toilets with baby changing and accessible facilities, showers, and drinking water taps, providing everything you need for a great day out at the beach.
Swanage Railway
For a unique experience, take a ride on the Swanage Railway. This heritage steam railway offers a scenic journey through the picturesque countryside, providing a fun experience for children and a slice of nostalgia for the adults. The railway often hosts special events and themed rides, making it a memorable outing for the whole family.
If you’re jumping off the train at Corfe Castle, a must see is Corfe Castle Model Village, and you can save money by buying a joint ticket for the railway and model village. Children under 5 years old ride for free on the railway and children under 3 get free entry into the model village.
Durlston Country Park
Durlston Country Park is a fantastic place to visit for families who love nature and outdoor activities. The park features walking trails, stunning coastal views, and a variety of wildlife. Children can explore the interactive exhibits at the visitor centre, learn about birds, butterflies, flowers, and even participate in family-friendly events and activities throughout the year.
Don’t forget to visit the Castle during your visit, where there’s a café, or there’s plenty of picnic benches if you’ve brought your own lunch with you.
It’s free entry to the country park and castle, however parking charges do apply.
Swanage Pier
Swanage Pier is another must-visit spot. Families can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the pier, take in the beautiful views of the bay, and perhaps even spot some marine life. The pier also offers boat trips with Coastal Cruises for a day trip to Poole Quay passing Old Harry Rocks along the way. A short walk away at Stone Quay, you can take a boat trip along the coast with Marsh's Boats to see the Jurassic Coast.
Swanage Pier is one of Swanage’s best value attractions at just £2.20 per adult and free entry for children under 14 years of age.
The Salt Pig Farm Putlake
The Salt Pig Farm is located on the outskirts of Swanage and is perfect for younger children who love animals. The farm offers hands-on experiences with lots of animals, including bottle feeding lambs and goats, petting guinea pigs, and meeting ponies.
The farm also has a large indoor soft play centre, pedal go-karts, trampolines and climbing frames, so there's lots of activities for the children to burn off some energy.
There's a cafe and farm shop at Putlake too, and in the summer you can even camp overnight!
Children's Playgrounds
© Lyons Photography
Swanage boasts several children's playgrounds and parks. Days Park near North Beach has a small play area for young children, while Beach Gardens offers a putting green.
King George’s Field features a skate park and an adventure play park, perfect for children who enjoy skateboarding, roller skating, or BMX riding.
The playground on the Recreation Ground, with views of the sea, is also near the Santa-Fe fun park with its two adventure golf courses.
Family-Friendly Events
© Claire Richards
Swanage hosts a variety of family-friendly events throughout the year. Swanage Carnival and Purbeck Valley Folk Festival are particularly popular, offering entertainment and activities for children of all ages.
Many attractions, including Durlston Country Park, Swanage Pier and Swanage Library, host low-cost family fun events, especially during school holidays.
The Mowlem Cinema
© Core Publishing Ltd
For a more relaxed outing, families can visit The Mowlem cinema to watch a family-friendly movie. The cinema offers a selection of films suitable for children (especially during the school holidays), making it a great option for a rainy day.
Crazy Golf
Crazy golf is always a hit with children, and Swanage offers several options. The Santa-Fe fun park has 2 adventure golf courses and there's a putting green at Beach Gardens, providing a fun and competitive activity for the whole family.
Or for something a little different, you can have a go at Footgolf at Kirkwood Park, which is next to the children's play area at King George's Field.
Crabbing
A favourite free activity is to go crabbing off the Stone Quay near the pier. Families love sitting with their feet dangling above the water hoping to catch a crab or two with their nets and lines.
If you haven’t brought your own crabbing nets and buckets you can buy them from a number of shops in the town centre, including Swanage Angling Centre on the High Street.
Find somewhere to stay
If you’re planning a family holiday to Swanage, you’ll be pleased to hear that many of the hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks and self catering cottages welcome children.
Take a look at our list of family friendly places to stay, offering facilities such as family rooms, children's menus and even swimming pools.
