Swanage Railway

About

Whatever the weather, take a journey back in time with an enjoyable day of excitement and nostalgia at the award winning Swanage Railway.

Sit back and relax during a leisurely trip behind a historic steam locomotives.

The 12 mile Swanage Railway return trip takes you through the beautiful Purbeck countryside and includes stunning views of the iconic remains of William the Conqueror's Corfe Castle.

As you travel down to Swanage from Norden you can appreciate the rich history of the area, its abundant wildlife and fascinating geology as well as the influence the region had on famous authors such as Enid Blyton and Thomas Hardy. When Enid Blyton holidayed in the area, she used the railway and would generally include a train journey in her Famous Five books.

Steam trains run most weekends throughout the year and daily from April to October. Vintage diesel trains are also used on the service. In addition, special galas and themed events are also run, such as steam and diesel galas, Halloween Bistro and Santa Express.

Enjoy lunch or afternoon tea on-board our special carriages. Curry nights and Friday Night Bistro are available too, as well as Christmas Luncheon during December. Booking is necessary for these special events.

There are railway stations at Norden, Corfe Castle, Harmans Cross, Herston Halt and Swanage. You are able to buy tickets at Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage stations with cash or card. If you get on the train at Harmans Cross or Herston Halt you will need cash to buy your ticket on-board.

You can use your return ticket from Norden to Swanage to break your journey and stop at one of the other stations. Perhaps visiting the quaint village of Corfe Castle and then getting back on the train to continue your day out. While at Corfe Station, be sure to stop by at the Railway Museum and take some photos from the very photogenic platform with the Castle in the background. Perfect for sharing on social media.

You can buy a variety of one-way, holiday season (3 and 5 day) and Freedom Of The Line (all day, hop on/off) tickets as well as standard day-return tickets. Save time queueing on the day, and book your tickets in advance.

Opening Times

Open New Year

Opening 2019 (1 January 2019 - 31 December 2019)

* Please check our website for specific opening days and times.

Guide Prices

Ticket Type	Ticket Tariff
Adult Return (Swanage-Norden Corfe Castle)	£15.00 per ticket
Child Return Swanage-Norden Corfe Castle)	£8.00 per ticket
Children under 5	Free
Family Return (2 adults and 3 children or 1 adult and 4 children)	£39.00 per ticket

Ticket prices vary according to journey and time of day - Visit: www.swanagerailway.co.uk. Single trips and other fares also available see website https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/fares
"Freedom of the Line" are return tickets but also allow passengers to use them for multiple trips on the day of issue.

Registered Disabled Passengers and their Carer will be carried at the child rate.

Group discounted rate applies to pre-booked tickets for 15 or more people when tickets are purchased together.

Swanage Railway Rail Card is available to all and offers a 33% on all standard fares. Exclusions are Dining Trains (Wessex Belle) Santa Specials and most special events. Cards cost £15 and are valid for a year.

Combined tickets for Swanage Railway and Corfe Castle Model Village are available at Swanage, Norden and Corfe Castle station booking offices on train operating days only.

Combined tickets for the Sea Train Adventure can be purchased from City Cruises website: www.citycruisespoole.com/from-poole/sea-train-adventure

Website

Telephone: +44 01929 425800

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

2879 reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2019

Excellent
2073
Very Good
672
Average
89
Poor
36
Terrible
9

Recent Reviews:

Stevew07
Christchurch, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Nostalgia at its best
Saturday, 14th September 2019
A wonderful ride through the beautiful Purbeck scenery and the magnificent Corfe Castle. Try the observation car to get up close to the locamotive as it chuffs out of Swanage. Great picnic spots at... Read full review
968adrians
Poole, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Friends getaway
Swanage steam railway festival
Sunday, 15th September 2019
We are members of Bournemouth and Poole Preservation Club and attended their annual show at Harmans Cross to raise funds for the railway. We camped for the weekend and as an exhibitor we're... Read full review
Sam3314
Derby, United Kingdom
Nice rail trip
Sunday, 15th September 2019
A good way to get to Corfe Castle. Big car park at Norden and a short ride to the station for the castle or enjoy the full trip along to Swanage. Nice well maintained rolling stock. Pay the small... Read full review

Write a review

Awards

Green Awards Green Tourism Business Scheme (Bronze) 2018
Dorset Tourism Dorset Tourism Awards 2017 - Silver Award 2017
Dorset Tourism Dorset Tourism Awards Gold 2018 2018

Facilities

Other

Gift Shop

Accessibility

All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors - Coach with easier wheelchair access and disabled toilets on some trains.
Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors - Hearing loops in booking officer, shop and buffets.
Guide Dogs Permitted
Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors - at Norden Car Park
Ramp/Level Access - from car parks, into the Guards Van and open access coach
Toilets for Disabled Visitors - only at Norden Car Park or Swanage seafront and some trains.

Catering

On-Site café/restaurant - On train service plus Swanage Station buffet (open daily) and Norden Station buffet (open most operating days)
Picnic Site - at Norden Car Park

Establishment Features

Dogs Accepted - small charge applies.
Open All Year
Toilets - at Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage stations

Key Features

In countryside - Train travels between Norden and Swanage Town Centre
Indoor Attraction
Max group size - 50
No Smoking Attraction
Open by appointment outside normal opening times
Outdoor Attraction

Parking & Transport

Coach Parking
Parking (charge) - £3.50 per car for all day at Norden Car Park. £5 for coaches - 5 spaces available.

Payment Methods

Apple pay accepted
Cash accepted
Contactless payment accepted
MasterCard accepted
Min group size - 15
TIC Staff Admitted Free
Visa accepted

Specialist Features

Marketed towards children
Marketed towards families
Marketed towards senior citizens

Tours and Demonstrations

Educational Visits Accepted

Travel & Trade

Group discounts available
Min group size numeric qualifier - 15 people must pre-book tickets as a group to qualify for the group discount price.

Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.

Access Information

PARKING

Designated parking provided for guests with disabilities

Designated parking within about 50 metres of main entrance

Flat route with no steps from parking area to entrance

Parking is provided for visitors

Parking on site

Within about 50 metres of the attraction

Route from the parking area to the nearest public entrance is:

Flat, ie. without steps

ATTRACTION ENTRANCE

Ramp to main entrance

Ramp to the main entrance

Steps to main entrance

Steps to the main entrance

There are On to train steps to the main entrance

ACCESS TO PUBLIC AREAS (Displays, exhibits, rides etc)

Level access, ramp or lift to a public toilet

Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to:

Gift shop

Information point

Public toilet

Public toilet suitable for visitors who use a wheelchair

Ticket issuing point

CAFETERIA / RESTAURANT

Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to the:

Cafeteria

GENERAL

Hearing loop system

Non-smoking policy throughout the attraction

Seating available throughout the attraction at appropriate intervals, for visitors with limited mobility

This information is self-assessed; therefore we accept no liability for its accuracy. Please contact the venue for further information.

Map & Directions

View Map

Road Directions

From The West: The nearest major road is the A351. Park at Norden Car Park off A351 just before Corfe Castle village.

From The East: Catch the car ferry between Sandbanks and Studland then follow road signs for Swanage.

Public Transport Directions

By Train & Bus:

From The West: The nearest mainline railway station is Wareham (on the London Waterloo to Weymouth line). Catch the number 40 bus from Wareham Railway Station to Corfe Castle East Street bus stop. It is then a short walk to Corfe Castle Railway Station.

From The East: Catch the train to Bournemouth Railway Station then transfer to the number 50 bus to Swanage Bus/Railway Station.

Journey Planning: To plan your journey by public transport contact, visit the Traveline website: www.travelinesw.com

Website

Telephone: +44 01929 425800

Corfe Castle Model Village and Gardens, Corfe CastleA detailed 1/20th scale model of Corfe Castle and village before its destruction by Thomas Cromwell's army in 1646. Set in an acre of landscaped gardens.

City Cruises Poole, PooleCruises operate daily from Poole Quay and Swanage Pier (1st April - 31st October 2019). We offer a wide selection of cruises along the Jurassic coast, trips to the Victorian resort at Swanage and the Steam Railway, Poole Harbour cruises, evening cruises or private charters.

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About

Opening Times

Guide Prices

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SwanRailway

Swanage Railway

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

Recent Reviews:

Awards

Facilities

Other

Accessibility

Catering

Establishment Features

Key Features

Parking & Transport

Payment Methods

Specialist Features

Tours and Demonstrations

Travel & Trade

Venue Facilities

PARKING

ATTRACTION ENTRANCE

ACCESS TO PUBLIC AREAS (Displays, exhibits, rides etc)

CAFETERIA / RESTAURANT

GENERAL

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Public Transport Directions

Related

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