Brilliant team of volunteers and staff... Its like going back in time. Great trip

For me was the one attraction in the area I wanted to visit on our holiday and it didn't disappoint. A long time since I went on a steam/heritage railway but this was by far one of the best I've been to. The stations and carriages were all in noticeably great condition, with the stations decorated in the 'golden age of steam' fashion - they look great. It's gets busy, we got the 1040hrs train out of Norden and we were lucky to get a seat so get there early - there is a luggage carriage for wheelchairs/buggies Tickets can be bought online, on the platform or with the ticket inspector, kids under 5 go free (!) and adults were a very reasonable £18 open return. Journey to Swanage took about 20 mins and was very picturesque with a great view of Corfe Castle. The numerous return journies allows for ample time exploring Swanage. There are various museums at the different stations to explore and a shop at Swanage station. Staff were very helpful and a pleasure to see being so enthusiastic about working there - certainly added to the experience.

From the rush hour type bustle of Swanage to the rural idyll of Corfe Castle, pulled by a majestic West Country Class locomotive. A steam dreamer's delight, with both stations gems of preservation. Great vantage points, fascinating artefacts, friendly service and more than a whiff of transport heritage. Swanage Railway is up there with the best of British steam railways, with a lovely diesel railcar for those of us who love such variety.

Absolutely gorgeous. It's not a terribly long run but ideal if you love steam trains. Regular service and good prices.

What a lovely experience!!! Everyone was so pleasant, and we enjoyed it so much.

Always love a steam railway. A decent journey to Corfe Castle (lovely village), or Norton if you want decent parking and Steam into Swanage, the opposite way round.

Absolutely wonderful return trip to Swanage from Corfe Castle. Our little dog hadn’t travelled on any train before and they made a fuss of him which he loved. Scenery is stunning and we thoroughly enjoyed it! The staff have to be commended because they were so friendly and obviously enjoyed their work. I think many are volunteers? If so that’s amazing!

Great staff to talk to. The diesel gale. Never disappointed over the wide variety of different locomotives to ride behind. In diesel gala if I mist 1 train, there will be soon another. It's fun to enjoy.

A beautiful heritage railway manned by friendly and well mannered volunteers. This has to be one of the best kept and most scenic heritage lines the UK has to offer. We have visited many time and have always has a great experience, even on poor weather days. But if the sun is shining, then it is absolutely magical. Great views of the local rural countryside. Get a seat on the observation car if you get the chance (it is not always hooked up). For £3.50 you get the best views whilst travelling in this panoramic glazed rail car. Awesome 🤩.

A beautiful traditional station with old steam and diesel engine train takes you back into time. We parked round the corner in Swanage car park costing £8 for the whole day parking and has a toilet on site and lots of parking space. We booked 2 x family tickets for up to 5 people per family for £45 each. Lots of space on train and lovely staff at the station and the station even had the old traditional feel and look about it. Once boarded on train the train visits 4 stations along the route. We got off at Corfe Castle and took a walk and lunch seeing the historic castle ruins and village. To visit the castle you have to purchase tickets but we opted to see the ruins from the path route and hill top views. The village has lots of shops to eat, drink and buy souvenirs. Was really great to hear the history and story from a volunteer who has been working on the train line for over 30 years. He was very funny and had a great sense of humour not just telling us about the train history but about the castle history also. Its a must visit, transports you back into time and worth the money. Thank you to everyone who is keeping this history alive!!

Each visit to the charming town of Swanage, nestled along the picturesque Purbeck coast, feels like stepping into a haven I never wish to leave. There's a timeless allure here, reminiscent of a 1970s seaside retreat, untouched and brimming with simple joys. The air is filled with the inviting aroma of freshly fried fish and chips, cozy cafes dot the landscape, and there's even a nostalgic "Wimpy" that adds to the town's quaint charm. The heart of Swanage beats with the rhythm of its heritage railway, lovingly operated by passionate volunteers who breathe life into the romance of steam travel. The journey offers breathtaking views of Corfe Castle, creating a scenic backdrop that feels plucked from the pages of an Enid Blyton adventure. On a sun-drenched day, tracing the paths once imagined by Blyton herself, the essence of Swanage unfolds in all its beauty, offering moments of pure bliss that linger long after the visit.

Lovely afternoon out, specially good if the weather isn’t beach worthy. The staff are always friendly, the trains are clean and a joy to watch, and ride in. I have taken to riding to Corfe, having a pub lunch and riding back again (not having to park in Corfe is always a plus). UPDATE: If you're here at Christmas, go on the light spectacular trip. Great evening, whether with or without kids. And finally, nothing to do with this train, but made me smile...... Did you know reading between the lines can be dangerous, specially if you’re at a train station.

Lovely visit and good to see the staff operate with COVID measures in place. Felt safe the whole time and people where respectful of social distancing. We couldn’t stay in Swanage and not go on the train to Corfe Castle

Me and my Family come here every year when we are camping in corfe castle, the lifeguards are amazing and so interactive, the staff are bubbly and friendly and don’t make you feel like a nuisance if you have an issue. We always get food after as well and the burgers and chips are to die for!! We are usually disappointed by food at places like this but this place never lets us down, as well as a Cornish ice cream for pudding after!! We always purchase the photos every year as well, the photographers always do such a good shop and they are such nice memories to look back on. Great value for money too if you buy them on the day. Couldn’t recommend this place more!!

Excellent Aqua session with good facilities. Coffee kiosk, changing area, lockers, toilets & photo shack. Easy going helpful staff and well supervised. Will return.

Great Afternoon. 4pm session, which was quite quiet with 21 people so ideal time to go. Ludo and Poppy were excellent and very helpful. Will definitely be going again!!

We have been here a few times before but this year we noticed that a few changes have been made. You have to collect your wetsuits then walk down to the briefing area before entering the water. You get 30 minutes on one piece of floating apparatus and then 30 minutes on the other. It is well organised and the staff are very friendly and helpful. It is a great place to burn off steam and afterwards you will certainly sleep well as it is very tiring after an hour of clambering around in and out of the water. You can hire wetsuits which we have done, we have also worn our own, but this year it was hot and we went in wearing shorts and t shirts. You can wear rubber swim shoes or buy grippy socks for £2.50. The socks are a good buy as they are very very grippy and also they wash up well.

Great place for some family fun, we went and did the mud run, kids and husband had a fantastic time (I was the photographer) spectators can follow the course around, you are left to it so their is no time pressure and you can repeat the obstacles you enjoyed the most. For women, I'd say wear an old bikini or somthing under your clothes so at the showers you can strip off abit to try and wash off better. You rinse in a stream first then the showers but you will not get it all off. Wear old clothes you are happy to just bin. Some lads had football boots on too, seemed a good idea, as you can imagine it's very slippy 😂 The showers and changing is all very open so don't plan a nice meal out or something after, you will definitely need to go home and clean properly. We are coming back this week to do the water one.

The mud run was so much fun! Not many people supervising, would have preferred some guides around the place motivating us on. Facilities are grim! I get there is a lot of mud around the place but the smells and state of the toilets was more lack of hygiene than mud. Could do with a few more showers at the end too Would do it again though!

One advice to everyone, If you are worried to arrive to early, actually you are already late. Other than that it was an absolute blast and would definitely come back only next time allow ourselves more time in advance to get changed and setup. Thank You DAP and a team!

Sorry I can't give much of the experience of going alone as I went with my school but I can say the mud run was great fun and I was soaked. The water parks are both great although one of them is quite cold whereas the other was warmer the trampoline was great to jump off but I couldn't get on the cheese piece the slides were also so great

Took my wife 10 8 and 6 year old and they loved it! Even my wife who isn't really into this type of thing. The kit was comfy and kept us warm. OK changing facilities. But the inflatables were great for 7+ year olds. They were tricky for a 6 year old. But just meant I stayed close to him, which was super fun. Life guards were really good communicators and did great briefings and fun support during the event. Felt really safe secure and fun. 1 hour seemed short, but I was toast after 50 minutes so perfect timing. Kids are really keen to go again. Thanks guys.

Place is great fun and very well run. Was my sons birthday and he and his friends had the best time. Food and facilities were also great. Will be coming back again this summer!

Absolutely amazing! The staff are amazing! My children enjoyed both courses so much! So much fun! I would definitely recommend it.

Great fun with the kids. They loved the mud run and I was jealous as hell wat hung them on the water park from the banks!

This is such a great place! We have been a few times now and everyone in the family loves it! The staff are great and so knowledgeable, and there is always so many that it's always felt very professional and safe! The most recent visit was for my sons 12th birthday and they had an absolute ball!!! Thanks to everyone involved!!

The staff are fantastic, very welcoming, we have been going for the last three years. They are one of a very few water parks who allow their instructors to interact with the customers - and by that I mean, you can push them in but they will push you back - all very nice natured though..! Would thoroughly recommend. There are two lakes with different types of water obstacles plus they have a muddy trail obstacle course, if water isn't your thing. Try it all out, you won't be let down.

Four miles of sandy beach, white cliffs, walking trails and wildlife galore. This is a really decent heathland reserve on the Jurassic coast. And it's honestly, together with the whole Jurassic coast, worthwhile visiting. It's really good for walking, a great picnic spot. But it's also good for water sports and coasteering.

Lovely walk today along the beach, sea was a little choppy and the wind was chilly, once you walked over to the dunes the sun was very nice.

This is a favourite place as a start of a coastal walk to Dancing Ledges and back over the top via the Priest's Way. A really varied part of the coastline with lots of birds and wildlife to see against the backdrop of the sea. The castle is a good spot if you need toilets or a cafe. It has an interesting little shop too with all kinds of things on offer. Well worth a visit.

One of my favourite places in the world! Amazing views, amazing wildlife! Timed our visit so we could see the guillemots and razorbills fledging, which we did, and also had a Raven fledgling. Tons of butterflies... skippers Inc Lulworth skipper, marbled white.. lots of insects. Such a stunning place and looking amazing where they have been doing work.

Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve is a true hidden gem along the South Coast, offering breathtaking views and serene surroundings. The best part? Entry is free, making it an accessible destination for all. Unlike more crowded attractions, Durlston remains relatively undiscovered, providing a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. From stunning coastal vistas to lush greenery, the views from Durlston are simply awe-inspiring. Located just a short drive from Bournemouth, it's a must-visit for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Durlston Country Park is sure to leave a lasting impression.

A beautiful "clifftop" country park in the heart of Dorset's Jurassic coast and located just above the west side of Swanage. Fabulous walks and views, although some walks can be on the steep side. The views out to sea are stunning, as is the surrounding countryside.

A very well looked after park with excellent information boards and good paths. All very clean and tidy. The car park is paid for and reasonable price otherwise there’s no charge for the park or the castle which has information, a shop and cafe. Great views from the coastal paths over Swanage bay, across to the Isle of Wight and towards Portland. Lot of nature and birds especially in the cliff faces.

Fantastic place to wander and walk. Accessible walk from Swanage or park at the carpark. We absolutely loved all the wooded area with things to climb and swing on. A great walk around from the castle to the lighthouse aswell.

Durlston is a fantastic place to visit. Beautiful walks along the coast with plenty of photo opportunities. There's a great variety of wildlife in the area - keep an eye out for dolphins if you're there at the right time of year! The castle / visitor centre has good facilities. Seventhwave Cafe & Restaurant is a lovely spot for a refreshment and bite to eat, with plenty of options available

I absolutely adore this place and will be returning this year to do the costal path back to Weymouth. The views are absolutely out of this world and you wont be dissapointed, be careful with young children as some parts are completely high at the top of cliffs!

Great views, beautiful walks, The castle is a lovely place to explore and we usually visit when we come to Dorset. Would highly recommend it, maybe better on a dry day but if you're an all weather person you'd enjoy it anytime of year. The cafe/restaurant is also very nice serving good food and drinks.

We loved this place. So much to recommend it for all ages. Lovely walks in material settings, lovely cream tea in the café. Fabulous views and presentations including a four screen cinema. Great architecture in the modern lower ground floor. All round wonderful experience but needed more time than we had. Free access but cheap pay parking.

A wonderful coastal country park, with cafe toilets parking and walks. It's free entry but pay for parking. I walked from Studland so didn't visit car park. Very well kept. Things for young children in the wooded areas, swings etc all wood made. Views across to Isle of Wight.

This beautiful part of the Dorset coastline is interesting to explore with its castle and stone globe, as well as a lighthouse. The coastal path is reasonably accessible and the views over Swanage and to the Isle of Wight are spectacular. There are a few bird hides and a number of benches for anyone wanting to watch for Dolphins. The cafe is good and the home-made soup today was delicious. There's a large car park and accessible paths to the castle, cafe and shop.

Durlston country park has interesting features..great views from the headland especially looking back towards Old Harry's Rocks across the bay at Swanage. Nice sitting outside on patio with coffee and cake. The Globe is an unusual feature ..worth a look if rather inaccessible except down steps. All a bit Victorian in the sentiments expressed on the walls around ..but yes... pausing to think a little about our place in the universe is a good thing to do... We didn't get as far as the walks in the nature reserve as we were short if time...but they look promising.

Lovely. Enjoyable coastal walk. Notably, very clean, well maintained, and with free toilets (nice ones) - unheard of where I live.

Fantastic place for a day out. The information centre is full of useful advice, or a great coffee shop with a terrific view and a well stocked gift shop. But the main reason to come here are the amazing costal views. Keep your eyes peeled and you might see a peregrine falcon.

We parked on the main road for free rather than use the carpark. It was a nice walk to Durlston castle. The cafe was rather expensive, it did however have nice views & was dog friendly. There are plenty of benches if you'd rather bring a picnic. There are several walks to choose from, the one we did was well signposted.

Excellent place, amazing views. Easy parking. The access was quite simple. No hiking required. Enjoyed thoroughly.

Very beautiful place. Parking £3 - 2 h ( by cash or app) From parking around 20 min walking Amazing views🌻

An amazing part of the coast with some fantastic viewpoints and a lovely worthwhile coastal walk. Parking at either car park is fine and reasonably priced with a walk of 25-40mins to the main feature. Plan to stay for a few hours and doing the coastal walk is well worth it!

Stunning views from the coast, nice place for walking.

Absolutely gorgeous and terribly dangerous outcrops. A real adrenaline rush, the kids loved it. Definitely worth seeing. There are well marked paths to the beach which is also beautiful. Studland is a beautiful village but very expensive. Swanage is a 10 minute drive so would recommend you eat there.

Old Harry Rocks, on the South coast of England, is a must-see gem. These striking chalk formations rise majestically from the sea, offering a breathtaking sight. The contrast between the white cliffs and the blue waters is simply stunning. Whether viewed from land or sea, the beauty of Old Harry Rocks is unforgettable. Don't miss this iconic destination along the Jurassic Coast.

One of my most favourite places in Dorset!

One of the iconic scenery of the Dorset landscape! You can enjoy the view Poole and Bournemouth, Swanage in the distance and even Isle of Wright in a clear sunny day. Just be sensible not to stay too close to the cliff edge.

Beautiful.. we rented a pair of bikes from near Bournemouth pier and cycled to Old Harrys .. definitely recommend it .. especially on a beautiful day

A wonderful place for a walk. Amazing views. On the way, restaurants with toilets. I honestly recommend it!

We walked to Old Harry Rocks from Swanage beach. It was beautiful weather after a week of rainy days. We saw some places land-sliding while walking on the beach. Also from the top of the stairs which is at the end of beach walk until you start climbing, there was a long muddy path…especially after long rainy days so our walk was pretty exciting! It was such a stunning view! We will definitely do the walk again! If you get close to the edge it was pretty scary so be careful with little ones who are just running towards the edge with excitement!

Great views out to sea, a nice easy walk from the car park. Don’t go too near the edge! Can see for miles around up there. An interesting place to visit.

It's a really cool place to paddle board to (when the tide is right and sea/wind is calm). You can get a unique perspective of the place. When paddling between studland and here I also saw a seal and a few fish!

Good parking available nearby, easy walk to the rocks. The landscape is surreal. A treat for nature lovers

Amazing scenic coast walk with white cliffs. Experience a beautiful sunset! In my opinion this place is better than Dover's cliffs. It's a 20 minute walk from the car park, and there is no entrance fee to the place itself. Will definitely visit again if I'm in the area.

Beautiful place but nothing too exciting as hyped about. We parked at South Beach car Park and started out walk. Don’t be misled by Google Maps. It showed 2 hour walk but it was only 40min or less depending on your speed. There are Toilets just before the walk starts at the sign board. Once you reach , there not much. Just 2 or 3 standing rocks but the views in all directions are stunning! It’s a grassy area so nice to relax for a while before making your way back.