Visit the station in the heart of town and jump onboard a 20-minute ride to Corfe Castle. We recommend wobbling back on the carriage after a visit to a traditional Corfe pub or two. This place is so evocative of a past era that Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk filmed here with Harry Styles sending the town's youth into madness.

A definite must see. 10 minute drive or taxi or take the steam train from the center of Swanage for this incredible ruined castle. Home to cruel kings, captured princesses, knights thrown in the dreaded ‘oubliette’ and the incredible Lady Mary Bankes who defended it under siege. Towering over the beautiful village of Corfe (essentially Hogsmeade, to the Potterheads), there are many fantastic pubs (some have been going since the 16th century) and plenty of quaint little shops. We'll be headed there Friday 4th day time for those wanting to join!

We hope you'll end up loving this little place as much as we do and that you manage to get some sea air, hit the beach (let's all pray to the weather gods) or enjoy the many shops, pubs and restaurants in the town.

Grab some fish and chips, chill at the hotel or beachfront cabin, or throw around some pennies in the Swanage arcades (Megan and Rick spent ages trying to win a stuffed guinea pig on the claw machine and scared a child to tears when we screamed after finally getting it).

Feeling smugly energetic or want to walk off a hangover? Hike to the famous 'Old Harry's Rocks' - an incredible one hour each way cliff top walk to the iconic rock formation, so named because the devil (nicknamed Ol' Harry) was said to have slept on top of them. It may also be named after Harry Paye- a 14th century pirate from nearby Poole who would hide his ship behind these rocks before raiding Spanish vessels. Either way, great hike.

For a gentler Jurassic Coast walk, Durlston Country Park nature reserve and museum right on the sea is barely a mile walk along the cliffs from the town centre, hit Peveril Point for a good view along the way.

Durdle Door is an iconic landmark for Dorset and the U.K. A 35-40 minute drive from Swanage and a great excuse to see some of the best sights the area has to offer. The Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO world heritage site and well worth getting to whenever you can. If feeling sprightly, park at Lulworth Cove and walk the breathtaking coastal path to Durdle Door and back (40 mins each way) for some of the best views.

Just a 10-15 minute drive from Swanage, the sandy beaches of Studland (Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, Middle Beach) are perfect for a summer stroll with the Purbeck Hills as a backdrop. You can also see remnants of WWII with 'dragons teeth' -anti tank defences and machine gun pillboxes to prevent German land invasion visible in many places.

What's scarier than the threat of invasion? Nudists. Be careful, part of the beach is naturist you have been warned. Rick did not give Megan any heads up when he took her. We do not think this is why the area is called Stud-land.

If looking for a luxurious taste of the British countryside and considering extending your trip, consider a stay at The Pig on the Beach in Studland (just please stay at The Grand too we have rooms to fill, ha!). All food is reared and sourced locally, stay in a posh shepherd's hut or in the country hotel.

If you're into sea monsters - visit Kimmeridge Bay and scour the beach for fossils right on the Jurassic coast. Megan found one! A giant Plesiosaur was also discovered here recently with Sir David Attenborough soon all over it with a BBC/PBS doc. You can see the 'Sea Rex' in the nearby Etches museum right by the beach (25 min drive from Swanage)

If you're into monkeys, visit Monkey World Ape Rescue - founded by a New Yorker! Rick adopted a baby orangutan, Dinda, for an ex-girlfriend back in 2008 and Megan does not let him forget it. Dinda sadly died of colon inflammation in 2020. Best just not mention monkey world to either of us. (30 min drive from Swanage)

If you're into tanks - visit the Tank Museum. Worryingly close to Monkey world (imagine if they escape and can operate heavy machinery?). The world's biggest collection of tanks and a great history museum. Brad Pitt was trained here briefly for the 2014 film Fury and the tank they used is still in the museum. (30 min drive from Swanage)

If you're into squirrels - Brownsea Island is sadly one of the only places left in England where you can see a red squirrel (the other is the Isle of Wight). A beautiful little island that was also where the first ever boy scouts camp originated. (20 min drive from Swanage).

If you're into winning world wars (too much?!) this little protective bunker, Fort Henry, is a short walk on the Studland coast (near the incredible Pig on the Beach hotel). Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower and King George VI (yes, Colin Firth from the King's Speech) all stood shoulder to shoulder in little old Purbeck watching the allied forces D-Day landing practices.

For even more info on Swanage and the surrounding area - https://www.swanage.co.uk/

BATH

If looking for suggestions for South of England highlights, Bath is highly recommended. Visit the Roman Baths, relax in the rooftop thermae spa or embrace Jane Austen vibes and some of the filming locations of Bridgerton. About a 2-hour drive from Swanage, it's the place where Rick spent his university years and Meg and Rick spent their first New Year's Eve together.

STONEHENGE

Worth a quick look and an easy 'on the way' detour if heading to/from London or 90 minutes from Swanage. The famous prehistoric mystery structure is powerful up close and near to where Rick grew up.

Meg visited both these places for the first time in 2011... she went from London to Windsor Castle, to Stonehenge, to Bath and then back to London... in a single day. She is a psychopath and we'd recommend allowing more time.