Swanage is situated on the Isle of Purbeck, an area of outstanding natural beauty in south east Dorset. The wonderful Purbeck Hills are ever present in the views from Swanage. The Jurassic Coast, the name given to the magnificent coastline between Old Harry Rocks, just north of Swanage, and Orcombe Point, Devon, is a World Heritage Site.
Relax on the glorious sandy beaches of Swanage Bay - Bella Vista is only eighty yards from the nicest beach in Swanage. Enjoy the traditional English seaside with Punch and Judy shows on the beach. Discover some of London's old buildings brought to Swanage stone by stone by local benefactor and industrialist John Mowlem in the nineteenth century and re-erected in Swanage, including The Clock Tower near the pier.
Walk the Dorset Coast Path, at the end of our road, to Old Harry Rocks and take in the stunning views from Ballard Down. Or enjoy one of the finest walks in the country from Swanage to Corfe Castle across Nine Barrow Down - come back by steam train. On the other side of Swanage lies Durlston Country Park with its nature trails and remarkable cliffs. Visit the Park Centre and hear dolphins and undersea noises on the hydrophone.
At the centre of Purbeck lies the stone village of Corfe Castle dominated by the dramatic ruins of the castle. The town is steeped in history - in 978 the Saxon St Edward the Martyr was murdered here on the orders of his step-mother. The castle, held by Lady Bankes for the King during the English Civil War, was captured by Parliamentarians in 1646 and 'slighted' (destroyed).
Swanage makes an ideal base from which to explore many of Dorset's finest attractions including: Swanage Steam Railway, Sandbanks, Durdle Door, Tyneham, Lulworth Cove, Kimmeridge, Poole Harbour, Winspit, Dancing Ledge, Chapmans Pool, The Blue Pool, The Tank Museum at Bovington and Monkey World.
Swanage has lovely sandy beaches. From 1st May to 30th September dogs are not allowed on the beach below Bella Vista but are allowed on the promenade and beaches beyond at all times.
Bella Vista is a deceptively large house with a picturesque garden, overlooking Swanage Bay. Built in the 1900's, it has had a variety of uses.
From 1900 to 1934 it was known as The Bungalow and was let as apartments. In 1934 it was renamed Bella Vista and operated as a private hotel until 1940 when it was taken over by the army and used to billet troops including, from 1944, US Army soldiers. Bella Vista re-opened as a private hotel in 1954 and since then has been used for a variety of hospitality offerings including bed and breakfast, retreat centre, whole house summer lets and celebrations.
William and Naomi Duffield took over ownership in October 2017 and very much look forward to welcoming guests from January 2018
Residential retreats, courses, workshops, one to one sessions and more now available at Bella Vista, see our Swanage Retreats website for more details.
