Swanage Pier History Walk APRIL 2024

🗓️ Wednesday 17th April 2024

Enjoy an informative, historical stroll along Swanage Pier in the footsteps of the Victorians who once walked here.

The fully-restored pier is over 100 years old and carries a wealth of stories and remains an important landmark and social hub today.

Covered seating at the end of Swanage Pier

The History Walk is led by a pier volunteer and begins at the gatehouse.

You’ll be treated to fantastic views of Swanage Bay and across to the Ballard Down headland and Purbeck Ridgeway, as well as the famous Old Harry Rocks.

Swanage Pier was originally built in 1859 (the pier café’s namesake) to assist in the shipping of stone.

Its subsequent history includes being completely rebuilt to cope with increasing demand as the area became a popular seaside tourist destination; being partially blown up as a WWII anti-invasion precaution; extensive storm damage and its saving by the Swanage Pier Trust.

You can view the old pier alongside the restored one.

Note that tours at the pier are weather-dependent.

  • Time – 11am
  • Cost – Free (normal admission to the pier applies)
Victorian pier and benches looking out to Swanage's Ballard Down
Archive image of the entrance to Swanage Pier
Swanage's old wooden pier

Contact

Check out the Swanage Pier Trust website or follow their Facebook page to keep up to date with all the pier events that happen throughout the year: