23-09-2007

Two pillars of Purbeck stone form part of a feature with Swanage harbour in the background

Looking across Swanage Bay from near Peveril Point towards Ballard Point.

The sea front seen from the same vantage point, Swanage is compact with everything close to hand, I've loved the town since going to a nearby activity centre with my school.

Looking down on Peveril Point with its coastguard lookout post.

Looking across to Ballard Down and Ballard Point.

The harbour and beach with the hills in the background.

Part of the harbour with the pier in the background.

Another view of the pier and activity on the water.

A view from the pier with, in the foreground, the remains of a "branch" off the existing pier.

I was surprised to see the Western Lady here at Swanage pier, she used to operate across Torbay from Torquay to Brixham.

Another pleasure boat, the Bournemouth Belle, approaching the pier with Ballard Down, Old Harry Rocks and, in the distance, Bournemouth in the background.

Zooming in on the distant Bournemouth.

Two views from the pier to Peveril Point.

This rather oddly decorated building is between the pier and the town - you have to look twice to be sure what you are seeing!

These narrow gauge tram tracks set in the quayside path are a relic of Swanage's past when large quantities of Purbeck stone were shipped out from here for prestige buildings in other towns and cities.

The branch line from Wareham to Swanage was closed in the 1970's but much of it is now a heritage railway.  Besides the steam trains some diesels are used such as this one arriving from the Park & Ride station at Norden.

Swanage beach from the sea front looking towards Ballard Down.

Looking the other way along the beach with the harbour, pier and Mowlem Theatre visible.

A wider angle view with Peveril Point in the distance.

Looking back at the beach and Mowlem Theatre from the short pier in the middle of the sea front.