Stations

Norden is situated to the north of Corfe Castle, directly adjacent and accessible from the main A351 road before you reach Corfe. Just follow the clearly marked brown tourism signs to the ample car park, kindly provided by Dorset Council. You can park all day long (charges apply), leave traffic hassles behind and let the train take the strain.

Norden is much more than a car park! Explore the industrial past of Purbeck by visiting our new award winning Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum. Experience the sights and smells as you and your family venture underground, experiencing Victorian life as a ball-clay miner. Marvel at the narrow gauge railways, once common in this area, which transported the ball-clay to sidings connected to the Swanage branch before being made into a wide variety of household products.

There is a children’s wooden play area for the kids to let off steam, our well stocked refreshment facility and picnic areas, male, female and accessible toilets, local tourist and bus information. Catch the Swanage Railway train from here to Corfe Castle, Harmans Cross and Swanage.

Harmans Cross makes a great starting point for exploring the Purbeck countryside; why not walk or cycle from here, then pick up the train from our stations at;

• Norden
• Corfe Castle
• Herson Halt
• Swanage

There are footpaths south to the stunning Jurassic Coastline, the Portland stone mining areas, to Corfe and to Swanage. Local camp sites provide the ideal place to stay, our trains run frequently in both directions so you can explore further what the Purbecks have to offer.

The station is located in a tranquil spot, within unspoilt rolling Dorset countryside which retains its agricultural charm and rolling hills which has inspired artists and writers for generations, including Thomas Hardy and Enid Blyton.

Local volunteers continue the traditions of station staff by carefully tending the station gardens, alongside period buildings typical of branchlines throughout Dorset – though you will find it unbelievable that the station was only opened in 1989! This was the only new station built in Dorset since the days of steam. The platforms, period buildings with Portland stone, signalbox and semaphore signals have all been rescued, restored and installed at Harmans Cross. Many of our train services pass each other using the two tracks at this station, with platform indicators guiding you to the correct platform. With plenty of seating and picnic benches, it makes an ideal spot to stop off and watch the trains majestically steam in and out of the station.

Many of our special events are hosted at Harman’s Cross on the adjacent field and newly built village hall.

Catch the Swanage Railway train from here to Herston, Harmans Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden (for Purbeck Park).

The grand seaside terminus of the line, Swanage station boasts a newly restored long canopy and has all the charm of a seaside holiday of days gone by.

As the train pulls into the station you can see the old luggage and platform trolleys, once common all over the country. Our well stocked Gift Shop is open every day we are running and offers a wide range of souvenirs, gifts, toys and local products to suit all tastes and budgets. There are also books and DVDs about the branch and railways in Dorset.

Just in case you have worked up a thirst or hunger, we have Swanage Station Kiosk located in the Booking Hall ready to serve a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks, delicious locally produced ice cream and cakes. Why not pick up some refreshments to take on the train with you?

You can view the action live at our webcam

The station is in the centre of the town, with the main high street running from the station down to the beach with lots of small independent shops. These offer something for all tastes as well as beach equipment if you have forgotten your bucket and spade!

The picturesque Swanage Bay is World Heritage Site “Jurassic Coast”, with stunning headlands to either end and an award winning sandy “Blue Flag” beach with calm clear waters, enjoyed by bathers for generations. Swanage has retained its Victorian seaside charm, complete with bathing huts, promenade, pier used by paddle steamers and vibrant calendar of local events including the regatta and carnival. You can catch an open top bus from Swanage station to Sandbanks, with more buses to Durlston Country Park, which offers commanding views of the Isle of Wight and the Jurassic Coast world heritage site, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Our station staff and the Tourist Information Office on the seafront adjacent to the sandy beach has lots of ideas to suit all families, and with lots of local accommodation why not stay a while in Swanage?