Our plan for the day was to spend time in Swanage (in the daylight for a change), visit Lulworth Cove before coming back to Swanage for the evening.
The spur of the moment booking of a hotel in Swanage turned out to be a great choice. On the way down I even was able to visit Corfe Castle for the first time despite many earlier visits to the Isle of Purbeck. During the stay in Swanage I used my “Photographing Dorset” book by Mark Bauer to help choose places to visit.
Day 2: Saturday January 22nd 2022 – Swanage Bay
After another full English breakfast at the hotel we were ready for the day ahead. After walking down to Shore Road we turned left. This took us on the narrow promenade along Swanage Bay beach. Above us we could see the houses or hotels at the top of the cliffs.
We walked right to the end of the beach huts until the promenade finished and dropped down onto the sand. We had passed rows of wooden beach huts interspersed with large concrete structures of huts.
To our surprise we also passed early morning swimmers preparing for a dip in the bay – way too cold for us! This is one of the many groynes but this one had a message for the reader.
Back on Shore Road we could see the Swanage team practising in their boat.
Day 2: Saturday January 22nd 2022 – Love Cake in Swanage
The shops in Swanage were very busy. We found some fascinating shops and picked up birthday presents for one of our grandsons. When we decided to take a break we looked for a coffee shop and came to Love Cake. As well as a serving drinks it had a full menu as a deli. We were lucky to get a table by the window. There was a steady stream of customers picking up cakes to take away. After ordering tea I joined the joined the queue of customers choosing cakes from the array on display.
Love Cake in Swanage on TripAdvisor
Wonderful cake
After walking around Swanage we were lucky to be able to get a table at this busy restaurant – tables were booked for others to come in for lunches and we were able to be squeezed before their arrival.
The choice of cakes was fabulous and we shared a large slice along with generous pots of tea.
Fascinating décor, lots of choice for those dining and very friendly service.
Day 2: Saturday January 22nd 2022 – Swanage Pier
After our tea and cake we walked to Swanage Pier. The pier is managed by a trust. We chatted to one of the volunteers who explained how the trust worked to preserve the pier. As well as charging a small entrance fee the trust offers the opportunity to “sponsor a plank” for a period of time. This allows a short message to be engraved on a plaque that is then placed on the pier. The pier appears in Mark’s book on page 50.
I wanted an image of just the pier and after a lot of experimentation (and careful hand holding) this is the image I came away with.
(Note: there was quite an bit of post processing!)
Day 2: Saturday January 22nd 2022 – Lulworth Cove
We decided that visiting Durdle Dor would involve far too much walking and opted instead to visit Lulworth Cove. Lulworth Cove appears is in Mark’s book on page 86. My other visits to this part of the Isle of Purbeck had been when the Army Camp was closed. On this visit all the roads around the camp were closed. Parking was interesting as none of the people queuing up at the meter could fathom how it worked! Luckily for us the car park attendant lent a hand.
We avoided the steep climb where I had been with Robert Harvey on my visit the year before and instead climbed up the easier slope on the right hand side of the cove. This view is looking back up the coast to where we had taken images with Robert, perched at the top looking down
into the small cove, Stair Hole.
From our vantage point sitting on the WW2 observation post’s concrete remains, we had great views across the cove.
The stuffed toys looked a little out of place!
Day 2: Saturday January 22nd 2022 – Lulworth Cove Inn
We added our names to list of visitors waiting for a table inside the Inn. It was rather chaotic around the bar, even getting drinks was not easy! We sat outside and waited patiently for our name to be called. After 20 minutes I went inside and ordered a cob. This took a further 20 minutes to arrive and then looking inside there were lots of empty tables. The Inn was very busy…
From the car park we could see the coastal path that linked Lulworth Cove to Durdle Dor.
Lulworth Cove Inn on TripAdvisor
Not great
The restaurant was very busy and we elected to join the wait list and sit outside and wait for a table.
After waiting we ordered cobs rather than wait for a table any longer for a table- when our food eventually came there were then empty tables inside and we were not called in.
The food was great but would have been better and kept warm if we were not sat outside
Day 2: Saturday January 22nd 2022 – The Ship
Our plan for the evening was to go back into Swanage and have dinner at any restaurant. The choice surprisingly was very limited as it was off season and we found a lot were closed. We joined the waiting list at The Ship and were placed in a not great place due to all the noise. We asked if we could be moved and we found ourselves in an alcove away from everyone. How accommodating the guys were especially as the place was rammed full of families as well as groups of partying adults!
The Ship Inn in Swanage on TripAdvisor
Fabulous place for dinner
We had dinner at the ship on consecutive evenings, the restaurant area was very busy and we hadn’t booked on the Friday but we were fitted in. Everyone was so helpful and were so friendly it felt as though we were regulars – a great atmosphere.
Our food came quickly and was excellent on both evenings – the wine was reasonably priced and I added some local beer as my starter!
We did feel the tables were a bit too close together but on our second evening we were moved to an alcove which was great – thank you guys!
On our way back we did some more window shopping especially enjoying this shop with custom T-shirts.
The Wimpy was closed.
Once back at the hotel we went into the lounge and chatted with our host as we enjoyed a glass of wine. Alan suggested that we explore the highest point of the Isle of Purbeck, Swyre Head.
After Alan’s suggestion we did walk to Swyre Head and then along the hills to Kimmeridge Village.