Step into History with Swanage Town Walks: Uncover the Heartbeat of Heritage
My name is Stewart Borrett and I take historical walks around Swanage which I do in collaboration with the Swanage Museum. My walks start outside the Swanage museum in The Square at 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the season from Easter to the end of September. There is no need to purchase a ticket in advance, please just turn up on the day, however a voluntary contribution in cash at the end of the walk would be most welcome.
Group walks of up to 20 people can be arranged on request throughout the year by contacting the Swanage Museum or the Swanage Information Centre.
About the walk
The walk lasts about 90 minutes and is almost entirely on the flat although it is not very wheelchair friendly.
The walk takes in all the main Victorian and Edwardian attractions in the town. Starting outside the museum we take in: The Stone Quay and the Royal Victoria Hotel. We then go onto the Pier to look at Marine Villa, the two piers and the Wellington Tower. After that we walk back into town to see Charles Burt’s stone office and John Mowlem’s retirement house. We then walk up the High Street and take in the Anchor Inn and a former photographic studio. The Town Hall and Lock Up behind are explained.
We then go up to Purbeck House, George Burt’s retirement home. Going down into the town we look at the former cinema after which we go down to the sea front where I talk about Swanage in World War II which ends the walk.
Details: The walks start outside the Swanage museum in The Square at 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the season from Easter to the end of September.
Below are publications that I have produced to support my walks.
I also sell a Swanage map to help navigate the town, available at the Museum shop for £1.50.
Swanage Rediscovered
A general booklet with a condensed history of the town, a historical walk that’s different from the town walk and the lives of John Mowlem and George Burt. Retail price: £2.99
Swanage in World War II
A book recording people’s feelings towards wartime events in Swanage. The sixteen contributors range from evacuees, GIs, a scientist, a WAAF girl, to others who keep the town functioning. 112 pages with 44 photographs. Retail price: £6.99
A Swanage Wartime Childhood
Fifteen children ranging in age from three to twelve when war broke out recall their lives and how the war affected them. The book concentrates on the home lives of the boys and girls which varied enormously due to size of family and economic circumstances. 130 pages with 53 photographs. Retail price: £6.99
Swanage in the 1920s and 1930s
Eleven contributors record their personal childhood accounts of life in 20s and 30’s Swanage. 75 pages with 22 photographs. Retail price: £5.99
All publications can be purchased at:
The Swanage Information Centre, The White House, Shore Road.
Swanage Bookshop, 35 Station Road.
Swanage Museum, The Square.
Jurassic Centre, Lighthouse Road, Durlston.