Swanage Railway
Swanage Railway
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Swanage Railway provides an ideal way to get to the beach without the need to park in Swanage. Simply leave your car at Purbeck Park, next to Norden station, which is conveniently located just off the A351 north of Corfe Castle, and start your holiday early!
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
89 within 3 miles
Attractions
45 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- mumphTaplow, United Kingdom178 contributionsScenic short steam railway tripLovely renovated line between Corfe Castle and Swanage manned by volunteers who have done a great job equipping and restoring and running this bit of history to 1950s condition. Both termini situated very close to the town centres which make for easy sightseeing. Volunteers all helpful and very friendly.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 8 October 2023
- noonoos28 contributionsA bit DisapointingA lovely evening on the polar express the train was decorated up nice and christmassy and the staff were very good and the actors were great recreating the polar express. It was a bit disorganised to start with boarding the train no directions which carriage was what and where you were supposed to go . I am going to be honest I don't think it was worth the ticket price quite expensive for what is was . I have been to a polar express in a different location in devon and I'm sorry but there's was much better than swanage there was more singing and dancing in the carriages from the actors and it was more musical. I felt this was not that musical to be honest and it didn't provide the full experience.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 16 December 2023
- Graham RHoniton, United Kingdom384 contributionsWinter WarmthThe "Winter Warm Up" was well worth attending. There was a selection of steam and diesel locomotives hauling passengers and freight. The main beach carpark is about 250 yards from the station and cost £1 for the whole day. Spend some time at Corfe Castle station. There is an interesting museum and a good second hand book shop in a van. The staff were very friendly and helpful. It is a lovely, short journey especially with the weather being kind!Visited January 2024Travelled soloWritten 6 January 2024
- Clare NTiverton, United Kingdom69 contributionsLovely to ride on a steam trainVery busy day on the train as it was offering a special deal if you were local ,we were not , there were lots of children as it was half term as well. We managed to get a seat and went to Corfe Castle , we had a look around , a drink and ten returned to Swanage . We had to stand as it was so busy . All volunteers were very helpful and lovely with the small children.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 February 2024
- Rory561Windsor, United Kingdom268 contributionsEnjoyable dayWe had a really nice afternoon taking the steam train, got off at two of the stops. There were lots of volunteers and information displays, to enable us t9 learn the history of the railway and about all the hard work the volunteers have put in. Beautifully maintained trains and station buildings. Overheard a volunteer taking to a child about their cygnets programme for children to volunteer and eventually train to drive the trains, which sounded lovely.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 February 2024
- Paul RWells, United Kingdom847 contributionsNice to travel by steamVisited Swanage on a random day out and nice to the railway running so we paid for a return journey at a cost of £40 which I thought was a bit steep but given that we just paid £1 for parking at the main carpark for the day as we were out of season then the cost of the return was justified. We were also lucky that they accept cash because from the 31st March 2024 it goes card only which I think is a bit unfair as it's the sort of place that would benefit from people paying by cash. Nice journey down the line and back again as you can get off at Corfe Castle explore and get back at a later time. Plenty of information about the line and staff were helpful too.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 March 2024
- thebin16Milton Keynes, United Kingdom172 contributionsJust an expensive trip to the seaside if the museum's closedAlthough the children enjoyed the steam train ride, I was a little underwhelmed. We did a return trip Norden to Swanage, visiting the beach and breaking our journey at Corfe Castle on the way back. There is only a shop/cafe at Swanage, and the railway museum at Corfe Castle was closed (volunteer shortage?). There was no opportunity to wander round on the ground and see some of the preserved items up close. As it was, it's an expensive trip to the seaside. We were also disappointed there were no through trains from Wareham any longer, as we would have used it all the way from where we were staying. Having said all that, it was a nice ride, and the staff were all very friendly and pleasant!Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 April 2024
- nk12butlerReading, United Kingdom87 contributionsFantastic for both the young and oldWow my husband, myself and a group of our friends had a great time on this most stunning steam engine. We couldn’t fault our journey from Swanage to Norden. We had excellent weather with it clouding over only a few times but it made the journey and seeing Corfe Castle in an amazing way.Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 24 May 2024
- Judy JRowley Regis, United Kingdom31 contributionsLovely little village.Had a lovely few hours travelling from swanage to Corfe castle having a walk around we had a drink in the greyhound pub. Only a few little shops but we did try the lovely bakery that we had very large pasties from. Lovely views of the castle and you can pay to go and have a walk to the top of the castle we didn’t but will definitely be back on our own to explore another time. We didn’t get off at other stations as we had my 81 year old mom who can’t walk.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 15 June 2024
- Cathryn B5 contributionsFabulous day out on the train!We had a wonderful day on the train from Swanage to Corfe Castle, great views on the journey and lovely staff. A special mention to Peter Hunt for all his interesting info on places to visit, his knowledge and enthusiasm were first rate!. Highly recommend a trip.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
3,318 reviews
Excellent
2,406
Very good
741
Average
109
Poor
43
Terrible
20
Stella, Brighton
28 contributions
Aug 2020
We took a trip on the steam railway to Swanage and I cannot praise the experience, and especially the staff highly enough. All the carriages were meticulously cleaned between changeovers and care taken to ensure that social distancing was in place. All of the staff were so helpful and friendly, taking the time to pass a kind word with passengers and their children.
We did not pre book tickets and had no problems getting on the train and there were also plenty of spaces in the car park so that everything was well organised and Ran smoothly.
If you get a rainy day (or should I say when you get a rainy day) in Dorset I recommend you take the train, sit back and enjoy.
We did not pre book tickets and had no problems getting on the train and there were also plenty of spaces in the car park so that everything was well organised and Ran smoothly.
If you get a rainy day (or should I say when you get a rainy day) in Dorset I recommend you take the train, sit back and enjoy.
Written 27 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zarina K
Uxbridge, UK22 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Firstly, the website is very confusing and many people have paid double the price for a four seater with table. I was lucky I decided to call to enquire about station stops and mentioned price, I was told that for a table of four u only need to pay £25 as kids under a certain age go free, I would have paid £50. It would have been good if the station staff acted the part as well by blowing the whistle like they did in the olden days! More notably there were no wipes or anything given so you could wipe down where previous passengers had sat! So not the safest. The return train did not even have windows open they were locked which with Covid is not good.
Written 8 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason Turvey
Braintree, UK41 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
The railway is open again but has restrictions in terms of capacity and so I booked my tickets in advance, only to find out that I had accidentally booked my tickets for the previous week!
The staff at the booking office in Swanage were really helpful and contacted me the next day to confirm that I was able to ride the railway on the erroneously purchased tickets.
The railway itself is fantastic and I’d recommend it to anyone. Thanks to everyone on the Swanage Railway and I’d urge you all to support the railway by travelling on it soon.
The staff at the booking office in Swanage were really helpful and contacted me the next day to confirm that I was able to ride the railway on the erroneously purchased tickets.
The railway itself is fantastic and I’d recommend it to anyone. Thanks to everyone on the Swanage Railway and I’d urge you all to support the railway by travelling on it soon.
Written 2 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick W
Sevenoaks, UK2,341 contributions
May 2021
Good weather helped, but we had a fabulous day on the Swanage to Norden steam railway. It helped that we were pulled by the steam engine Eddystone which was only on its third run after a £350,000 boiler refit. The engine was in magnificent condition and I was even allowed to go on the foot plate to take photographs! It takes about 30 minutes to travel slowly from Swanage to Norden stopping at Corfe Castle. The scenery is lovely, the experience is pleasant and the opportunity to photograph the locomotives is an added extra. We actually walked back from Norden to Corfe castle (it takes about 20 minutes) and then re-joined the return train (changing our ticket) at Norden. The railway carriages are authentically 1950s but extremely clean, and the railway is efficiently run by a team of dedicated, cheerful and helpful volunteers. We paid £16.00 each for the return journey and thought it was a great experience. The added bonus was that we did not need to worry about parking our car at Corfe castle where the roads were very congested and crowded. Thoroughly recommended!
Written 31 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AltabasTravels
London, UK279 contributions
Sept 2021
We took the steam railway from Corfe Castle to Swanage and back again as it was quite a wet and wild day.
The trains themselves are very cool and there is a free museum and information boards around Corfe Castle which are worth looking at if you have a little spare time. The carriages could potentially be a little better kept.
The trainline itself is nice and presents good views of the Dorset countryside as you head through.
It's relatively pricey at £16 a head for a return ticket and for what is a journey of not much more than 20 minutes though I appreciate that the upkeep of these older steam engines is probably fairly high.
The trains themselves are very cool and there is a free museum and information boards around Corfe Castle which are worth looking at if you have a little spare time. The carriages could potentially be a little better kept.
The trainline itself is nice and presents good views of the Dorset countryside as you head through.
It's relatively pricey at £16 a head for a return ticket and for what is a journey of not much more than 20 minutes though I appreciate that the upkeep of these older steam engines is probably fairly high.
Written 30 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave
Alton, UK96 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
We started our experience at Norden where there is loads of reasonable priced parking and went straight to the nearby station to catch the on time steam train to Swanage taking in great views including Corfe Castle. We had lunch in Swanage and a good look around before the return journey. My grandson is 4 1/2 and loves Thomas the tank engine so this was a dream trip for him.
Written 22 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sweenie
15 contributions
Sept 2020
Complete rubbish now, You have a total cheek asking to please keep your railway alive and running. So Swanage railway plandemic overacters, have taken the F out of fun! Will Never travel again! We keep this running, coming 3+ times per year. But because of total stupidity and over-acters regarding the covid panic lie! You want to have your cake and eat it! 1 train! Booking only, even empty trains wouldn't allow on because time on tickets only! Sitting in designated seats not to move, nor looking out at the train going along, true steam enthusiasts beware, All Nostalgia Gone! We park at a campsite along the route and you cancelled Inbetween main stations! So no seeing steam back and forth from the site, and miles to walk to a station! We've now decided not to Holliday and our short break trips to Swanage, shame your company spoiled it for so many people.
Written 18 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoo7Zoo
Bottisham, UK267 contributions
Sept 2021
Had no idea their was a Steam Railway in Swanage so thought why not give it a try?
Its a very educational trip and its only after you pay your fare to get to learn about the amazing things that have happened in order to make this railway work as it does today, staffed by volunteers and steam enthusiasts its run very efficiently and is spotlessly clean and tidy. the trains run to 3 other stations other than Swanage and the whole trip takes about 22 minutes one way. the steam trains are great and the country side views are amazing. We got off at Corfe Castle the second from last station and you can visit the castle which will cost you to get as its a National Trust property in or walk around the lovely village surrounding it. On the station is a museum which you should really go and visit with a short film explaining how this line was reopened and the full history of the line which i found very informative.
the fares are not cheap but it costs a lot to run but i did think they could have more different family type fares to make it cheaper for a group without children.
LOVELY TRIP RECOMMENDED.
Its a very educational trip and its only after you pay your fare to get to learn about the amazing things that have happened in order to make this railway work as it does today, staffed by volunteers and steam enthusiasts its run very efficiently and is spotlessly clean and tidy. the trains run to 3 other stations other than Swanage and the whole trip takes about 22 minutes one way. the steam trains are great and the country side views are amazing. We got off at Corfe Castle the second from last station and you can visit the castle which will cost you to get as its a National Trust property in or walk around the lovely village surrounding it. On the station is a museum which you should really go and visit with a short film explaining how this line was reopened and the full history of the line which i found very informative.
the fares are not cheap but it costs a lot to run but i did think they could have more different family type fares to make it cheaper for a group without children.
LOVELY TRIP RECOMMENDED.
Written 9 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter369
St. Albans, UK39 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
It is difficult to add to the many glowing comments on this lovely little steam railway, but I wanted to praise the volunteer staff who make this such a top attraction. They include the guard at Norden Station who was extremely kind and helpful after our young grandson was stung by a wasp before boarding a train. Fortunately, after a trip to a local pharmacy, we were able board a later train and the day out was not lost.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hunda
Torre-Pacheco, Spain539 contributions
Oct 2019
My husband is a steam train fanatic so on his birthday we took the bus from Bournemouth where we were staying for a couple of days for a concert, and we did the trip to Corfe Castle on the steam train. It was a delight and not to be missed. Very well run and so lovely to see these old steam trains so well maintained and loved. All the staff were a delight to deal with.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How does the railway help people who are allergic to dogs?
Is there a separate carriage?
Written 8 August 2023
There are no such provision - as carriages are all 70 years old (or older) they have ti be rotated, taken out of service for maintenance etc - the railway will try to accommodate all needs where reasonably practical to do so but unfortunately in this case I don’t think there’s anything that could be done.
Written 7 January 2024
Is it possible to park and take a train from Norden station on a Sunday to Swanage to ride on the Dorsetman train for lunch?
Written 14 June 2022
We have a lunch booked on the Dorsetman leaving swanage at 12.35 and returning at 15.22. Is it possible to park at Noden Station and get a train?
Written 14 June 2022
Does the car park at Norden Station for the seam train accept card payments or just coins?
Written 17 August 2021
There is a massive car park at the station.. we didn't use it so not sure the answer but worth phoning tourist information in swanage to ask... they are very helpful
Written 19 August 2021
I've bought tickets and notice they are for a set date rather than a timed train. On weekends in the summer holidays can you generally get on your choice of train or do they get often get full up and you have to wait for the next one?
Written 3 August 2021
We did get an earlier train back. The weather was awful and the train wasn't full . It was also the first day after look down.
Not sure how things will be in the summer holidays?
It's a great day out !
Written 5 August 2021
Hi there, I’d like to take my little dog on the steam train and sea cruise adventure. Is that ok and do I need to pay as at booking, it only asks for adults and children?
Thank you
Jane
Written 15 September 2019
The steam train allows dogs but I am not sure about the boat - good luck
Written 17 September 2019
Is the cost for the train the same erelevant of what stop you get on?
Written 17 August 2019
No, it varies between stations. Check their website for more details.
Written 17 August 2019
Does thr train stop at Herstons Halt everytime you call for it to halt?
Written 17 August 2019
The answers so far have been correct however on a few special occasions there are trains that are scheduled not to stop, so you do have to check with the guard before boarding the train that it is going to stop.
Written 18 September 2019
As others have said yes. If the train has a buffet car then I think dogs are not permitted in that particular coach.
Enjoy your trip - we had a great time.
Written 3 June 2019
Showing results 1-10 of 27
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing