Glamping at Swanage by PitchingIt

Swanage has a sandy beach and shallow waters for paddling close to the shore; the beach is also popular for paddleboarding, fishing and snorkelling. You can follow the South West Coast Path (which runs along the seafront) to explore the Purbeck Heritage Coast, or catch a ride on the Swanage Steam Railway. The village of Corfe Castle (10 minutes’ drive) is dominated by the atmospheric hilltop ruins of a fortress built in medieval times and destroyed during the 17th-century English Civil War. From here you can also take in far-reaching views of the Purbeck Hills and the Isle of Wight. Take a stroll around the Blue Pool (20 minutes), looking for the most Instagrammable spots along the shoreline of this forest-fringed lake. Keep an eye (and an ear) out for assorted warblers, plus sika deer and wild ponies, then take a load off your feet in the tea room, where you can sample locally crafted ice creams and beers.