Swanage is situated at the end of a peninsular and is bounded on three sides by water. To the north is the world's second largest natural harbour Poole Harbour. Swange Bay is to the east whilst on the southern side is the English Channel. Most of the fourth side is a river - so we are not truly an island at all.

The main town, Swanage, was originally a small fishing village with the added benefit of a sought after natural resource of stone, Purbeck Marble has been shipped out of Swanage for hundreds of years and most of the cathedrals in England contain some Purbeck Marble.

The Globe at Durlston Country park

Much of the local stone was sent to London and used in many of the public works and paving of the capital city. The returning boats needed ballast so many statues and artefacts came back in the hold of the boats. In fact, so much came back that Swanage has been referred to as 'Little London by the Sea'. See our book page for details of David Lewer's book Curiosities of Swanage - or Little London by the Sea'. Swanage contains Wellington's Clock Tower, the facade of the Mercers Hall, Cheapside, numerous bollards, statues. Most of this was at the instigation of John Mowlem, a local stone mason who went to London and made his fortune. The well known civil construction company Mowlem's came from this humble beginnings. He was responsible for bringing piped water, sewerage and a railway to Swanage