Explore Swanage with new 'Lesser Known Swanage' guide for 2014

Lesser Known Swanage was first published in 2009. Revised and updated for 2014, along with other books in the Lesser Known series – Weymouth and Lyme Regis – it takes a contemporary look at the town.

Learn about:

·         the history of the stone trade. Purbeck stone is the cause of much local pride and quarrying goes back to Roman times;

·         Durlston Country Park, with the Lighthouse, newly renovated Durlston Castle, dolphin spotting, flora and fauna;

·         Swanage Railway – past and present;

The busy engine working area and turntable. A special viewing area over the bridge allows you to see the action (walk up Gilbert Road, parallel with the track, cross the bridge, then through the gate on the right)

·         behind-the-scenes interviews with local people (from sailors to Lifeboat crew, fishermen to Purbeck Producers);

Local fishermen work out of huts along Peveril Point Road, next to the council Boat Park. Most of the red buoys in Swanage Bay are either moorings or lobster/crab pots

·         practical information, including chapters on regular events, local fare, exploring, family fun and other activities;

 ·         six self-guided walks and maps exploring the Square, High Street, Peveril Point, Mill Pond and hills around Swanage;

Designed to take out and explore the backstreets with, hopefully families will enjoy the quiz questions in the walks and day-trippers will find plenty to inspire them to come back and enjoy this friendly seaside town, with its wealth of hidden gems. Even locals will discover new things.

  

Lesser Known Swanage has 144 pages, fully illustrated in colour, priced £9.99. It and other Lesser Known guides to Weymouth and Lyme Regis are available from Roving Press (www.rovingpress.co.uk). If you like exploring Dorset, you'll love our books.

Copyright Julie Musk 2014