before you set sail —
Information
The practical bits — how to get to Swanage, where it actually is, and where to put the car. Anything we haven’t covered, drop us a line.
good to know —
Your questions
How do I get to Swanage?
From London and the east: M3, then the A31 through the New Forest to Ringwood, picking up the A350 and finally the A351 into Swanage. From Bristol and the north: head for Bath, then the A36 and A350 down through Shaftesbury and Blandford before joining the A351. From the Midlands: take the A34 past Winchester to the M27, then follow the New Forest route. For satnavs, aim for BH19 1DD.
By train or bus?
The nearest mainline station is Wareham, on the London Waterloo line. From there the Breezer bus runs into Swanage — or take the scenic option: the Swanage Railway steam service, which drops you a ten-minute walk from The Mowlem.
Where exactly is Swanage?
Right at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast in south Dorset, on its own sheltered bay. It’s about 25 miles from Bournemouth and Poole, 55 from Southampton, 80 from Bristol and 130 from London — and the last stretch past Corfe Castle is the best bit of the journey.
Where can I park?
The Mowlem is on Shore Road, right on the seafront. The nearest car parks are Mermond Place for short stays and Broad Road for the whole day — both pay-and-display and a few minutes’ walk away.
Quick message
A short note — we’ll reply by email.
The Venue
The Mowlem. On the Swanage seafront.
Our home for the day — one seafront building, two stages, a two-minute walk from the beach.
The Mowlem, on the Swanage seafront.
A seafront landmark since 1863.
The Mowlem opened in 1967, replacing the Victorian Mowlem Institute that John Mowlem built on the seafront in 1863, overlooking the bay. It stands at the junction of two of Swanage’s main shopping streets and runs a year-round programme of film and live theatre — local schools and societies alongside visiting professional productions.
For one day this November, the whole building is ours.
- Two stages under one roof
- Right on the seafront
- Shops, cafés & bars on site
- In the heart of town
- Two minutes from the beach
The Mowlem, Shore Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1DD
be there —
Get tickets
One day, two stages, twelve crews — Sat 21 Nov 2026 at The Mowlem. Tickets are sold through the venue’s own box office.
Buy via The MowlemAdult £14 · Under 18s £7 — all tickets include a £1 venue commission