Blog

Swanage Railway

All aboard the Swanage steam railway…

February 13, 2018

Harking back to a time gone by, the much-loved Swanage Railway has posted its events for the coming year. With both steam and diesel powered units pulling the vintage carriages there’s set to be many fans of the railway – old and new – reliving a past that is rapidly beginning to fade from many…

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Ballard Down

Walking over Ballard Down

February 9, 2018

  This week we enjoyed some super sunny February days and took advantage of the dry weather to walk over Ballard Down and then via Old Harry Rocks to Studland. What a glorious day, and the views from on top of the down are amazing. Yes, it was cold, but then what do you expect…

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Martin’s opened his B&B

November 16, 2017

Martin Jones’s new B&B in Carmarthenshire opens on 17th November 2017. You can check out the facilities, rooms and surrounding area at Bryn Hebog’s website (www.brynhebog.co.uk) and make an online booking. Or phone 01267 290289 or email info@brynhebog.co.uk. For up-to-the-minute news and photographic views of the Bryn Hebog you can also visit and like its Facebook page…

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Martin’s move to Wales

September 21, 2017

Glenlee’s Martin Jones will soon be opening Bryn Hebog B&B in Lower Penddaulwyn, Capel Dewi, SA32 8AY. Set in the beautiful Carmarthenshire countryside, it’s close to the National Botanic Garden of Wales amongst many attractions. Follow this Facebook page for more details: www.facebook.com/brynhebog

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Torbay Palm

Fabulous Torbay Palm

June 4, 2017

Guests often comment on Glenlee’s pretty front garden, which, we have to admit, we’re quite proud of ourselves. Juxtaposed with the lovely background of Beach Gardens over the road, with its putting greens, tennis courts and bowling green, we believe our front garden makes a super spot to relax. The Torbay Palm, which a few years…

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Christmas cactus

Dazzling shower of belated Christmas blooms

February 5, 2017

Only a month and a half late, our Christmas cactus finally puts on a show. Bloomin’ typical. Actually, this plant has a habit of being late. We’re just hoping the dazzling display is still going when we open up for guests again on February 24th. It certainly brightens up our guest lounge. Visitors will also have…

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Swanage to host Paddleboard European Championship

February 1, 2017

Just heard that Swanage has been chosen to host  the N1SCO Paddleboard European Championships over the weekend of June 10 and June 11, 2017. Apparently, Swanage was chosen for its sheltered waters, golden sands and town centre full of character. N1SCO is the largest stand-up paddleboard racing class in the UK. Alex Tobutt from Naish in the UK commented: “Swanage bay is…

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Secret picnic spot

Secret picnic spot

August 8, 2016

Hidden from view of passers-by, this glorious secret picnic spot was something of a discovery. But where is it exactly? Well, the clue is in the picture. The location is just to the north of Durlston Castle. Once upon a time a rough track led over the stone bridge and down to the coastline, but landslips have…

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Garden flowers

Spring colour

April 27, 2016

April showers are sometimes a hazard of this time of year but the Glenlee front garden is bloomin’ colourful right now. Daffodils and tulips and myriad other plants are bursting open with a dazzling rainbow-like display. And some days it’s even been warm enough for guests to relax on the patio and enjoy the tranquil scene. Later in the…

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Corfe Castle

Walking in sunshine – Corfe Castle to Cocknowle

April 19, 2016

This afternoon we parked in the free car park near Corfe Castle and walked to Cocknowle. After a gloomy start to the day the sun really came out in the afternoon and we were treated to some stunning views. The highlight was walking back along the ridge and seeing for many, many miles in all directions.…

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Festive flurry

December 4, 2021

The sun shone today for Swanage and Purbeck Rotary‘s Christmas Market, back after last year’s Covid-enforced absence. A chilly breeze didn’t deter visitors and locals from checking out the stalls filling Station Road and Commercial Road, which were closed to traffic. Along the seafront, Artisans On The Beach was in full swing, with hand-crafted items…

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Punch and Judy on Swanage beach

That’s the way to do it!

August 26, 2021

Are you sitting comfortably, children? Then Mr Punch will begin. And so the show starts, another of the thrice daily performances on Swanage beach this summer that have been keeping youngsters entertained, parents bemused and passers-by recalling the days when nearly all British seaside holiday spots boasted a Punch and Judy booth. The warm-up music’s…

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Room 8 en suite

April 21, 2021

The en suite in Glenlee’s Room 8 on the ground floor has been revamped with a walk-in shower rather than a bath. While we accept not everyone will be pleased, we felt it makes sense for guests who ask for a ground floor room and have difficulty stepping into a bath. Meanwhile, we’ve replaced the…

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It’s tulip time

April 17, 2021

It’s the time of year when Glenlee’s garden simply bursts with colour – hot on the foot of the dazzling daffs come the sizzling shades of tulips with a multitude of varieties. Here are some snaps of our front garden this weekend. Enjoy!

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Swanage in 1925

October 27, 2020

Blast from the past: Swanage from the air in 1925, with the bandstand clearly visible, and fields where Glenlee was build about a decade later.

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Pier Head progress

June 16, 2020

It’s taken a long time to get to this stage but at last construction of the new Pier Head development in Swanage is well under way. For years the site was a blot on the landscape, though latterly it had sported an interesting mural by Nina Camplin, who specialises in trompe l’oeil. The new development, with a…

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Bursting into bloom

April 8, 2020

It’s that fabulous time of year when the front garden at Glenlee starts to spring into life. Yes, the daffodils looked great a few weeks ago. But once the tulips and other bulbs burst forth you can really see the season’s about to take off. Except it’s all a bit different this year, with no…

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Looking to 2021

April 7, 2020

We’re starting to fill up next year’s diary (up to a rolling 12 months in advance). During the coronavirus shutdown, this year’s rates are being held for new bookings in 2021 or any deferred from this year. Book direct via our website or call us on 01929 425794. Stay safe!

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Flying Scotsman (photo: Liam Barnes)

Flying Scotsman to visit Swanage Railway

January 23, 2019

Claim a FREE bottle of prosecco when you stay at Glenlee – see below Great excitement for steam train enthusiasts as news broke that the Flying Scotsman will run on the Swanage Railway. It will operate five services a day each way non-stop between Swanage and Norden from 22 to 26 March, 2019. So to…

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Walkies!

October 24, 2018

A walk up to Durlston Castle from Swanage is always a delightful experience, but none more so than when you can borrow a fun companion such as Howie from friends to enhance the experience. This little chap made our day recently, especially when we noticed a few idiosyncrasies in his behaviour. Ninety per cent of the…

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