Life in Studland during WWII

Studland Bay is known to many as a leisure destination boasting four miles of beach, but its historical significance is often overlooked. Hear childhood memories of those living in Studland during WWII, with a guided walk of the village (booking required) from Middle Beach. Come and talk to our knowledgeable volunteers, find out about the everyday lives of the village, and the exercises that took place in Studland Bay with an exhibition at Knoll Beach. Take a self guided walk around some of our remaining WW2 remnants. Family friendly event with kids activities including clay tile making and code cracking.

Timings

Sunday 13 September:

10:30 to 12:30 for the guided walk from Middle Beach car park (booking required) / 10:00-16:00 for the exhibits and kids activities at Knoll Beach (just turn up)

Location & directions

Knoll Beach Discovery Centre, Ferry Road, Studland, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3AQ

Directions:

The route 50 more bus between Bournemouth and Swanage has a bus stop by Knoll beach. If coming by road from the Corfe or Swanage direction, Knoll Beach driveway is located on the Right, just past the Knoll House Hotel. If coming over on the chain ferry from the Bournemouth and Poole direction, Knoll Beach is just under 3miles from the Toll Booths on the left. The event will be located at the Discovery Centre, found on the left hand side as you come down the Knoll Beach driveway. Please note -If booked onto the walk, the meeting point for this is the sea mine in Middle Beach car park (Beach Road, Studland, BH19 3AX), approximately 10 to 15mins walk from Knoll Beach.

Contact on day:

National Trust Beach Office

Telephone number:

+441929450500

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Booking is required for the walk and can be done via the following events page, under the Heritage Open Days guided walk - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay/events

Booking website:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay/events

Booking opens:

01 Jun 2026 10:00 AM

Booking closes:

09 Sep 2026 12:00 PM

Accessibility details

Walk is on mixed and uneven terrain, including tracks and a section of road, approximately 2km and 2 hours. Accessible parking at Middle Beach carpark and accessible toilet. At Knoll Beach, there is accessible parking, accessible toilet and a changing places. The event is on a decked area at the Discovery Centre, accessed by a short gravel path or area of grass.

Additional information

The guided walk must be booked. Minimum age 14 for the walk and under 18's must be supervised by an adult. The walk goes along tracks and road, with mixed and uneven terrain throughout.

Max number of people:

15

Estimated duration:

2 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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