Swanage Pier Trust

The pier stretches out into Swanage Bay like an old friend who's been there forever - which it has, more or less. Built in 1879, this Victorian iron structure is the real deal: not a modern rebuild, but the actual thing, complete with peeling paint and that slightly creaky feeling underfoot that tells you it's survived a lot of weather.

Walking its length gives you proper 360-degree views of the Dorset coast. On a clear day you'll spot Durlston Head to the south, and the shale cliffs curve away on either side. The whole thing is about a quarter-mile long, so it's not exhausting - kids will manage it fine, though there's not masses to actually do once you're out there beyond looking at the sea and the occasional fisherman. It's free to walk on, which helps.

The Trust runs it now, which means it's been saved from the steady decline that claimed so many British piers. There's a small cafe on the landward end, though don't expect anything fancy. Real appeal here is simple: it's a genuine Victorian pier in a working seaside town, not theme-park sanitised. Worth 20 minutes of your time if you're staying at Swanage Bay View or any of the nearby parks like Ulwell. Go when the light's decent - late afternoon usually beats midday when it's crowded with tourists and the sun's harsh.