Bournemouth Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company

03/09/2026

Are you ready for September?

As summer fades into autumn, Dorset comes alive with fantastic events. From food festivals and live music to heritage celebrations and sporting events, there's plenty happening across the county this September.

Why rush home? Stay overnight and wake up ready for another day of discovering Dorset.

Find out what's on this September 👇
www.visit-dorset.com/whats-on

28/08/2026

A four-minute ferry journey from Sandbanks to Studland opens the door to an array of wonderful nature reserves and wildlife species.

From the moment you disembark the ferry at Studland, you're among the beauty of the Purbeck Heaths Super National Nature Reserve. There's plenty of parking available so you can explore to your heart's content.

The area is a paradise for birds including the Water Rail and Dartford Warbler, often seen by Agglestone Rock, perched on top of the gorse bushes. RSPB Arne Nature Reserve is also home to diverse wildlife including the Spoonbill, White Tailed Eagle, and Silver Studded Blue Butterfly.

Take a look at our map highlighting wildlife hotspots easily accessible from the ferry.

Have you captured any of Dorset’s local wildlife in action? Share your snaps with us Bournemouth Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company

Map credit: Delphine Jones - Illustrator & Graphic Designer

Photo credits: National Trust Studland Bay, Arne RSPB reserve, Paul Wright, Mark Singleton, Annabel Sharpe, Ben Andrew, Terry Bagley

25/08/2026

The Old Harry Bar is hosting an incredible beer festival this weekend and we can’t think of a better way to spend the bank holiday!

Join Studland’s much loved village bar for four days of live music, a great selection of real ales and ciders, and delicious food.

Celebrations kickstart this Friday 28th August – find out more here: https://oldharrybar.co.uk/beer-festival-studland/

Not long now!!! 😁🍺🍻

22/08/2026

Systems Notice, 12.34pm, 22 August

We’re aware of an issue that’s temporarily stopping new vehicles from being added to our ANPR Toll system.

Our team is working on it, and we expect everything to be back to normal this afternoon.

Please try to complete your payment later today or by midnight tomorrow.

17/08/2026

A mesmerising sight as Bramble Bush Bay glides through the evening waters.

From sunrise to sunset, enjoy captivating sea views as we cross between Sandbanks, Poole, and the Isle of Purbeck.

Thanks to Corfemedia for capturing this fabulous footage! 🙏

12/08/2026

The Ferry service is running normally.

10/08/2026

Check out our August events list and start planning your summer adventures.

From food festivals and carnivals to fireworks, folk music, family fun and spectacular seaside celebrations, there's something happening across the county every week this summer.

🎆 Weekly beach and quayside fireworks in Bournemouth, Weymouth and Poole
🎶 Proms, folk festivals and live music events
🌶️ Food, cider and chilli festivals
🎡 Carnivals, fairs and agricultural shows
🚤 RNLI Lifeboat Weeks and fundraising events
🎭 Open-air cinema and circus performances

Discover even more events across Dorset 👇️
www.visit-dorset.com/whats-on

31/07/2026

NEW PAYMENT SYSTEM: We continue to do our utmost to ensure the transition to online toll payments is as smooth and straightforward as possible.

Thank you for your patience during this time. We’re pleased to hear that many ferry users are finding the new system quick and easy to use.

During the first month of operation (July 2026), we’ve been operating a soft enforcement period for late and non-payment of vehicle tolls to give ferry users time to adjust without incurring additional charges.

From 1st August 2026, formal Unpaid Toll Notices (UTNs) will be issued for any unpaid or late tolls.

Remember, you have until midnight on the day after your crossing to pay your toll - you can relax and settle up at a convenient moment. After this, a UTN will be issued for the toll amount plus a Late Toll Collection Administration Fee, initially set at £24.52.

To avoid a UTN, please ensure that you have valid Tokens on your account, have opted into automatic payment, or manually pay your toll online or via the Sandbanks Ferry app. Find out more: sandbanksferry.co.uk/pay/

27/07/2026

A shout out to the RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station as its volunteers work tirelessly to keep our communities safe amid the heatwaves and with the summer holidays upon us.

We’ve been proudly supporting the RNLI for several years, encouraging donations to help the charity towards its mission – keeping UK and Irish waters safe for everyone.

With more people heading to the coast to keep cool during the heat, the charity has been urging people to share its critical water safety advice with loved ones.

Read more here: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/june/23/rnli-urges-families-to-share-lifesaving-water-safety-advice-in-extreme-heat

16/07/2026

A scorching summer has given us some sizzling views...

Just look at those glistening waters, golden sandy beaches and sunsets...if that isn’t a beckoning call, we don’t know what is!

Share your favourite on-board snaps by tagging us Bournemouth Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company