An older pier, opened 1860, was used by local quarries to ship stone, but it fell into decline with only its timber piles remaining today.

[2] The Trust took on the task of raising over £1,000,000 needed to carry out major restoration work on the pier's piles, timbers and ironwork fittings.

Small scale ferry services run daily throughout the summer season, mainly to Poole Quay.

[8] The site has easy access from adjacent car parks, and it has a nearby dive shop.

The exhibition houses a small aquarium, which showcases the species of marine life that can be found under the pier.

[12] The BBC's adaptation of EM Forster's novel Howards End (2017) used Swanage Pier as a location.