Constructed by the local building contractor George Burt in 1882–83, it reused materials salvaged from demolition works in London.

The hall serves as the chamber for the current town council and has previously hosted the magistrates' court, fire brigade and citizens' advice service.

The town hall project was instigated by George Burt, as a means of instilling civic pride in the residents.

The barges required ballast to stabilise them for the return journey and Burt used material salvaged from buildings demolished in the capital for this.

Other features likely to have been brought from London by Burt are the lamp posts either side of the entrance, two sculpted heads on the north and east faces of the structure and a pediment in the council chamber with the inscription "Fear God, Honour the King".

[1] The basement was used to house the town's fire engine and a bell was installed on an external wall to be used to call the brigade into action.

One of the upstairs rooms was used as a magistrates' court, conveniently located for the police station opposite, and for this purpose the building had a mobile witness box.

The building also housed meetings of the town's Pier Company and Cottage Hospital Committee as well as lectures, property auctions and dances.

[1] Swanage Town Hall holds a number of artworks, including 1901 busts of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra by Sydney March,[9][10] a bust of the local businessman, George Burt, by an unknown artist[11] and a 1931 painting of a local scene by Henry Justice Ford.