File:Sandbanks Chain Ferry (5887171038).jpg

Photo taken on a rail and bus circular trip to Swanage on 29 June 2011. I decided to break my journey at Sandbanks to photograph the ferry come in having come across on the bus 20 minutes earlier.

Operated by The Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company, this photo was taken from the slipway at Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset. This connects the Isle of Purbeck and the Poole/Bournemouth conurbation thus avoiding a 25 mile detour by road. The present ferry seen is "Bramble Bush Bay" which entered service in 1994 and as with previous vessels are chain operated. In addition to cars and commercial vehicles, the ferry transport a regular double-deck bus service. The route 50 between Swanage and Bournemouth Station operated by Wilts and Dorset with frequencies of up to 20 minutes (the same as the ferry) in peak summer periods. The route is branded the "Purbeck Breezer" with a distinct livery and branded bus stops on two routes out of Swanage, the other being 40 from Poole via Wareham. Certain services are operated by open top deck buses. Well worth a journey if ever visiting Swanage, the first part of the ride is climbing through some narrow, hilly road through Studland. Once the bus leaves the ferry, it takes a route through an area of some very expensive looking properties before terminating at Bournemouth station.