By the sea, The Knoll House offers a warm welcome with full breakfast, a cozy terrace, and lush gardens. Relax in the sauna or steam room, enjoy some friendly competition at the tennis court or arcade/game room. With an indoor pool and outdoor pool plus helpful staff praised by previous guests.
Studland Beach and Nature Reserve - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Knoll Beach - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
Studland South Beach - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
Swanage Beach - 7 min drive - 6.5 km
Dorset and East Devon Coast - 7 min drive - 2.1 km
Getting around
Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.) - 48 min drive
Wareham Station - 14 min drive
Swanage Herston Halt Station - 14 min drive
Swanage Station - 16 min drive
Restaurants
‪Grand Hotel - ‬6 min drive
‪Rick Stein Sandbanks - ‬9 min drive
‪Crows Nest Inn - ‬5 min drive
‪The Purbeck House Hotel and Louisa Lodge - ‬7 min drive
‪Bankes Arms - ‬17 min walk
About this property
The Knoll House
The Knoll House is a great choice for your beach stay in Swanage. The outdoor pool and indoor pool provide a splash of fun, and guests can also take advantage of an outdoor tennis court and a sauna. The restaurant is a great spot for a bite to eat and cold drinks are served at the bar/lounge. A steam room, a terrace, and a garden are other highlights. The helpful staff and beach location get great marks from fellow travelers.
At a glance
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Hotel size
70 rooms
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Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
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Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
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Children
No cribs (infant beds)
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Pets
Pets allowed (dogs only)*
Service animals welcome
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free onsite self parking
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Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Free full breakfast each morning 8 AM–10 AM
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
Traveling with children
Playground
Children's menu
What to do
Beach nearby
Working away
Meeting room
Conference space
Services
24-hour front desk
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Facilities
Garden
Terrace
Library
An outdoor pool
An indoor pool
Arcade/game room
Outdoor tennis court
Sauna
Steam room
Banquet hall
Room amenities
Be entertained
Flat-screen television
Digital TV channels
Home comfort
Heating
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Sleep well
Blackout drapes/curtains
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Rainfall showerhead
Shower only
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Towels
Toilet paper
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Phone
More
Daily housekeeping
Special features
Dining
Onsite venue - This restaurant specializes in British cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A children's menu is available.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Spa access is available for an extra charge of GBP 10 per person per day
Hot tub access is available for an extra charge of GBP 10 per person per day
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of GBP 20 per pet, per night
Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)
Pool access is available for an extra charge of GBP 10 per person per day
Pool access available from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Policies
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher on site.
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Also known as
Knoll House Hotel Swanage
Knoll House Swanage
The Knoll House Hotel
The Knoll House Swanage
The Knoll House Hotel Swanage
Frequently asked questions
Is there a pool at The Knoll House?
Yes, there's an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. Guests have pool access from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Are pets allowed at The Knoll House?
Yes, dogs are welcome. There's a charge of GBP 20 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.
Is parking offered on site at The Knoll House?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Knoll House?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Contactless check-in and check-out are available.
Is there an onsite casino at The Knoll House?
No, this hotel doesn't have a casino, but Genting Casino Bournemouth (20-min drive) is nearby.
What is there to do at The Knoll House and nearby?
Practice your swing on the tennis courts. Enjoy a swim in the indoor and outdoor pools after a day out and about. The Knoll House also has a sauna and a steam room, as well as an arcade and a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near The Knoll House?
Yes, there's an onsite restaurant that offers British cuisine.
What's the area around The Knoll House like?
The Knoll House is a short 1-minute walk from Studland Beach and Nature Reserve and 8 minutes' walk from Knoll Beach. The local area is walkable and popular for its beaches.
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Reviews
The Knoll House Reviews
8.6
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
8.6
Cleanliness
8.4
Amenities
9.0
Staff & service
7.6
Property conditions & facilities
Guest review summary
What guests liked
The hotel's location near the beach is excellent, with beautiful Studland beach just a short walk away. (76 reviews)
Breakfast was consistently described as good, plentiful, and satisfying with a good choice to choose from. (90 reviews)
The outdoor pool was a highlight, being heated, clean, and a great place to relax and unwind. (56 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Popular mentions
Service staff
Location
Room
Food
Breakfast
View
Beach
Restaurant
Ambience
Walking
Reviews
Verified
6/10 Good
Apr 4, 2026
Breakfast was good. Help yourselves hot and cold buffet, which worked well.
Bedroom was very dated, with mismatched furniture.
Suzanne
Suzanne, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 27, 2025
Very friendly staff, excellent food and a beautiful location makes for a delightful break.
Sally
Sally, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Mar 3, 2026
Friendly staff. Family and dog friendly. Very clean but some areas and furniture quite worn.
Howard
Howard, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 21, 2025
Superb location, great room which was nice and clean, loved the history of the place
Les
Les, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Mar 20, 2026
Nice character and quirky but very tired property. Room was a good size and the bed was comfortable.
The bathroom was a trip back in time and whilst functional, it needs replacing.
The main hotel was comfortable and very relaxed and extremely dog friendly, which suited many guests.
The food and service was very good.
Charles
Charles, 2-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Apr 14, 2026
Had a good stay. However i found the bed to be very hard and the property to be very dated.
Everything was very clean, but the 1st impression wasn't what i had hoped for.
The location is wonderful, a great beach within a few minutes walk. Staff were all lovely.
However for me it is time to renevate, starting with the rooms and their furniture.
I did not try the extended facilities such as the spa, so can't comment.
Simon
Simon, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Oct 26, 2025
Lovely quiet traditional hotel in a beautiful location
Donna
Donna, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 21, 2025
Lovely stay calm
and peaceful environment
Clean room
Lisa
Lisa, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 19, 2025
Another lovely stay at Knoll House.
Staff and service were professional, supporting and understanding of our special requests; there was no fuss or challenges which made the weekend a relaxing break
harriet
harriet, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 12, 2025
excellent room, took our dog, bed and breakfast only. Great location which is why we keep coming back - hotel quirky and a faint whiff of 'fawlty towers' about it - but in a good way. fabulous.
NICOLA
NICOLA, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 22, 2025
We love coming to the knoll house, it is clean and quirky and has a lot of history attached to it. The food is lovely. It’s very dog friendly beautiful Studland beach is across the road. It has a small pool and Swanage is five minutes drive down the road. It’s a very relaxing place to be.
Vanessa
Vanessa, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 12, 2025
2 bed suite - excellent facilities - used the spa, bed and breakfast, close to beach, bar and restaurant on site. Quirky. Great staff who go the extra mile.
NICOLA
NICOLA, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 26, 2025
The hotel was amazing and the staff were friendly and helpful. The facilities are an added bonus such as the games room, bar, pools and restaurant.
Stayed in a family room which was great, only one door to the hall though the kids could reach the lock. The rooms were clean and comfortable. Shower room was very nice, clearly new, great shower! lovely products and towels. Beds were comfy and the room was very nearly blacked out by the curtains. The games room was fun, there is a separate room for younger children with TV and DVDs as well as books and toys. Indoor pool was perfect for the kids, hot tub wasn't working well but the sauna and steam were lovely for a short relax. Pirate ship play area was a hit! Food was enjoyable and staff friendly. Grateful that is was quiet as that suits us well. Path to the beach is bit rocky and uneven, best to walk via the road, short walk (few mins) car park is National Trust so pricey if not a member. Beach is fab. Cinema room was good. Plenty of spaces to sit around the hotel inside or out. Great to be able to take the dog with us. Overall would recommend - its not 5 star but its a lovely place for a short break esp with kids.
Rachel
Rachel, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 27, 2025
Iconic location
STUART
STUART, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 26, 2025
The restaurant and bar service was excellent. The food of high quality and arrive promptly and hot. Everywhere was clean. Views fantastic though in places the decor and gadgets were tired.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 27, 2025
Exceptionally dog friendly and really great walks nearby
dylan
dylan, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 16, 2025
Lovely stay
We had a very comfortable stay here.
The staff were friendly and helpful.
Our room was very comfortable and the shower was good.
We enjoyed a good breakfast.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 28, 2025
Very easy comfortable stay
Verified traveler
4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 5, 2025
Great Hotel, lovely staff. Wonderful location.
Mr Andrew
Mr Andrew, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 23, 2025
Great stay
Lovely old world hotel in a fabulous location. Staff all wonderful, helpful and courteous, will definitely return.
Verified traveler
2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Jul 17, 2025
Great Location
Peaceful and relatively quiet stay in a stunningly beautiful area.
Michael
Michael, 7-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 14, 2025
Great facilities, outdoor pool was excellent, staff all very warm & welcoming.
Graham
Graham, 1-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Jan 1, 2026
Friendly staff, very pet friendly. All a bit run down and needing investment. Pool quite small. Steam room not working. Sauna was good, as was the jacuzzi. Limited dinner menu and limited beer in draft. Could do with more options for breakfast and more healthy choices. Great location.