This was a fantastic, well-appointed property, in a quiet back street in central Swanage. The owners were really easy to deal with, and there was an amazing pinboard/map/folder combination of information in the hallway of the property.
250m to the beach. 500m to the Pier.
The property had everything we needed for 3 adults and 2 kids (Inc washing machine and drier after a particularly muddy walk to Chapman's Pool).
The main living space is great, centred around a large dining table with double height ceiling.
The kids commandeered the mezzanine for iPad watching which left the main lounge and dining area for adult usage. We made use of the HDMI for the main TV and the amazing Wifi for evening TV watching via Chromecast.
If you don't have kids and actually want to go out in the evenings (!) the property is ideally located for pubs and restaurants.
Even so, we took advantage of Castaways for a family meal out and Fish Plaice for a Friday night takeaway feast. Both 2 mins walk!
We have visited Swanage before and would recommend for young families - there is enough to do in the town and by the beach (with a nice combination of shops and activities, not just arcades) but plenty to do in the locality as well.
If you are walkers, we recommend the Old Harry's Rocks walk (especially the "double view" of Poole Harbour one way and Swanage Bay the other, on Ballard's Down). Early morning runs along the beach also a highlight of our stay for one member of the family.