the swanage railway trust

The charity supports the general public. The Swanage Railway Trust is a registered charity whose purpose is the environment, conservation, or heritage. It delivers its work by providing buildings, facilities, or open space. The charity is based in Swanage and operates in Dorset.

This page summarises publicly available information about the charity, including its activities, beneficiaries, and registration details, based on official records.

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Activities & Mission

The Trust's principal objectives are:1) To preserve and restore for the public benefit items of historical, architectural, engineering or scientific value in connection with railways; and2) To advance the education of the public in the history and development of railway transportation.

Fundraising

See where The Swanage Railway Trust is active and find local fundraising opportunities.

Local Authority

Dorset

Financial Information

Latest Income

£4,077,860

Latest Expenditure

£3,317,281

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 7.6%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Overall Efficiency 9.4%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Administrative Ratio 1.5%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £960,805

Charitable Activities £54,206

Other Trading £3,034,808

Investments £25,995

Other Income £2,046

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £311,410

Raising Funds £19,320

Governance £29,085

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £2,986,551

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£4,077,860	£3,317,281	£311,410	£7,427,291	£1,277,222	32 / 450
2024	£3,869,038	£3,566,219	£296,351	£6,653,439	£166,468	37 / 450
2023	£3,410,644	£3,635,181	£222,516	£6,396,243	£244,795	39 / 450
2022	£3,377,762	£2,728,992	£176,769	£6,513,748	£164,351	37 / 450
2021	£2,108,165	£3,313,389	£197,383	£6,006,335	£295,499	36 / 450