Typical Swanage steepness
General
About 4hrs drive from Ipswich, just beyond the large towns of Poole & Bournemouth the Swanage cliffs (part of the world-heritage Jurassic Coast) are in the 'Isle of Purbeck', a large area of beaches, chalk/limestone ridges and heathland full of nature reserves & a number of tourist attractions. This is a family-friendly area.
Activities
Climbing
If you like your climbing steep and juggy then Swanage, one of the best limestone sea-cliff areas in the UK (second only to Pembroke some would say), is a place to put high on your ticklist. The majority of the traditional climbing is in the VS to low E grades although there are a handful of crags with easier (and harder) grades. Also most of the crags, including the classic easier crag of Subluminal (see below) are abseil access only.
The climbing itself is in often spectacular positions above the sea, and the Jurassic Coast rock whilst sometimes a little sandy and occasionally loose (particularly at the top of Boulder Ruckle) also runs to enormous jugs, often in the form of fossilised corals, sponges and the odd ammonite.
Swanage is also home to a handful of quite reasonable single-pitch sport crags, although Portland (1hr west of Swanage) has substantially more and better sport options.
Fof Diff-HS routes Subluminal and Cattle Troughs are the two best crags. Cattle Troughs is the only one of easier crags that doesn't require abseil access, although the approach path is pretty exposed! In the VS-E3 range you're spoilt for choice with the big cliffs of Boulder Ruckle the biggest draw, although Guillemot Ledge is another great spot. Guillemot is bit more friendly than the Ruckle with a shorter abseil and much less loose rock. If you're after something a little more extreme you can always go to Blackers Hole to try Laughing Arthur, 'Probably the biggest roof climb in Britain' at a mighty E8 6c.
For sport climbing have a look at places like Hedbury
Trad Health Warning: The combination of tides, abseil access and some loose rock make most of the trad crags at Swanage 'serious' in one way or another. If you're intending to go climbing there, the ability for at least one of the climbing pair to deal with these hazards is highly recommended! In particular, the ability to abseil in and prussik back out again if necessary is useful for both climbers. Helmet essential.
Places To Stay
The whole area is well served with campsites and Swanage also has a couple of Hostels (YHA & The Auberge). The IMC usually stays at Tom's Field campsite at Langton Matravers just west of Swanage. If that's full then, during summer months, Acton Field a few hundred metres west of Tom's Field along the B3069 is another option.
Eating & Drinking
In Langton Matravers the local is the Kings Arms, half a mile from Tom's Field campsite. This serves good local beer and hearty pub grub - recommended. In Swanage itself there are plenty of options from Fish and Chips to sit down curry & Italian. Also plenty of Cafes for breakfast if that's your thing.
About 30 mins walk from the camping, in Worth Matravers, is the Square and Compass, a fabulous little pub that usually has good live music on a Saturday night and a fossil museum in the back. Well worth a visit, though the only food it does is pasties.
Weather
See the Met Office site
Shopping
Jurassic Outdoor on the High Street in Swanage stocks a small selection of climbing gear shop.