Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

About

Durlston Castle and Country Park, situated 1 mile from Swanage in Dorset, is a fabulous 320 acre countryside paradise and National Nature Reserve, consisting of sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland.

With stunning views, walking trails, the historic Great Globe, superb geology, fascinating wildlife and renovated Durlston Castle, there is always something different to see and do.

Durlston is a gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site which runs from Exmouth in the west to Old Harry Rocks at Ballard Down. We are also designated as Heritage Coast, Special Area of Conservation, Site of Special Scientific Interest, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Nature Reserve. Our offshore waters are part of the Marine Research Area.

A wonderful renovation of the Victorian Castle, fully accessible with a timeline from the car park, daily and monthly wildlife, geology, live camera images and regularly changing Exhibitions and Art in our gallery. Also home to Seventhwave Café & Restaurant and our shop (selling books, souvenirs and locally made gifts and jewellery.) Come and spend the day here. Open every day (except 25 + 26 December.)

A variety of events and exhibitions take place throughout the year. Visit our website for details.

Opening Times

2019 Opening (1 January 2019 - 31 December 2019)

* Castle & Visitor Centre Opening Times: April to 31 October - 10:00 to 17:00 and November to 31 March - 10:30 to 16:00 (except Christmas Day).
The Park is open all year.

Guide Prices

Ticket Type	Ticket Tariff
Free Admission	Free

Parking fee applies.

Website

Telephone: +44 01929 424443

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

1075 reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2019

Excellent
693
Very Good
322
Average
42
Poor
11
Terrible
8

Recent Reviews:

LisaMac68
Harrogate, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Family
Excellent for those with mobility issues
Wednesday, 11th September 2019
Took our elderly parents (dads in a wheelchair and mum can’t walk far and can only manage flat walks now). We hired two trampers (£2.50 each) and comfortably enjoyed the woodlands walk and the walk... Read full review
C123789
London, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Friends getaway
Fabulous
Saturday, 14th September 2019
A choice of various walks - woods, grasslands and coastal, some paved so fairly accessible (including to the old lighthouse), some very steep/hilly on the coast (but you can choose which you do... Read full review
PermaForenner
Hove, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Family
Great day out
Sunday, 15th September 2019
The walks are wonderful in all directions and if you stop for lunch everything is on offer and nice. Head here for walks and a food or coffee and ice cream break Read full review

Write a review

Facilities

Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users - tramper mobility scooters available for hire - please book in advance.
Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors
Guide Dogs Permitted - on lead
Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
Ramp/Level Access
Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Catering

On-Site café/restaurant
Picnic Site

Establishment Features

Dogs Accepted - on lead
Open All Year
Toilets

Event Facilities

Free Entry

Key Features

Approx length of visit - 3:00 hours
In countryside
Indoor Attraction - Castle, Visitor Centre and Art Gallery.
Open by appointment outside normal opening times
Outdoor Attraction
Smoking Some Areas

Parking & Transport

On Bus Route - the number 5 bus runs from May until September.
Parking (charge) - large car park. 2 spaces available for coaches

Payment Methods

Delta accepted
JCB accepted
Maestro accepted
MasterCard accepted
Solo accepted
Special group rates
Visa accepted

Specialist Features

Family Fun
Marketed towards children
Marketed towards families
Marketed towards senior citizens
Marketed towards student/youth

Tours and Demonstrations

Educational Visits Accepted
Guided Tours Available for Groups - charge applies. Free coach parking included in tour price.

Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Access Information

PARKING

Drop-off point for guests immediately outside the main entrance

Route from the parking area to the nearest public entrance is:

With a ramp

Parking is provided for visitors

Parking on site

ACCESS TO PUBLIC AREAS (Displays, exhibits, rides etc)

Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to:

Gift shop

Information point

Public toilet suitable for visitors who use a wheelchair

CAFETERIA / RESTAURANT

Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to the:

Meals for guests with special dietary requirements can be provided

Menus available in large print [i.e.14pt and over]

GENERAL

Clear signage throughout the attraction (e.g. colour contrasted, large lettering, use of pictograms etc.)

Contrast markings on all glass doors and all full-height windows

Effective lighting throughout the attraction for visually impaired visitors e.g. pools of light and dark areas are avoided

Information screens have visual / audible subtitles

Seating available throughout the attraction at appropriate intervals, for visitors with limited mobility

Wheelchairs provided

Free of charge

Routes / pathways throughout the attraction suitable for visitors with limited mobility

Some routes

Routes / pathways throughout the attraction suitable for wheelchair users

Some routes

This information is self-assessed; therefore we accept no liability for its accuracy. Please contact the venue for further information.

Map & Directions

View Map

Road Directions

From the west: Nearest major road is A351. Follow A351 from Wareham to Swanage, then follow Durlston Country Park signs through Swanage's one-way system and up hill to the car park.From the east: Nearest major road is the A35. Follow signs to Sandbanks and catch the car ferry over the Studland. Follow signs to Swanage, then follow Durlston Country Park signs through Swanage's one-way system and up hill to the car park.

Public Transport Directions

FROM THE WEST: the nearest mainline railway station is Wareham (on the London Waterloo to Weymouth line). Catch the number 40 or bus from Wareham Railway Station to Swanage Bus/Train Station. Transfer to the Durlston Explorer number 5 bus to the Country Park (the bus runs from 25 May until 21 September 2019).

FROM THE EAST: Catch the train to Bournemouth Railway Station then transfer to the number 50 bus to Swanage Bus/Railway Station. Transfer to the Durlston Explorer number 5 bus to the Country Park (the bus runs from 25 May until 21 September 2019).

JOURNEY PLANNING: Contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit their website: www.travelinesw.com to look up bus timetables. From 1st January 2019, calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge.

Website

Telephone: +44 01929 424443

Tuesday, 17th September 2019 - Tuesday, 17th September 2019

Sunday, 22nd September 2019 - Sunday, 22nd September 2019

Sunday, 29th September 2019 - Sunday, 29th September 2019

Events at Durlston Country Park: Purbeck Footprints Wildlife Photography WalkWildlife & Photography Walk:Purbeck Footprints: more info

Saturday, 28th September 2019 - Saturday, 28th September 2019

Events at Durlston Country Park: Meet a Moth Meet a Moth!: more info

Sunday, 22nd September 2019 - Sunday, 22nd September 2019

Events at Durlston Country Park: Great Dorset Beach CleanGreat Dorset Beach Clean: more info

Saturday, 14th September 2019 - Sunday, 6th October 2019

Events at Durlston Country Park:Durlston and Beyond ExhibitionDurlston and Beyond Exhibition: more info

Sunday, 29th September 2019 - Sunday, 29th September 2019

Events at Durlston Country Park: Walk With a RangerWalks with the Rangers: more info

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Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

About

Opening Times

Guide Prices

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

Recent Reviews:

Facilities

Accessibility

Catering

Establishment Features

Event Facilities

Key Features

Parking & Transport

Payment Methods

Specialist Features

Tours and Demonstrations

Venue Facilities

PARKING

ACCESS TO PUBLIC AREAS (Displays, exhibits, rides etc)

CAFETERIA / RESTAURANT

GENERAL

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Public Transport Directions

Related

Tuesday, 17th September 2019 - Tuesday, 17th September 2019

Monday, 23rd September 2019 - Monday, 23rd September 2019

Thursday, 26th September 2019 - Thursday, 26th September 2019

Saturday, 21st September 2019 - Saturday, 21st September 2019

Sunday, 22nd September 2019 - Sunday, 22nd September 2019

Sunday, 29th September 2019 - Sunday, 29th September 2019

Saturday, 28th September 2019 - Saturday, 28th September 2019

Sunday, 22nd September 2019 - Sunday, 22nd September 2019

Saturday, 14th September 2019 - Sunday, 6th October 2019

Sunday, 29th September 2019 - Sunday, 29th September 2019

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