Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve
Lighthouse Road
SWANAGE
Dorset
BH19 2JL
SWANAGE
Dorset
BH19 2JL
Awards
- Visit Britain
We're Good to Go 2021
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Opening Times
| 2021 Opening (1 January 2021 - 31 December 2021) |
|---|
* The Country Park is open.
The Castle, Visitor Centre and Gift Shop is open from 10:30am until 5pm.
Toilets are available at the Castle and Learning Centre.
The Seventhwave Cafe is open daily from 9am-5pm for dining-in and takeaway - call 01929 421111 for table bookings.
Normal Castle & Visitor Centre Opening Times: 1 April to 31 October - 10:00 to 17:00 and 1 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.
TripAdvisor
- Excellent750
- Very Good338
- Average46
- Poor11
- Terrible9
Recent Reviews:
- Germaine TLangportA must!
Saturday, 10th July 2021Very well signposted and well kept park. Beautiful views. Cafe a must. Great food and drink , amazing views and friendly helpful staff. Read full review - keith47Westcliff-on-Sea, United KingdomBit disappointed.
Tuesday, 13th July 2021Firstly, we found signage to here was lacking, not easy to find. For those unfortunate to have mobility issues there is a lot of undulating of the footpaths and a little uneven in places. Not sure... Read full review - TangramUKUKA short and beautiful walk from SwanageMonday, 19th July 2021This is a lovely park that is free to enter (car parking costs but is minimal). There are loads of walks and a good cafe on the grounds. Well worth the effort. Read full review
Awards
- Dorset Tourism
Dorset Tourism Awards 2019 - Gold Award 2019 - Regional and Miscellaneous
South West England Tourism Excellence Awards - Bronze 2020 - Regional and Miscellaneous
Green Flag - 2020 2021 - Regional and Miscellaneous
WTTC Safe Travels 2021
Facilities
Other
- Gift Shop
Accessibility
- Accessible to Wheelchair Users - 2 Tramper all-terrain mobility scooters are available to hire - booking and membership with Countryside Mobility is required.
- 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
COVID-19 Response
- Clear signage
- Contactless payment possible
- COVID-19 measures in place
- Food available during COVID-19 restrictions
- Outside seating
- Pets welcome during COVID-19 restrictions
- Queuing system
Establishment Features
- Available for wedding receptions
- 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.
- Of historic, literary or architectural interest
- Open by appointment outside normal opening times
- Outdoor Attraction
- Smoking Some Areas
Parking & Transport
- 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
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 29 May until 18 September 2021).
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.
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Sunday, 15th August 2021 - Sunday, 15th August 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park: Durlston Past Guided WalkDurlston Past Guided Walk- more info
Saturday, 24th July 2021 - Thursday, 12th August 2021
Friday, 13th August 2021 - Wednesday, 1st September 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park: Summer Family TrailSummer Family Trail- more info
Wednesday, 28th July 2021 - Sunday, 15th August 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park: “Breathe”: Landscape Photography by Andy Farrer“Breathe”: Landscape Photography Exhibition by award winning photographer Andy Farrer- more info
Thursday, 5th August 2021 - Thursday, 5th August 2021
Thursday, 12th August 2021 - Thursday, 12th August 2021
Thursday, 19th August 2021 - Thursday, 19th August 2021
Thursday, 26th August 2021 - Thursday, 26th August 2021
Saturday, 14th August 2021 - Saturday, 14th August 2021
Sunday, 15th August 2021 - Sunday, 15th August 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park: ‘The Woodland Clan’ Community Workshops‘The Woodland Clan’ Community Workshops- more info
Monday, 13th September 2021 - Monday, 27th September 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park: Art Exhibition:n‘Brushes with Colour’Art Exhibition:n‘Brushes with Colour’- more info
Sunday, 19th September 2021 - Sunday, 19th September 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park:Victorian Durlston: GeorgeBurt’s Grand Plans WalkVictorian Durlston: GeorgeBurt’s Grand Plans Walk- more info
Sunday, 5th September 2021 - Sunday, 5th September 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park: Walk With a RangerWalk With a Ranger- more info
Thursday, 2nd September 2021 - Thursday, 2nd September 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park: Opening Light: Classical Music with Natalie Clein, the Carducci Quartet & GuestsOpening Light“: Classical Music with Natalie Clein, the Carducci Quartet & Guests- more info
Sunday, 2nd May 2021 - Sunday, 29th August 2021
Saturday, 4th September 2021 - Saturday, 4th September 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park:Musical Fun for Families: Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival MusiciansMusical Fun for Families: Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival Musicians- more info
Monday, 9th August 2021 - Monday, 9th August 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park:‘Cuppa and ChatCuppa and Chat- more info
Monday, 9th August 2021 - Monday, 9th August 2021
Tuesday, 10th August 2021 - Tuesday, 10th August 2021
Events at Durlston Country Park:‘The Woodland Clan’: Kids Art Workshops‘The Woodland Clan’: Kids Art Workshops- more info
Hardy's Birthplace and Thorncombe Woods, DorchesterDiscover more about Thomas Hardy's early life at the Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre. The Centre is located on the edge of Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve and a short walk from Hardy's Cottage. Thorncombe Woods is home to a great diversity of trees including mature Oaks, Sweet Chestnut and…
Seventh Wave, SwanageRestaurant, bar and café now open daily, located within Durlston Castle, Durlston Country Park. Takeaway or eat in either in our spacious dining area or outside on our large wrap around terrace, views towards the Isle of Wight and Old Harry Rocks. Dogs and muddy boots welcome. Licensed from midday.
Monday, 5th July 2021 - Wednesday, 1st September 2021
The Woodland Clan Activity TrailJoin a magical adventure trail at Durlston Country Park in Swanage and Corfe Castle. - more info
Sunday, 2nd May 2021 - Sunday, 29th August 2021
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