The park covers 320 acres of land that is home to many different species of animals, birds and reptiles. Durlston country parks woodland trail walk south west. Durlston country park nnr lighthouse road swanage dorset bh19 2jl. John mowlem 17881868, a swanageborn man, was a stonemason. Open daily serving locally sourced, home cooked meals, jurassic coast sourced drinks and tasty treats throughout the day. Dorset days out crazy culture west country events classic summer classic cottages nearby. Durlston castle was restored in 2011 to become a spectacular new facility for visitors to durlston and the jurassic coast. They keep a daily diary of what species has been spotted so youll get an idea. Take a walk with a ranger to enjoy the park in early spring. Coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland complete the picture. Durlston country park web site also has a daily news update. Durlston head is a rugged and rocky promontory that more or less makes up the bottom righthand corner of dorset. Durlston country park and national nature reserve picniq. Durlston castle built by victorian george burt houses the parks visitor centre with a collection of fossils and details of the latest wildlife.
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 seacliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland. Durlston national nature reserve houses a wide range of habitats which belong to different species. I confess to being a little cynical about country parks. Durlston castle is located on the southern side of swanage within durlston country park. Focus on wildlife and habitats, coastal geology, history or park management, and learn how these subjects relate to the site. The park, which is part of the jurassic coast world heritage site, has been owned by dorset county council since the early 1970s and is mostly open access the anvil point lighthouse and tilly whim caves are not accessible to the public. Durlston castle is an extraordinary victorian building, which with funding from the heritage lottery fund and many others, took 8 years to transform, to provide a unique and beautiful facility for visitors to durlston and the jurassic coast world heritage site. The park is open all year round and the visitor centre is open daily from april october from 10am 5pm, then from november to march weekends and school holidays only 10. The 10 best restaurants near durlston country park, swanage. Durlston castle has good facilities with toilets, a shop and nice cafe.
The view is amazing from the coastal path at durlston country park. Its located in swanage, which is often oriented in relation to the more recognizable city of bristol, 65 miles 105 kilometers away. This could easily be the caribbean especially with the heat. Once you get to durlston there are no cycle routes or bridleways, so park your cycle at the secure stands by the learning centre. Alternatively, call 01929 424443 where a recorded message will give the latest available information. Durlston country park lies on the coast south of swanage. Book holiday rentals near durlston country park swanage on tripadvisor. Durlston country park learning centre lighthouse road swanage bh19 2jl telephone 01929 427965 after 4 pm on the day if the weather is doubtful or go to. The durlston explorer bus d5 will be returning for the summer of 2019. Durlston country park durlston is a fabulous 1 hectare 280 acre countryside paradise, consisting of seacliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland. Durlston head, durston castle and durlston country park are just around the corner from swanage. In 1887, local businessman george burt built a small castle at durlston head, to be used as a restaurant for his durlston estate. Interactive displays and exhibits illustrate the natural and social history of the park, including seasonal displays, the rock and the daily wildlife diary.
Durlston country park is situated in the southeast corner of the isle of purbeck in dorset, a mile south of swanage and features 280 acres of very special countryside that is ripe for exploring. Durlston country park has a wide variety of wildlife from 250 species of recored birds, 500 different types of wildflower, 500 recored species of moths and thousands of. Good day out some spectacular views towards poole and bournemouth. Lambert, four purbeck arcadias 1998, new arcadian journal, no. Best hotels near durlston country park, swanage, england. Located on the durlston peninsular seventhwave offers contemporary dining with far reaching views towards swanage bay, the isle of wight and old harry rocks.
Durlston awarded accredited country park high quality recognised by natural england. Durlston national nature reserve is a country park along with a natural reserve, covering almost 280 acres area. Durlston country park parking spaces enter your mobile number below to receive a onetime text message with a link to download the free. Hotels near durlston country park, swanage on tripadvisor. A fossil room, audiovisual room, live wildlife cameras, monthly displays, a daily diary detailing the latest sightings, a rooftop terrace. Durlston head east car park located at durlston country park bh19 2jl tel. Throughout the year swanage and the isle of purbeck plays host to a wide array. A 280acre country park and nature reserve on the coast of the isle of purbeck, durlston country park forms part of the jurassic coast world heritage site, owned by dorset county council since the early 1970s. One of four waymarked trails through the national nature reserve at durlston country park, a victorian estate developed by businessman george burt and a haven for wildlife, as well as a place of international geological importance for its fossils and rock structures. Some cookies on this site are essential, and the site wont work as expected without them.
Durlston castle historic landscape, swanage 1001701 historic. The park covers 320 acres of land that is home to many different. Dorset county council established the area as a country park and acquired the. Female adder just after being attacked by a magpie.
There is a lighthouse at anvil point which comes within the boundary of this park. Caythorpe house is a aa 4star guest house, just 2 minutes walk from swanage beach and the town centre. Durlston castle and durlston country park, durlston, swanage, dorset 2005. Click here for further information about the park picture. The country park gently descends down to peveril point and its coastal lookout building. Heritage list entry summary for durlston castle historic landscape.
Durlston country park consists of areas of grassland and woodland strung across dramatic clifftops just to the south of swanage part of both the south west coast path and the jurassic coast. Durlston country park car park bh19 2jl finish durlston country park car park length 1. On the southeast tip of purbeck, 1 mile from swanage in dorset it is owned and managed by dorset county council and governed by the ethos of conservation for public enjoyment. The area is popular with bird watchers and people coming to watch the dolphins that swim in the seas to the south and east of the park. Durlston country park, coastal nature reserve, swanage. Inhaling the clean air at durlston country park is a great way to ease your frazzled nerves. Durlston country park, dorset ticket price timings. New forest dorchester portland christchurch durlston country park lulworth cove brownsea island corfe castle the blue pool sherborne castle situated a mile south of swanage this 280 acres of countryside is home to a huge diversity of wildlife including over 500 species of plant, over 250 species of bird and 34 species of butterfly. Look out for the quotes from shakespeare and the bible, inscribed on plaques around the estate, as well as the massive 40ton. Swanage and purbeck events for durlston country park. Restaurants near durlston country park, swanage on tripadvisor.
Explore durlston country parks 1,306 photos on flickr. Portland bill and durlston country park are brilliant locations for seeing species. I thought it would be a good idea, since i have been asking you to update me on what you have been up to, i too. Durlston country park dorset attractions west dorset leisure. As well as abundant flora and fauna durlston also offers stunning views from its coastal paths. Have you considered getting married in or hiring the belvedere. Find parking charges, opening hours, postcode and a parking map of durlston country park lighthouse road as well as other car parks, street parking, pay and display, parking meters and private garages for. Another sunny morning as i patrolled the durlston national nature reserve, everything alive with sound, colour and mov. One of four waymarked trails through the national nature reserve at durlston country park, a victorian estate developed by businessman george burt and a haven for wildlife, as well as a place of international geological importance. The 10 closest holiday rentals to durlston country park. It isnt the most easterly corner of the county, but it. Durlston country park and national nature reserve in swanage detailed. Durlston country park swanage 2020 all you need to.
The visitor centre at durlston castle is a must for all. Durlston country park is a 320acre country park and nature reserve stretching along the coast of the isle of purbeck at durlston near swanage in dorset. The bus shuttles every halfanhour the first leaving swanage at 10. The castle was designed by the weymouth architect g. Durlston country park is a 320acre country park and nature reserve stretching along the coast of the isle of purbeck at durlston near swanage in dorset, england. As you look out to sea you may spot the dolphins which are regular visitors to the area. In the basement area of the castle they also have interesting exhibitions as well. If you want to visit durlston country park, why not make the most of it and stay nearby. Durlston country park is home to a wide selection of wildlife as well as rare species of. The country park was established in the 1970s by dorset county council, and 30 years of careful management by the ranger team have resulted in a superb site that everyone can enjoy. The pdf will be generated from our live systems and may take a few minutes to download depending on how busy our servers are. Just a mile south of swanage lies durlston country park, a naturalists paradise 280acres consisting of seacliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland.
Durlston is a gateway to the jurassic coast world heritage site. Durlston, dorset appleton wildlife diary by alex white. Durlston country park national nature reserve, swanage latest update durlston country park is currently closed to vehicle drivers. It is supported by the ranger staff at the country park and by members of the wessex astronomical society. Durlston country park on instagram photos and videos. Have a holiday near durlston country park and really get to know the place, with all the time in the world to enjoy it before relaxing back at one of our 1 holiday cottages and starting all over again the next day. Durlston castle historic landscape, swanage 1001701. Durlston country park national nature reserve is the perfect place to start exploring dorsets. These cookies are set when you submit a form, login or interact with. Durlston castle stands within durlston country park, a 1. Durlston country park lighthouse road swanage dorset bh19 2jl telephone. Durlston castle at durlston country park from virtual swanage. 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. Covering over 260 acres of land,and consisting of seacliffs,with breeding seabirds,herring gull, kittiwake and guillemot with a small number of razorbill.
Durlston country park, lighthouse road, swanage, dorset, bh19 2jl telfax 01929 424443 e. Durlston country park national nature reserve visit dorset. The wildlife, countryside and people of durlston country park and nature reserve. From one side the view stretches over to old harry rocks and from the other, anvil point with its lighthouse. The great globe and tilly whim caves, durlston country. Durlston country park is a 1 hectare 280 acre site, consisting of seacliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland. Walkers, cyclists and mobility scooter users are welcome to visit but all facilities such as the castle and toilets are currently closed. Rated 5 stars with an average satisfaction rating of 96%, justpark is the uks favourite parking service. Durlston country park is home to a wide selection of wildlife as well as rare species of plant. The astronomy centre consists of a telescope housed in its own observatory dome, together with supporting facilities for talks and lectures in the closeby learning centre.