Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve
The Castle is now the hub of the activities at Durlston. This restored building, completed in November 2011, is a must for all, not just for the amazing restoration that has taken place, but it is also the Visitor Centre, offering a wide range of exciting interactive displays and exhibitions. Also within the building is the seventhwave café and restaurant, a shop, gallery with different exhibitions every month, plus spectacular views from the Belvedere and roof terraces.
Wandering around the Castle you will also come across artwork including the Timeline (4 billion years of earth's history), Diversity (the species of Durlston engraved on glass) and the Walk of Words (200 sponsored engraved Purbeck limestone blocks).
Despite being on four levels the Castle is easily accessible for all, with lifts and gentle ramps for all with less mobility A Ranger is always on hand to help you get the most of your visit.
The Castle is open every day (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day) between:
10.00am - 5.00pm (1st April - 1st November)
10.30am - 4.00pm (1st November - 31st March)
The countryside of the Park is open all year round, from sunrise to sunset. The Timeline serpentine path that winds its way gently down from the car park to the Castle takes you on a journey through time, via stone monoliths and inscriptions carved and designed by artist Gary Breeze.
Access For All Durlston is a hilly cliff top site but many areas are accessible to less mobile visitors and families with child buggies - please call for details, as much can depend on the ground conditions.
Durlston has two 'Tramper' buggies for loan - please phone for more details or to make a booking Be aware that some areas are not suitable for a standard electric buggy, or the Tramper. The Castle is fully accessible, and has toilets for disabled visitors. Some picnic tables are wheelchair accessible - ask for details.
Dogs are welcome in the Park and the Castle, but please:
Keep them on a lead or under close control outside. Clear up after them. We have provided 9 bins to help you. Keep them on a lead in the Castle and Café We have placed water bowls on the terrace outside the Castle for your dogs to enjoy a drink.
Dog Features
- Off Lead walk
- Poo Bins available
Human Features
- Child Friendly
- Free Entry
- On-site Cafe
- Picnic Area
Contact Details
Location
Lighthouse Road, Swanage BH19 2JL, United Kingdom
Durlston country park has loads of space to walk, different routes including a woodland walk and cliff top route. There's a lighthouse on top of a cliff that you can go and see the outside with a cliff top route leading to it and a much smoother road route (no cars allowed) that you can use the Trampers on.
What really made this day special for us was the access for all scheme they have in place. This country park is very up and down, rough terrain, steep hills etc. Just all-round very difficult for those of us with movement disabilities and I really wasn't looking forward to the pain due to head my way during and after the walk. Having looked on their website on our way there I found the info for their access for all scheme. The scheme has provided the country park with two 'Trampers'. The bes way to describe them is battery powered 4x4 all terrain mobility scooters!
To use them you need to sign up to the scheme, which the castle/visitor center had the forms printed already, pay for a 2 week trial subscription which cost about £2 (one off fee) or a years subscription which was £10 (one off fee) and then have a mini show-round of how the Tramper works. You do not need to show any proof you are disabled. They provide you with a map of the routes which also shows you where the Tramper can safely drive and where it cant. The only place was along the top of the cliff to the lighthouse, instead you can take the longer but smooth road route, and up to the globe monument. They are a one person only scooter and you can't take children or dogs on them with you or hold their leads yourself due to safety. They are fast! and have different speed settings so you can pootle along or whip round the park as you wish. Despite us arriving late in the day, they had one available to use although it's recommended to book if you really need one. Honestly it gave our family a day out that we all got to enjoy. Our family and dogs love long walks and exploring new places, I do too but I have mobility issues and while I can walk, it's painful and very slow. There was many places where I would have seriously struggled to continue on, the Tramper took it in it's stride and went up and over like a 4x4 car on a mountain. Our family and dogs got to enjoy the entire park, I got to stay out of pain and enjoy it all myself for once. Without the Tramper I'd be surprised if we'd managed more than 1 route, with it we managed 4!