Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve
Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve
Durlston Country Park NNR
Lighthouse Road
Swanage
Dorset
BH19 2JL
England
Website
Telephone
01929 424443
Durlston Country Park, National Nature Reserve and Castle, situated 1 mile from Swanage in Dorset, is a fabulous 280 acre countryside paradise, consisting of sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland.
With stunning views, walking trails, the historic Great Globe, superb geology, fascinating wildlife there is always something different to see and do.
Durlston Castle features interactive exhibits for all the family about the wildlife and geology of Durlston and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, while the Fine Foundation Gallery, within the Castle, host an everchanging series of art, craft, scientific or historical exhibtions and a varied programme of performance and other events.
Venue Type:
Environmental or ecological centre, Heritage site, Garden, parklands or rural site, Historic house or home, Gallery, Artist studio or collective
Additional info
An offroad wheelchair and Tramper electric buggies are available for less mobile visitors - to book or for more information, please call 01929 424443, visit www.durlston.co.uk or email info@durlston.co.uk
Exploring the Wonders of World Heritage: Exhibition
- 14 January — 5 February 2015 *on now
Discover how the Jurassic Coast fits into a global family of the most amazing cultural and natural sites on Earth, with an exhibition curated by the Jurassic Coast Team .
In the Fine Foundation Gallery, Daily: 10.30am-4.00pm
Admission: Free
Suitable for
- Any age
Website
BOOKS .....but not as we know them!': Purbeck Literary Festival Exhibition
- 11 — 24 February 2015
The art of the folded, sculptured and handmade book. An exhibition of artworks, handprinted and literary items by local and invited artists in support of the second Purbeck Literary Festival.
In the Fine Foundation Gallery
Daily: 11.00-4.00pm
Suitable for
- Any age
Outline South West' & 'Postcards from the Path'
- 2 — 19 March 2015
An exhibition of artwork produced by Anita Reynolds whilst walking the South West Coast Path, along with pieces by four guest artists in response to the coastal path. During the exhibition there will be opportunities to take part in special art workshops with the five artists. Supported by Villages in Action
In the Fine Foundation Gallery: 10.30-4.00pm daily.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Free of Charge
Durlston Wedding Fair
- 22 March 2015 10:30am-3pm
Durlston Castle Wedding Fair. A great chance to explore this beautiful venue, meet the suppliers who can help with your big day and discuss your ideas with our Wedding Planner.
Fine Foundation Gallery
Suitable for
- Any age
Delinquent Dinosaurs and Fantastic Fossils!
- 2 April 2015 2-4pm
Family activity. Discover Durlston's prehistoric past, with games and activites.
Booking Essential!
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
£3.00.
Bird Sounds in Close Up!: Guided Walks
- 12 April 2015 10-11:30am
In Autumn: Using a directional microphone, join a Ranger to listen to some of the huge variety of migrants passing over Durlston as migration gets underway.
In Spring: Listen to Durlston's spring birdlife and more, using a directional microphone and find out how and why birds sing.
Booking essential. £3.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3.00 per person.
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Meet a Moth
- 21 March 2015 10:30-11:30am
Come along as we open last night's moth trap to enjoy the beauty and strangeness of these creatures of the night.
Meet at Durston Castle: Donations welcome.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3.00 per person.
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Go Wild at Durlston!
- 18 February 2015 11:30am-3pm
- 1 April 2015 11:30am-3pm
- 8 April 2015 11:30am-3pm
Family activities. Drop in to the Learning Centre any time between 11.30 and 3 to take part in craft activities, games or experiments about wildlife or geology. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Donations welcome.
Every Wednesday during the school holidays.
Meet at Learning Centre.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Any age
Admission
Free but Donations welcome.
Stargazing at Durlston
- 27 February 2015 7:30-10pm
- 28 March 2015 7:30-10pm
- 22 April 2015 9-8:30pm
Join the Wessex Astronomical Society for a short talk and the chance to use telescopes to view the sky at night.
October: The Moon, galaxies, star clusters and the Autumn Constella'
November: The Moon, nebulae, galaxies and the Winter Constellations.
December: TBC
January: The Moon, Jupiter, Star clusters, Galaxies, Orion Nebula and the Winter Constellations.
February: The Moon, Jupiter, Orion Nebula, Galaxies and the Spring constellations.
March: The Moon, Jupiter, Star Clusters, Orion Nebula, Galaxies and the Spring constellations.
April: The Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Lyrid meteors and the Spring Constellations.
Meet at the Learning Centre.
Weather dependent - phone 01929 424443 on the day to confirm. £3.00 per person.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3.00 per person.
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
‘Purbeck Footprints' Wildlife Photography Walk
- 19 April 2015 10:30am-12pm
Join wildlife photographer Julian Sawyer from 'Purbeck Footprints' and learn the basics of wildlife photography, fieldcraft and getting the best from your camera, in the beautiful setting of Durlston.
Meet at Learning Centre.
Booking essential.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£5.00
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/index.php?nid=141&id=4
Swanage Beach Clean
- 1 March 2015 2-4pm
- 26 April 2015 2-4pm
Join the Durlston Rangers to help keep Swanage Beach beautiful. Gloves and bags provided. Meet outside Bull and Boat restaurant (north end of Swanage Beach).
N.B. March and April times TBC.
Suitable for
- Any age
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Monthly Bird Walks at Durlston
- 8 February 2015 10-11:30am
- 22 March 2015 10-11:30am
Join top birder Hamish Murray for guided bird walks
November to see what late migrant and resident birds can be found around the National Nature Reserve;
December for a gentle stroll to enjoy Durlston's winter bird life;
January to see what late migrant and resident birds can be found around the National Nature Reserve;
February for a stroll to look and listen for Durlston's birdlife;
March to enjoy the chorus of birdsong and look for newly arrived migrants.
Meet at the Castle at 10.00am: £3
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
All walks £3.00 per person.
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/Dorset-Bird-Week.aspx
Live Music: An Evening of Sea Songs and Sea Shanties with theWareham Whalers
- 8 February 2015 7:30-10pm
The Wareham Whalers from Dorset have been singing sea shanties and other songs of the sea for the over10 years. “Our aim is to try to leave the songs as we found them.....strong tunes that watermen could work or relax to, and that were not so complex that an ordinary sailor couldn't join in with them! We love the genre and a number of members have become seriously interested in the development of these songs. Even so far as being involved with the Open University on a project about the way the music travels across the world.”
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
£6
Tickets available in advance from Durlston Castle or on the door on the night.
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Dolphins and the Deep Blue Sea
- 19 February 2015 2-4pm
Family activity. Games and activities to discover the amazing lives of the Durlston Dolphins.
Booking essential
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
£3
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Purbeck's Mini-beasts: An Illustrated Talk
- 22 February 2015 2-4pm
Join entomologist Chris Spilling for a talk to discover the amazing variety of insect life in Purbeck and the struggle for survival going on all round us, featuring amazing macro photography.
In the Learning Centre.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3.00.
Deep Freeze or Hothouse?': Understanding Climate Talk
- 8 March 2015 4:30-4pm
An illustrated talk with demonstrations by meteorologists Sylvia and Howard Oliver. Earth’s climate has changed many times in the past.How has this happened and how can wildlife respond to these changes?
In the Learning Centre
Admission
£3.00
Durlston's Coastal Landscape
- 15 March 2015 2-3:30pm
Join a Ranger for a stroll along the Coast Path, to discover how geology, coastal change, history, weather and wildlife combine to create this spectacular landscape
Meet at Durlston Castle
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3.00 per person.
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
50 Years, Man and Boy': The Artwork of Peter Rush
- 27 March — 20 April 2015
An exhibition of the witty, beautiful and unique work of Peter Rush including book illustrations, oil paintings, TV captions, puppets and wire and paper sculptures. Ongoing live demonstration of sky and seascape painting.
Also workshops for children. www.peterrushart.co.uk
In the Fine Foundation Gallery
Daily 10.30-4.00pm
Suitable for
- Any age
A Wildlife Wander with Widget
- 9 April 2015 2-3:30pm
Join Park Dog Widget and Katie the Ranger to sniff out Durlston's wildlife and get a dog's eye view of the Park.
Booking essential.
Meet at the Castle.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3.00.
Durlston Country Park Clifftop Tour
- 22 April 2015 10:30-11am
A half-hour tour of the clifftop.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Donations welcome
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/index.php?nid=141&id=4&evnt_id=1132
Early Spider Orchids and Other Spring Flowers
- 26 April 2015 2:30-4pm
Join botanist Ted Pratt to enjoy some of Durlston's rare and beautiful spring flowers.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3.00 per person.
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
- About
- | Exhibitions
- | Events
- | Map
