Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve
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:
Garden, parklands or rural site
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
Wildlife Landscapes Exhibition
- 18 July — 8 August 2017 *on now
Paintings of Durlston and Dorset by internationally renowned wildlife artist Richard Tratt. Meet the artist who will be creating paintings of Durlston during this exhibition.
In the Fine Foundation Gallery.
Free of Charge
All things Wildlife Exhibition
- 1 — 16 August 2017
The children of the Nature Nursery, with artist Jane Colquhuon, are presenting an exhibition inspired by all things wildlife.
In the Fine Foundation Gallery, Daily 10.00am-5pm
Free
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
'Soup' An exhibition by Mandy Barker
- 11 — 28 August 2017
Exhibition of beautiful and thought provoking images by Mandy Barker demonstrating the catastophic effects of 'Soup' (a description given to suspended oceanic debris)
In the Fine Foundation Gallery 10.30am - 5pm
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Discover Madagascar with the Bournemouth Natural Science Society
- 11 — 27 September 2017
Discover the wildlife of one of the most amazing places on earth with artefacts and photographs from recent joint expeditions by the Bournemouth Natural Science Society and Bournemouth University.
In the Fine Foundation Gallery, daily 10.00-5.00pm
Free
Meet a Moth
- 29 July 2017 From 10:30am
- 5 August 2017 From 10:30am
- 12 August 2017 From 10:30am
- 19 August 2017 From 10:30am
- 26 August 2017 From 10:30am
- 9 September 2017 From 10:30am
- 30 September 2017 From 10:30am
Discover the beauty and strangeness of these creatures of the night, as we rummage through last night's moth trap
Meet at Durston Castle: Donations welcome.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Donations Welcome
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Drawing and Pen Workshop
- 16 September 2017 11am-2pm
Draw in pencil, pen and ink. Learn drawing skills and go home with 2 pieces of work!
Suitable for beginners or improvers.
Booking essential.
Contact Madelaine Rdevenay@aol.com
In the Learning Centre
Admission
£20
Dementia Friendly Stroll
- 2 September 2017 From 2:30pm
A half-hour stroll along easy terrain-all welcome but especially suited for people with dementia and their carers.
Donations welcome.
Meet at the Learning Centre
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
Donations welcome
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Castle Tour
- 3 August 2017 From 2:30pm
- 7 September 2017 From 2:30pm
Half hour tour of Durlston Castle.
Meet at the Castle
Donations Welcome
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Donations Welcome
Nordic Walking
- 5 August 2017 10-11am
- 1 September 2017 10-11am
Join a local Nordic Walking UK instructor to see how this fun activity can help you get fitter in the fresh air. No experience necessary, poles provided.
Booking Essential.
Free
Meet at the Learning Centre
Victorian Durlston Walk
- 24 September 2017 From 2:30pm
Victorian Durlston Walk
Walk to discover Durlston's curious Victorian history.
£3
Meet at Durlston Castle
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£3
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Durlston's Dino Trail
- 21 July — 3 September 2017 *on now
Step back in time for Durlston's pre-historic trail around the park and win a prize!
£3
Admission
£3
‘Purbeck Footprints' Wildlife Photography Walk
- 27 August 2017 From 10:30am
- 17 September 2017 From 10:30am
Join wildlife photographer Julian Sawyer to develop' your photographic skills.
Booking essential.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£5.00
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/index.php?nid=141&id=4
Wild Wednesdays at Durlston
- 26 July 2017 11am-3pm *on now
- 2 August 2017 11am-3pm
- 9 August 2017 11am-3pm
- 16 August 2017 11am-3pm
- 23 August 2017 11am-3pm
- 30 August 2017 11am-3pm
Free drop-in craft activities for families.
Donations welcome.
In the Belvedere
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
Donations welcome
Dolphins and the Deep Blue Sea
- 27 July 2017 2:30-4pm
Discover the lives of Durlston dolphins with games and activities
At the Learning Centre: 2.30pm
Booking essential
£3
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
£3
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Glow-worm Walk
- 28 July 2017 From 9pm
Join a Ranger for a short talk and night walk to discover these amazing creatures.
Meet at the Learning Centre
Booking Essential
£5
Admission
£5
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Durlston Past and Present
- 30 July 2017 From 2:30pm
Discover the fascinating past and the future of Durlston's historic landscape.
£3
Learning Centre.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£3
Bottle Rockets
- 31 July 2017 From 2:30pm
Bring along a pop bottle and have a go at building and launching a rocket.
Booking Essential.
£3
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Admission
£3
Den Building
- 3 August 2017 From 10:30am
Test your survival skills and design and make the perfect wilderness shelter.
Booking Essential.
At the Learning Centre
£3
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£3
Wild Summer Stroll
- 6 August 2017 From 2:30pm
Enjoy Durlston's Summer wildlife
Meet at the Castle
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£3.00 per person.
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Brilliant Bird Feeders
- 10 August 2017 From 2:30pm
Make a brilliant bird feeder to get our flying friends into ourgardens.
£5. Booking Essential.
At the Learning Centre
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Admission
£5
Stargazing at Durlston
- 12 August 2017 From 9pm
- 25 August 2017 From 8:30pm
- 29 September 2017 From 8pm
Join the Wessex Astronomical Society for a short talk and the chance to use telescopes to view the sky at night.
12 August: Perseid, meteors, Jupiter, Saturn, Milky Way and Summer Constellations.
25 August: Mars, Saturn, star clusters, Milky Way, Summer Constellations.
29 September: Moon, Saturn, galaxies, Autumn 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
Wildlife Forensics
- 15 August 2017 From 2:30pm
What did what, who lived where, who's been here and who's eaten what?
Animal tracks, trtails and signs.
Booking Essential: £3
Admission
£3
Beautiful Butterfly Gardens
- 17 August 2017 From 2:30pm
Learn about Durlston's beautiful butterflies and learn how to make your own butterfly garden.
At the Learning Centre £5
Admission
£5
Mini Beast Safari
- 24 August 2017 From 2:30pm
Go on safari in the meadows and hunt for one of Britain's biggest insects.
Booking Essential.
In the learning Centre\: £3
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
£3
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/index.php?nid=8&id=4&evnt_id=1127
Willow Weaving
- 26 August 2017 11am-3pm
Drop in to try beginner level willow crafting. Several makes available starting from 50p.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Orienteering for Beginners
- 29 August 2017 From 2:30pm
Learn to orienteer with a qualified British Orienteering Council Instructor.
Booking essential
£3,£4,£10
In the Learning Centre
Admission
£3, £4, £10
Let's Go Fly a Kite
- 31 August 2017 From 2:30pm
Family event.
Make your own kite then try it out.
Booking Essential. £5
At the Learning Centre
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£5
Barn Dance with Maiden Oak
- 1 September 2017 From 7:30pm
Folk legend, Rollo Woods, with caller, saxophone, fiddle, squeezebox, guitar, piano and drums. Tunes to suit dancers of all ages and abilities.
Parking included in advance sales.
Booking essential, £8
In the Fine Foundation Gallery
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£8
Chamber Music
- 2 September 2017 From 5pm
A performance by world renowned harpist, Florence Sitruk joined by string soloists.
Booking essential through purbeck-chambermusic.org.uk
£15
In the Fine Foundation Gallery
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
Booking Recommended £6
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Chamber Music, Kids' Concert
- 2 September 2017 From 11:30am
Experience and participate in live classical music with Purbeck International chamber Music Festival. Bring along instruments if you like.
Children Free; £5 for adults
Booking Essential through purbeck-chambermusic.org.uk
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
Adult £5
Children Free
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Bird Walks
- 3 September 2017 From 10am
- 24 September 2017 From 10am
Enjoy a guided walk to see what's about.
Meet at the Castle.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£3
Purbeck Film Festival: Claymation Workshop
- 27 October 2017 10am-2pm
Dougal Dixon, of Rex Cinema fame, will be leading an exciting claymation workshop.
Booking essential. Further details see www.purbeckfilm.com
Children aged 8+
£12 includes materials and refreshments.
Meet at the Learning Centre
Admission
£10
Website
http://www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx
Getting there
By car or bike: From Swanage, follow the brown tourist information signs.
On foot: From Swanage town centre, follow the South West Coast Path or Victorian Trail signs
Bike racks are located in the car park nearest Durlston Castle
Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve
Durlston Country Park NNR
Lighthouse Road
Swanage
Dorset
BH19 2JL
England
Website
Telephone
01929 424443
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