Durlston Castle and Country Park

Durlston Castle is located near the town of Swanage in Dorset, England. The castle is situated on the Purbeck cliffs, 215 feet above sea level, in Durlston Country Park.

The castle was built from local stone and is currently used as the Jurassic Coast Visitor Centre. The coast trail passes the front entrance to the castle, making it an ideal place to stop for a drink during a hike along the coast.

You're welcome to look around the castle and enjoy the scenery. On a clear day you can see the Isle of Wight in the distance. Behind the castle is the famous ten-foot diameter Globe. Around the globe is a wall of poetry and astronomical statistics. The Tilly Whim Caves are just a short walk away, and although they are closed, you can read interesting literature about how they were once used by the quarry. From the Tilly Whim Caves you can see the lighthouse, which is still in use today.

Durlston Country Park surrounds the castle. To the north of the castle is a beautiful forest with a trail that winds through the trees. There are benches along the cliffs where you can rest and enjoy views of the sea.

To the south of the castle is the Purbeck Cliffs, some of which are used by professional climbers. To the west of the castle is the open countryside with numerous trails that cover the land. During the evening hours you might catch a glimpse of some deer, a fox, or an owl if you're lucky. The sounds of foxes barking and birds singing is not uncommon. Several sections of the countryside are host to wildflowers that return every year in abundance.

For more information, please visit the Durlston Castle & Jurassic Coast Visitor Centre.