Durlston Castle & Country Park   Description Durlston Country Park, is a mile south of Swanage and is set in 280 acres of very special countryside. Few places in Britain equal Durlston: The bare statistics merely hint at the amazing diversity of wildlife: 33 species of breeding butterfly, over 250 species of bird recorded, 500 wildflowers, 500 moths and thousands of other invertebrates. Durlston's special qualities stem from a combination of geography, geology, history and careful management which has created a mosaic of nationally important wildlife habitats: sea-cliffs, downs, ancient meadows, hedgerows, woodland, and dry-stone walls each with their characteristic plants and animals.  Durlston Castle was built in 1887 by local businessman George Burt as a folly and a restaurant for the visitors to his Durlston estate. The Castle with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund has taken 8 years to restore. It provides a unique and beautiful facility for visitors to Durlston and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It is also the Visitor Centre, offering a range of interactive displays and exhibitions.  Also within the building is the seventhwave cafe and restaurant, shop, and gallery with different exhibitions every month, plus spectacular views from the Belvedere and roof terraces.     Tourist Info Durlston Castle, Lighthouse Road, Swanage BH19 2JL Daily 9.30am to 4pm | Tel:01929 424443 | Website     Train/Bus The main railway line, Waterloo to Weymouth stops at Bournemouth (No 50 bus to Swanage) and Wareham (No 40 bus to Swanage).     Parking The Country Park has a large car park Map     More pictures Durlston Castle has excellent views all around Nearby Nearby Nearby Durlston Castle     Accessibility Despite being on four levels the Castle is easily accessible for all, with lifts and gentle ramps for those with less mobility.  We also have an intercom system and a Tramper electric buggy to help you around the site.

Below, the 'Great Globe' 40 tons of Portland limestone and one of the largest stone spheres in the world. Constructed in Greenwich in 1887, it was brought to Swanage by sea.