Durlston Country Park

Durlston is a wonderful 320-acre country park and National Nature Reserve on the clifftops just south of Swanage, with wildflower meadows, woodland and miles of coast-path walking. The highlights are the Victorian Great Globe, a 40-tonne Portland stone sphere, Anvil Point lighthouse and the old Tilly Whim sea caves, with views to Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight.

Entry to the park and to Durlston Castle, the visitor centre, is free, though there is a parking charge. Dogs are very welcome on the paths, on a lead or under close control to protect the wildlife, and well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed inside the Castle and the cafe. On a warm day the woodland trails give welcome shade. We had arrived in Swanage on the steam train, and walked up to Durlston on a scenic route of about a mile and a half, all uphill but beautiful, and took a more direct route of about 1.2 miles back down to the town.

Make a day of it

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