Durlston Country Park

A 280 acre paradise of sea cliffs, coastal limestone downland, meadows, hedgerows and woods.

Durlston Country Park, National Nature Reserve and Castle is a mile from Swanage in Dorset. This countryside paradise has stupendous views, the Great Globe (a huge recreation of planet Earth), a variety of walks and fascinating geology - there's always something new to see and do.

This superb site is owned and managed by Dorset County Council, and is governed by the ethos of 'Conservation for Public Enjoyment'.

Schools

Durlston is a superb outdoor classroom, with a wealth of opportunities to enhance the study of geography, science, history, art and much more.

Whether bringing students face to face with Britain's biggest insect on a 'Mini-beast Safari', leading a discussion on balancing the needs of visitors and wildlife or exploring 'Life on the Edge' in one of the largest Guillemot colonies on the South Coast, the Rangers can offer students an unforgetable day.

The spectacular coastal scenery includes headlands and bays, sea defence works and coastal erosion, and - as a key Gateway to the World Heritage Site - a rich geological record as well as a unique Victorian legacy.

Durlston is a unique and inspiring site, offering a range of opportunities across the curriculum to bring learning to life.

Discovery Sessions

Ranger-led sessions to discover the wonders of the area.  There are 9 topics to choose from, all linked to the National Curriculum, and many have associated worksheets for follow-up work.

Waymarked Trails

A good way to explore Durlston on your own is to follow one of the trails; Woodland, Wildlife and Clifftop (there is also the Victorian Trail that starts in  Swanage and follows the coastpath up to Durlston). Each trail is clearly waymarked and has an associated leaflet highlighting various points of interest to be seen along the route.

School Projects

No-charge projects with local schools have included:

• Assisting with wildlife surveys
• Producing displays and artwork
• Practical conservation work
• Trialling new Discovery Sessions.

If your school is within the Purbeck area, get in touch to find out how your students can get involved with projects at Durlston.

Don't forget to visit Durlston Castle too!