Discovery Sessions

The Rangers are happy to work with educators to tailor sessions to meet your learning needs. If the sessions below do not meet your requirements, please get in touch. Unless otherwise agreed all sessions begin at the Learning Centre

• Booking and Further Information

1. Meet a Ranger

½ hour introduction to Durlston and the work of the Rangers. The session can be tailored to suit your area of study.

• Topics include landscape, habitats, tourism, environmental issues, and provides an insight into the local marine environment.

2. Birds of the Cliff

A session in the Learning Centre, followed by a walk along the coast path to understand the birds and their behaviour.

• Animated talk using live Guillemot pictures relayed from the cliff-edge camera.
• Topics include adaptations of seabirds, comparison, breeding cycle, identification, predation, human influences.

3. Limestones and Quarries

An introduction to geology, & stone quarrying, focusing on the 2 different quarries situated on the Park, starting at the Learning Centre

• Rock formation, geological timescale, fossil evidence and changes in the environment.
• Resources and human impact on the landscape.
• Adaptations to limestone habitat.

4. Dolphins and the Marine Environment

A lively session in the Learning Centre, and walk along the coast path to explore the marine environment.

• Underwater adaptations.
• Human impact on the marine environment.

5. Durlston Mini-tour

Join a Ranger to explore the park, focusing on seasonal interests. Starts at Learning Centre.

• Comparing habitats and the wildlife within them, plant and animal adaptations, land-use changes - farming, quarrying, and tourism.

6. Victorian Durlston

An historical tour of Durlston through the ages. Meet at Learning Centre

• Step back in time to 1862 and discover the aspirations of Durlston’s eccentric owner, George Burt. His legacy includes Durlston Castle and the Great Globe.
• The history of stone quarrying in the 1800s is also relived through 2 examples of quarries on the Park

7. Adaptations and Ecosystems

A talk/ walk to discover adaptations and ecosystems on the Park. Meet at Learning Centre

• Topics include adaptations, diversity, interdependence, prey/predator relationship and competition.
• Environmental pressures and conservation.
• Examples from marine and terrestrial environment.

8. Coastal Processes

A session and walk to explore coastal dynamics. Meet at Learning Centre

• Examples of eroded bays, headlands, landslips & coastal defences.
• Relationship between geology and landscape, and the effects of geology on habitat creation.
• Erosion, discordant and concordant coastlines.
• Why this coastline has been designated as a World Heritage Site.

9. Country Park Management on a World Heritage Site

A slide show and/or walk and discussion to investigate Country Park management on a WHS and sustainability. Meet at Learning Centre

• WHS status - what does it mean for tourism, the local economy and environment?
• Human impact on the environment - can conservation and tourism be reconciled?
• Sustainable development and responsibility – is there such a thing as eco-tourism?

A resource CD is available at £10 to accompany this session, if required.

10. Fossil Dig

Join a Ranger for a 1/2 hour interactive introduction to the amazing prehistoric past of Durlston and the Jurassic Coast. Uncover fossils in our Jurassic Dig Tray and see the real thing, including dinosaur footprints. Meet at Learning Centre

• Topics include properties of rocks, differences and similarities between plants and animals, what is a fossil and how are they formed, adaptations to the environment and environmental change over time.

11. An Introduction to Orienteering

Using British Orienteering Council resources participants will need to use their mental and physical skills to find control points with use of an orienteering map within the country park.  

• Classroom session: understanding maps and their: symbols / keys; contour lines, compass points and scale

• Warm up activities: consolidation of symbol recognition; simple practical navigation and orientation

• Orienteering Course: as groups or individuals going out into the park and reaching control points. Initially one control at a time then several in succession enabling participants to plan their quickest route.

For schools and youth groups we recommend a ratio of at least one (1) adult supervisor (participating walking or running) per five (5) pupils. This is as competitive as the participants want it to be! Fifteen (15) pupils maximum per session.

12. From Durlston to Deep Space

The Durlston Astronomy Centre (at the Learning Centre) provides a unique opportunity for students to explore the wonders of the night sky, using state-of-the-art 14-inch reflecting telescopes to provide views of the near and far universe. Sessions last 1 hour (evenings only).

• Work with the telescopes is supported by a presentation and an expert astronomer, linked to the National Curriculum.
• If the weather is unsuitable for viewing, a full indoor astronomy programme includes presentations, 3-D demonstrations and discussions.
• Teachers can also be trained to use the telescope independently or attend astronomy courses at Durlston.

Further Info

Cost and Length of Sessions

Most sessions last approx 1½ hours and cost £2.50 per student. There is a minimum charge of £40 for these sessions

'Meet a Ranger' and 'Fossil Dig' are ½ hour sessions based in and around the Centre/Castle and cost £1.50 per student. There is a minimum charge of £30 for these sessions

'From Durlston to Deep Space' (evening only) lasts 1 hour and costs £3.50 per student. There is a minimum charge of £50 for an evening session.

Discovery Sessions and The National Curriculum

The sessions are designed to cover areas of the National Curriculum, however they are flexible and can be adapted to suit your learning needs. Please discuss with a Ranger before your visit.

Booking a Session

Please telephone first to ensure your chosen date is available, then complete the booking form and send it to the address below, or email it to us.

For more details contact:

Durlston Country Park,
Lighthouse Road,
Swanage BH19 2JL

01929 424443