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Friends of Durlston

Friends of Durlston

The Friends of Durlston are a diverse, friendly group established in 1988 to provide opportunities for local, regular and occasional visitors to support and play a role in the management of Durlston Country Park. The group now boasts over 700 members, making it one of the largest and most active groups in the area.

Guided WalkSome Friends are active and enthusiastic volunteers whilst others are less actively involved but still enjoy the monthly newsletter, regular meetings and many other membership benefits listed below.

The support of the Friends has been a key factor in retaining high quality services at Durlston.

Being designated a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a 'Special Area of Conservation' and voted 'Britain's Favourite Country Park' along with recent awards including Gold in the Visit England Awards for Excellence in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism category in 2020 all highlight the continuing success of Durlston's management, and are a fitting reward for all the conservation and survey work carried out by Friends.

FOD cake

Become a Friend

Joining Friends of Durlston is easy, you can:

  • Fill out the application form online and pay via PayPal, or Visit the Castle and complete the form in person or Print the application form (or ask us to send you one) and then post it to the address at the bottom of the screen, with cheque payable to 'Friends of Durlston'.
  • Membership runs from 1st April - 31st March each year - all memberships are due at the end of March.
  • The price for 'Basic Membership' £20 (individual member) or £26 (household). Household members living at the same address are entitled to two parking permits and are all welcome to the meetings.
  • Prefer the convenience of paying for your parking up front? Then join as a 'Parking Inclusive' member, £65, £71 or £85
  • 'Basic Membership' is free to Dorset Carer's Card and Dorset Max Card holders.

Rest and Admire

Membership Benefits

Meetings and Social Events:

Discounts

Monthly Newsletters

An Opportunity to Volunteer

Simple Satisfaction! 

Meetings and Social Events: 
A Friends Evening is held at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of most months. Enjoy a varied programme of talks from guest speakers, catch up with Park news and wildlife sightings, share your views and ideas with the Rangers or just take the chance to socialise and have a cup of tea or coffee … just come along.

Discounts:

On Car Parking (Summer: 65p for 1 hour, £1.20 for 2 hours, £2.10 for 3 hours, £2.30 for 4 hours or or £3.50 all day. Winter: 65p 1 hour, £1.20 for 2 hours, £2.20 all-day). 

10% discount in the Seventhwave café at Durlston Castle.

Durlston Ranger led Guided Walks - £1 off. 

Simple Satisfaction! 
Some Friends play a quiet role, attending the occasional meeting and receiving the newsletters – simply by joining Friends of Durlston, you are helping to conserve and enhance one of England’s most important sites for wildlife and geology.

Volunteers

An Opportunity to Volunteer
Many Friends enjoy an active role at Durlston. Friends are involved in almost every aspect of managing this unique site from joining our weekly practical work parties, staffing the Visitor Centre, checking nest boxes, designing displays, putting on events or fundraising - whatever your skills or interests, there are plenty of ways to join in! No experience is necessary as full training is provided.

Volunteers celebrating Lottery success

Committee Representation:
The Friends of Durlston is a constituted group, who have an Executive Committee, who's remit is to help support, consult and feedback to the Rangers on all aspects of the management of Durlston.

The committee are re-elected annually at the AGM