Aerial view of Durlston courtesy of Harbour Media and Visit Dorset

How to get here

Durlston is to be found 1 mile south of the town of Swanage, in Dorset, on the south coast of England. It is 40 miles south-west of Southampton and 20 miles (by road) from Bournemouth.

Grid reference: SZ 03 77

Postcode: BH19 2JL

Durlston entrance Sign

By Road

Take the A351 from Wareham (11 miles), or come across the Sandbanks to Studland ferry from Bournemouth (10 miles) to Swanage. For Satnav the postcode is BH19 2JL

From Swanage follow the brown tourist signs up the hill to Durlston.

The only charge made for visiting Durlston is for parking - via ANPR camera system. This parking charge is essential, as it helps pay for visitor facilities, public toilets, countryside ranger service, education programme and land management.

There are 2 MER Electric Charging Points in the car park (parking charges apply). A 22kW AC dual socket charger, providing a maximum 22KW, so 11KW maximum if two vehicles.

Parking charges

Durlston Bus at Bus Stop

On Foot

Durlston is a one mile walk uphill from Swanage, following one of many Public Footpaths. You can follow the waymarked Southwest Coast Path from Swanage seafront or follow Park Road, or Seymer Road then Durlston Road to walk up through the Durlston Pleasure Grounds. (about 1 mile)

From the centre of Swanage, you can follow the waymarked Victorian Trail through the meadows to Durlston Castle visitor centre (about 1mile)

From Herston, follow the waymarked 'Herston-Durlston' Trail which brings you in from the west across the meadows and downland (about 1 1/2 miles)

By Bike

Follow Lighthouse Road up from Swanage.

Once you get to Durlston there are no cycle routes or bridleways, so park your cycle at the secure stands by the Learning Centre, or in the Castle Car Park, and enjoy walking around the site.

By Train

The nearest mainline train station is Wareham (11 miles) or Bournemouth (across the Ferry on the number 50 bus).

There is a steam train that runs between Swanage and Corfe Castle.

By Bus

Unfortunately we have been unable to secure funding to run the usual D5 service between Swanage and Durlston this year.

There are buses to Swanage from both Poole and Bournemouth. Durlston is about 1 mile from the Bus station where there is a taxi rank, or have a wander up following one of the footpaths.

Drawing of clifftop trail

You can walk to Durlston from many directions, there are eight footpaths leading to the site.

From Herston area, including to and from the Swanage Bay View and Coastal Caravan Parks, follow the red waymarked 'Herston-Durlston' Trail which brings you in from the west across the meadows and downland (about 2 miles). pdf downloadable map of the Swanage Walkabout 1 Herston to Durlston trail.

From the centre of Swanage, you can follow the pink waymarked Victorian Trail through the meadows to Durlston Castle visitor centre (about 1mile)

From Peveril follow the South West Coast Path (acorns) up the downs and through the woodlands

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