Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve — Attraction in Swanage

We visited Durlston Country Park today to enjoy a nice walk and enjoy the views. We decided to have a coffee before we set off walking, but sadly our experience in the cafe completely ruined the day. Ordered two hot drinks and cake, but then made the fatal mistake of having them in takeaway cups thinking it would be easier and safer due to the cafe packed with children. Once sat down with our drinks and cake a very rude member of staff came over to inform us that we shouldn’t be sat in the cafe area because we had chosen to have our order in a takeaway cup. She told us we would have to move if other customers wanted to use the table and there was nowhere else to put them! Well of course half way through our order, which wasn’t any less price wise for a takeaway, she came over and told us we needed to move.

My husband told her we would have a proper cup instead to put our drinks into at which point she told us we couldn’t and had to move. When I asked why we needed to move when we were paying customers who had paid the same as everyone else she told me it was “policy”. I checked the website and found that the picnic tables she was telling us to move to are for customers who bring their own food and drink. When I pointed this out and asked where the sign was that made clear we had to move, she told me there wasn’t one but that they are busy.

While the place is lovely, the very rude woman who made a complete show of us in front of all the other customers, completely let it down. Even the couple at the table next to us were completely shocked by her behaviour. We will never ever return to cafe again and it has put us off of visiting at all in the future to be honest. A complaint, for which I hope they have a genuine policy, will be...

Great place to enjoy "a workout of a walk"! However you don't have to walk too far to enjoy the views, a drink, a meal or a cream tea. Allow yourself plenty of time! You can easily spend the whole day there.

Car parking is just £6 for a full day. £2 for 1 hour, £3 for 2. There's an option for £5 for 4 hours BUT for just £1 more, choose the all day option!!! MOST of the machines ONLY take COINS!! There ARE a couple that take Cards BUT but that may NOT be the closest machine to you. You may have to walk to several different machines before you find one that takes Card Payments!!! Online or 'Smartphone payments' are NOT available!!! There are 3 parking areas, one for coaches only. You CAN get there by Public BUS, check the website and Bus Times!

The site IS Very accessible if you have an electric wheelchair (mobility scooter) with GOOD Wheels. There are lots of ramps and several lifts (The Café is fully accessible) BUT if you only have a 'foldaway chair' or use a walking frame; ask to use one of the rugged mobility scooters so that you can explore some of pathways and viewpoints! Check out the website or contact Dorset Council for information. They have made many efforts to make the site accessible. However NOT all paths and areas are accessible. Some paths have loose gravel. We found that Mobile Phone Reception was poor (or NOT Available) along some of the clifftop paths!!!

Victoriana: Lots of information (on Stone Plaques) about "Time, time differences, Compass bearings and Navigation" etc.

This is a place that you can return time after time for the nature, views, fresh air...

It's a really lovely place to wander and admire the natural beauty of the sea and the wild grassy areas. There are wild orchids to see , ground nesting birds and a panorama second to none out at sea. There are worn heavily used paths , trodden into the ground by years of use, there are large areas un mown for rare plants to thrive and a proper chalk path meandering from Durlston Head via the Coastguard Watch tower , the Lifeboat station into Swanage. There are bird Hides , information boards and a disused Quarry . There is the site of the old Tilly and history of quarrying is visible . Great views over the edge to the crashing waves and rocks to climb down so you can witness first hand the power and majesty of the sea. There is also a centre for information and a large cafe . The cafe has outdoor seating and there are a very good choice of savouries and cakes. The view is terrific from the balcony area. There is a large car park situated nearby and its not too far to walk to Swanage from there if you feel energetic. There are many examples of Dry stone walling and I believe you can even enrol in a course to learn if you wish. Well worth an...