The Coastal Path at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2011

One of the most beautiful and serene places I have ever visited even though it is so busy. Durlston is large and there are many places where you can get away from the crowds. I took a walk along the coastal path to the Dancing Ledges 3 miles away and was rewarded with astounding views. As you walk along the top of the cliffs you get stunning views across a blue sea and see many different types of birds. I saw Guillemots, Razorbills, Shag, Fulmar, Gannet, Kittiwake, and Gulls along the cliffs. Other birds present included Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat, Kestrel, Raven and Stonechat. I was lucky enough to see a Barking Deer or Muntjac as they are also known.
I also had a little pot of locally made Honeycombe Hash flavoured Purbeck ice cream.

www.durlston.co.uk/

Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve, situated 1 mile from Swanage in Dorset, is a fabulous 280 acre countryside paradise, consisting of sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland. With stunning views, walking trails, the historic Great Globe, superb geology and fascinating wildlife there is always something different to see.

www.durlston.co.uk/index.php?nid=51&id=32

About Durlston Country Park
Situated in the south-east corner of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset (grid ref SZ 03 77), a mile south of Swanage, lies Durlston Country Park – 280 acres of very special countryside.

The Country Park was established in the 1970s by Dorset County Council, and 30 years of careful management by the Ranger team have resulted in a superb site that everyone can enjoy.
Wildlife and Landscape
Few places in Britain equal Durlston: The bare statistics merely hint at the amazing diversity of wildlife: 33 species of breeding butterfly, over 250 species of bird recorded, 500 wildflowers, 500 moths and thousands of other invertebrates.
Durlston's special qualities stem from a combination of geography, geology, history and careful management which has created a mosaic of nationally important wildlife habitats: sea-cliffs, downs, ancient meadows, hedgerows, woodland, and dry-stone walls – each with their characteristic plants and animals.

History
Wildlife apart, there are plenty of other things to see: The history of Durlston can be detected in the now dry, glacial river valley, the ancient Saxon field systems, two types of quarry – the inland Purbeck Stone Quarr, and the Portland limestone cliff quarry known as Tilly Whim Caves.
High on the ridge remain the footings of a Napoleonic telegraph station, and Anvil Point Lighthouse adds further interest to a visit.
The eminent Victorian, George Burt, left a legacy of fascinating artefacts. These include the 'Great Globe' – 40 tons of Portland limestone, cast-iron bollards from the City, St Martin's and other parts of London, and Durlston Castle itself – all linked by scenic cliff-top paths with Victorian panels quoting poetry and facts of interest.

Facilities
The Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre is a must for all - recent wildlife sightings, daily and monthly displays all ensure the latest information for visitors.

There are also live pictures from the seabird colony on the cliffs and sound from an underwater hydrophone.
A Ranger is always available to help you make the most of your visit.
Family Activities
Guided Walks and Events
A full programme of events – guided walks, boat trips, talks, children's events and other activities run throughout the year.

Paths and Trails
Four clearly waymarked Trails, each with its own information leaflet provide an ideal introduction to Durlston.
All Trails begin at the Visitor Centre.
A network of Public Footpaths criss-cross the site, with good access to the South-west Coast Path.

Education
Each year, thousands of school children and students use Durlston as an educational resource. A wide range of sessions and other educational facilities are provided by the Rangers to help them get the most from their visit.

Community
Friends of Durlston
The Park has always had close ties with the local community, and the Friends of Durlston organisation provides a focus for goodwill and support.
Over 700 Friends provide an enormous amount of practical help – from running the Visitor Centre counter and updating our wildlife records, to monitoring butterflies and building dry stone walls.
There is also a thriving social side to the 'Friends', with illustrated talks held monthly and other events throughout the year.

Achievements
Awards
The County Council's policy of 'Conservation for Public Enjoyment' has formed the basis of the Park's management for 30 years.
This, combined with the support of the Friends, has led to both organisations being jointly awarded the prestigious English Nature SSSI Award.
In 2006 Durlston recieved both the Royal Horticultural Society's 'Conservation and Environment Award' for outstanding conservation work
In 2008, for the third time, we were awarded the 'Green Flag', recognising the quality of amenities for visitors.
In 2010, Durlston was voted 2nd in a competition to find Britain's Favourite Park, organised by the Keep Briatin Tidy Group.
Designations
As an internationally important site for wildlife and geology, Durlston is protected by a host of designations. Durlston forms part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Purbeck Heritage Coast (which holds a Council of Europe Diploma for it's management).
Most of the Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and since 1997, a Special Area of Conservation. Most of the Park is also designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance, while in 1997, the Dorset and East Devon Coast was awarded World Heritage Site status for its geological importance.
In June 2008, Durlston was awarded National Nature Reserve Status by Natural England in recognition of the national importance of Durlston for wildlife.
This long list of accolades and designations that highlight the site's importance and provide a reminder of the great care that must be taken to conserve this wonderful facility for future generations.
At any time of year, a visit to Durlston is a memorable experience. Despite its popularity, there is still the peace and quiet to enjoy the natural splendours of the area, and no matter how many times you visit there is always something new to see and enjoy.

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / Swanage (show map)

Taken on: January 3, 2011

Tags:

2011

dorset

united kingdom

britain

great britain

southern england

durlston country park

swanage

places to visit in dorset

places to visit in swanage

tourism in swanage

isle of purbeck

environment of dorset

protected areas in dorset

conservation in dorset

parks and open spaces in dorset

parks and open spaces in swanage

nature reserves in dorset

jurassic coast

jurassic coast in dorset

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

world heritage sites in dorset

world heritage sites in england

the coastal path in durlston country park

walking along dorset's coast

dorset's coastal path

june

dorset in june

dorset in summer

durlston country park in june

durlston country park in summer

Site of Special Scientific Interest

Site of Special Scientific Interest in Dorset

Site of Special Scientific Interest in southern england

Special Area of Conservation

Special Area of Conservation in england

Special Area of Conservation in dorset

Site of Nature Conservation Importance

Site of Nature Conservation Importance in dorset

Site of Nature Conservation Importance in england

the Dorset and East Devon Coast

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Dorset

Purbeck Heritage Coast

coastal reserves in england

tourism in dorset

great day's out in dorset

geology of dorset

rich eco-systems in dorset

the natural beauty of dorset

the landscape of dorset

the natural heritage of dorset

history in dorset

natural history of dorset

coastal paths in england

coastal paths in dorset

the dorset coastline

durlston country park and national nature reserve

geography of dorset « less

Sets appears in: • The British Coastline • Summer in Britain more » • Dorset • Durlston Country Park near Swanage in Dorset, England • Group 1 « less

Groups appears in: • beach lovers. . . • UK more » • Beaches • Asian • 10-25 favorites [No nudes / erotic] • 1-2-3 Nature • Favorites: 20 • BLUELIST - The Best of Lonely Planet • Beautiful Britain • *Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey & Dorset (England, UK)* • "A" Class (comment 2) Pls, Comment immediately. • A Picture of Britain • Color Photo Award - PREMIER -- Post 1: Award 2 • DORSET IN PICTURES • Beautiful Earth • Photography Club Pakistan • Beautiful Capture • Countryside & Nature • "Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST! (Post 1 Award 3)" • 100 + Viewed Natural Landscapes (add1, com.1) Break Rules = Ban • *SHINING★STAR - Post 1- Give 5 Stars • *Best of Flickr* (Comment 1 / invite 2) PHOTOS ONLY • All from A to Z (Please Comment on atleast 3 images per Visit) • Click! P1-C2 • *THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER (P1/A2) • " Damn Cool Photographers in the WORLD " .♥.♥.♥ • Better Than Good • * Just One Rule [Only Land, Sky & Seascapes] (post 1~comment 1) • "Smörgåsbord" (Unlimited Posting - Award 3) • " MASTER CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY " • ALL Welcome - I am sick of 'rules and regulations - New Contest • !!FlickrGreen ~ Everyday is Earth Day!! • Breath-Takingly Beautiful(NO PEOPLE!!!) • "This Photo Rocks!" (Post 7 - Award 3) • "World Trekker" (Post 7 - Award 3) • "Check Out My New Pics!" (Post 10-Award 3) • *WONDERFUL NATURE* [ Post 01, Award 03 ] ( Not People) • Royal Group - Have a Good Light ! • Blue Water • Beaches - Around the World • ***SCREAM OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER*** • Bouncing Ball-Post 1/AWARD 2 • ** with SKY ~Post 1 Award 3~ • !Group Tripod (post1~comment4) • ***FLICKRPEDIA*** House of Knowledge/Please comment on 3 • 100 + Viewed Best of Geology (Add 1, Award 1) • Brilliant Photography! Award 3 , Sweeper is On! • Bluey!... The Nature in Blue - Temporarily CLOSED • "THE WORLD IN FLICKR" (NEW RULES) • *Mallmix ★ STAR ★ Award* (Post 1 Award 1) • Colour Mania • Bienvenidos todos los recuerdos / All Memories Welcome • *Blue Magic* Add 1 – Comment 1 • " Your BEST of Today " - Through MY Eyes • *Ooh! La La pictures [Post 1 - Comment 5 or Invite 3]* • **Super Best Shots on Flickr**/ P.1, A.5 ! NO COMMENT=BAN! • A Real Gem! - Post One ~ Award Three - 10,000+ Members Strong! • *Flickr's BEST* - SERIOUS Photographers - Post 1/Comment 3 • BBC Britain in Pictures • !*Flickr Award Group*! (GIVE 5 AWARDS) • A Black Rose - Post 1/Award 3 → NO sales or 2end Life!! • ! * Sweet Mermaids and Big Sharks ! Post 1 / Award 2 • Alternative Views • Above All the Rest and Simply the BEST (P.1 A.3) SWEEPER ACTIVE • Agua de Vida-Water(Sube1foto y comenta2)(Post1photo and comment2 • Alberi d'alto fusto, Boschi e Foreste / Trees, Woods and Forest • as beautiful as you want • Beautiful Nature (post 1 comment 5) • The UK Photographer • ***Flickr Global • Beaches of the World (geotagged) • All Around the World...Post 6 - Comment 3 • Photos beautiful • CLICK!! ♥ Post 1 / Comment 2 • Obiettivo & Fotocamera • [][][]All Welcome[][][] • * * Nossas Vidas / Nosso Mundo * Our Life / Our World * * • ***A Place For Great Photographers*** Administration Approval • * World Waterscapes (NO Black&White Photos) • Beautiful Seasons • Amics de la Càmera. • ! * The Beauty of Nature/ NO people! NO single buildings! P1/C2 • AQUAƬǀƇ ƜORLƊ - ƜAƬƐR ƇRƐAƬURƐS POST1- CMT2 • !* NATURE (moderated group) P1-A2 [No tourist photos] • *MM - Artistic Photos* • Pakistani Photographers Association (PPA) • [][][]Not only Facebook[][][] • [][][]Nature.. Light and Color[][][] • [][][]Beyond time[][][] • WORLD Photography (Post 1 / Award 1) • ! * World Wide Nature * ! P1-A2 *NO buildings or people!* • [][][]La Mascotte **Gallery**[][][] • A New Art & Photo Gallery - Post 1/Award 1 • All Things ~*Earthy*~ • [][][] Photos of the other world [][][] • Blink Again - Post 1 - Comment 2 (no 30/60 limit ) • ! * Evergreen Beauty Group - P1/A2 - NO PEOPLE, ONLY NATURE* • ` FLICKR ´ • -- I ❤ THE SEA - IO ❤ IL MARE -- • Click a Pic [ post 1 - award 5 ] - SWEEPERS RUNNING • SARDEGNA chiama SICILIA e viceversa. • ALPHA Awards from Sunriserjay's Circle o' FriendsLEVEL1(P1~A4) • [][][] Flickr. DNA [][][] • A Personal Viewpoint • 30,000 Views Unlimited 30000 • 25,000 Views Unlimited 25000 • SEASCAPES!!! • !*ALL ARE WELCOME*! • RUNNING LANDSCAPES • PARKS GARDENS AND WOODS • -- Water is life.. • !*Flickr All Stars*! • [][][] The best pictures [][][] • Art of Exploration • -- IMMAGINI DAL MONDO -- • !Great Photographers! • * just photos * no rules please use comment code appreciated • !*Natures Beauty*! • A LONG WALK IN THE WORLD. VINTAGE • Photozone Level 1 ....... Post 1 Award 5 other members • 1 photo of your trip « less

Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S2950, f/6.4, 1/180 sec, 5mm, ISO 64 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Fujifilm FinePix S2950
Aperture:	f/6.4
Exposure Time:	0.006 sec (1/180)
Focal Length:	5mm
ISO:	64
Exposure Bias:	-0.8 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Digital Camera FinePix S2950 Ver1.00
Show full info

Stats: 32,272 views / 96 comments