The multi-million pound refurbishment project is now complete following 19 months of major works giving the Dorset County Council run park world class visitor facilities they can be proud of.
The Grade II listed Castle and surrounding country park, situated just outside Swanage and the gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site, has received a significant Heritage Lottery Fund contribution, extensive work on the £5.5 million project began in April 2010. The re-designed interior now boasts a brand new Visitor Centre, shop, interactive displays, a gallery, cinema room and the ‘Seventh Wave’ restaurant.
Visitors will be able to enjoy new art installations as well as the popular newly spruced-up 'Great Globe', a 40-tonne Portland limestone sculpture. There is also the new Serpentine path, a geological 'Timeline' by artist Gary Breeze, which zig-zags from the Castle and features Victorian panels quoting poetry and facts of interest.
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The venue is now available to host weddings and conferences offering breath-taking sea views set in stunning grounds. The Seventh Wave restaurant is taking bookings where you can take advantage of a creative menu with fresh, local ingredients.
The Castle was built between 1887 and 1891 by George Burt, who planned to use it as the centrepiece for a fashionable Victorian spa. It is now ‘the jewel in the crown’ of the country park, which was established by Dorset County Council in the 1970s.
The park itself spans 300 acres and is a designated National Nature Reserve, hosting bustling seabird colonies, migrant birds, rare orchids and beautiful butterflies. Within the Castle the new visitor centre will be open every day of the year with free entry and will feature interactive displays based around the changing year at Durlston.
The Castle was re-opened with a ribbon cutting by Hilary Cox, Cabinet Member for Community Services who said: "I am delighted to be invited to open the Castle; it is looking very different to the shabby place I visited a few years ago and is an incredible achievement for all involved. I am delighted to see Durlston Castle back to its former glory."
Rob Hooker, Director of Greendale Construction Limited says of the project, said: "It has been a privilege to work on this unique project to restore this wonderful Castle back to its former glory. George Burt must be looking down and smiling! It was a massive challenge when he built the Castle and I am pleased to say that Greendales have matched that challenge with the full refurbishment and sympathetic extensions undertaken.
"Greendale's are immensely proud of what they have achieved and are pleased to have had an important hand in saving the Castle for future generations to enjoy and visit."
