Durlston Park:George Burt's follyTo the south of Swanage lies Durlston Park and it's castle both built by George Burt.They can be reached by road from Swanage town centre or the South West Coastal Path if you want to walk it. The hill is steep though! Once there you find ample parking for which there is a charge, and a short walk down to the castle,though it is not a real one.Built in 1887/8,it's intended use was as a restaurant, the upper floors were offered to LLoyds as a signal station but the offer was never taken up. The building really looks like it doesn't know what it wants to be, and right now it is closed except for a cafe at the front.What Burt really wanted from it is anyone's guess. Dorset County Council the current owner has received Lottery funding to carry an extensive refurbishment of the building turning it into a Jurassic Coast gateway centre.Work is supposed to start in 2009 with completion in 2010. The GlobeAs you move on past the castle, down the hill towards the cliff top,you arrive at the Great Gbobe a huge stone globe weighing 40 tons and built at Burt's Greenwich stone yard.
Once down at the cliif top you are on the South West Coastal Path which offer great views out to sea.Wildlife is in abundance here,such as Gannets & Brent Geese. Keep walking west and you will arrive at Anvil Point Lighthouse.This is open to the public on a few specific days in the year.Call the Lighthouse on 07818 268191 for the dates in 2009. A family ticket is £6.
A small pond has been created to the west of the centre to attract local bird life.A bird hide now attached to the visitor centre allows keen twitchers to get close. The centre is open every day April to November 10am to 5pm ; weekends and school holidays the rest of the time 10am to 430pm.
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