Durlston Castle

Weddings and Hire

Weddings

Durlston Country Park offers a truly beautiful location for your special day. Our Castle is situated in 320 acres of unique woodland, clifftop and meadows providing incredibly breath-taking views. With picturesque locations and hidden spots of beauty, Durlston is one of the best local venues for the photographs that will capture your day. The views at the park are truly outstanding and will provide the perfect backdrop for your celebration with family and friends.

Just 5 minutes by car from the picturesque town of Swanage, or 45 minutes from Bournemouth, Durlston offers a tranquil and beautiful setting.

Durlston gives you plenty of freedom to create your dream wedding, enabling you to choose all the components that are right for you. With affordably priced room hire for the day, it is a great location to book.

Durlston Castle is set on top of an impressive headland jutting out into the sea, within it are two main locations to choose for your ceremony, wedding breakfast or canapes. The Fine Foundation Gallery on our lower level and the Belvedere at the top of the castle.

Both the Gallery and the Belvedere are licensed for civil weddings, with many couples choosing to have their ceremony in the glass-sided Belvedere, followed by drinks reception and canapes, others choose to have their wedding breakfast and reception in the Gallery.

We are thrilled to now offer couples the flexibility of a marquee wedding up at the Learning Centre. Marquee's come in all shapes and sizes to suit your style and number of guests. The main room of the Learning Centre is also included in the package.

For full detail of availability and prices please contact our Wedding Planner, Polly Smith, of Blue Bay Events at events@bluebayevents.co.uk, or visit their website www.bluebayevents.co.uk.

Belvedere room wedding set up

The Belvedere

Our Belvedere is a perfect setting for those more intimate ceremonies and after ceremony drinks and canapes (with a maximum capacity of 50). With 360’ views of the sea, park and Old Harry Rocks, gloriously high ceiling and the beautiful original décor, this room is full of character that will take your breath away.

The Belvedere, being the highest room in our castle, has some of the best views of Swanage, looking over Durlston Bay and Peveril Point and uninterrupted seas to the horizon. In calm weather, the sea will provide a tranquil blue backdrop, or in stormier weather provides some dramatic waves and ocean sprays.

The Belvedere also has a Private Terrace area for those drinks and canapes after the ceremony, giving your guests time to unwind and relax in the company of family and friends.

Gallery during wedding

The Fine Foundation Gallery

Our Gallery is another beautiful option here at Durlston with a larger capacity (up to 120 for the ceremony, and 90 seated for the wedding breakfast) and a more contemporary interior. With glass doors and ceiling high windows, the Gallery provides incredible lighting and views as a backdrop for your ceremony or celebration.

Looking out of the gallery, the sea fills the space giving you great opportunity to see some of Durlston’s wildlife including Peregrine Falcons or an occasional visit from the Durlston dolphins. This serene setting gives you a calm and tranquil environment for your ceremony, wedding breakfast or evening party. The gallery is a large open room with different layout options and has the opportunity to open up the wall to the next level if more space is required. Not really needed

The whole Gallery level and terrace will be yours for the day closed off to members of the public, giving you privacy throughout your special day, including exclusive use of a terraced amphitheatre.

Bride & Groom at Durlston Castle

Testimonials

“Thank you! It was the most fabulous day - and we really can't thank you enough for everything you did for us"

"We feel we were so lucky with the day and the venue was fantastic"

"We had an amazing wedding at Durlston Castle , and wow what an amazing venue! The staff were amazing and it is a day that will be in our hearts forever!"

"The Gallery Room was set up beautifully for the wedding ceremony and when we all returned from having our champagne in the Belvedere Room the Gallery Room had been transformed with the tables set out just how we had requested. We had a perfect day, all our guests commented on how well the day had gone and how much they enjoyed themselves, and even the sun shone for us! Thank you again to you and your team for such a wonderful day.”

Rest and Admire viewpoint across Bay

View from the Belvedere to Old Harry Rocks

Room Hire

Perhaps you fancy a private get together with a few friends, or you would like to celebrate a significant birthday or event?

The Belvedere is the top glass-sided room of Durlston Castle, with fantastic views on all sides. It has lift and stair access and the outdoor terrace that can also be hired.

The Activity Room (at the Learning Centre) is ideal as a family party room or a training venue. We can provide tables, chairs, whiteboard, flipcharts to suit.

The Belvedere and Learning Centre are available for hire throughout the year.

Please drop us a line to discuss your requirements, info@durlston.co.uk