Durlston Castle

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Project Description:

Set on a cliff top at the Eastern Gateway to the Jurassic Coast, this Grade II listed building – originally built by George Burt 120 years ago – required urgent restoration work to save it. The castle had fallen into disrepair and had dry and wet rot along with serious structural problems. The 82-week part Heritage Lottery Funded project involved the complete restoration of the castle, a new shop and gallery extension, visitor centre and the construction of a time line path leading from the main car park to the castle entrance.

The team constructed the works on four levels. Each level is now interlinked by lifts and a series of ramps to enable access to all areas. A new observation deck and restored Belvedere with a new copper roof offers panoramic views of the Dorset coast. The new Fine Foundation Gallery is a multi-function display and arts area and has a permanent Rock Room with fossil exhibits from the Jurassic Coast. Outside the gallery is a small amphitheatre and two cantilevered viewing platforms.

The project also included several new facilities including a restaurant, public toilets, reception with interactive features, external café terrace and extensive external works. The castle has been saved from the brink and can now be enjoyed by future generations. It now benefits from new mechanical and electrical services including an LPG heating system, upgraded electricity mains, foul and surface water drainage systems, water mains and data (fibre optics).

In March 2013, Greendale Construction won the prestigious Federation of Master Builders’ National Award for UK’s Best Builder in recognition of the restoration and refurbishment project at Durlston Castle. Judges were particularly impressed with the wide range of construction methods used to deliver this project – from traditional crafts such as stone masonry with lime mortars, terracotta work, copper sheet roof work and intricate lead detailing, to very modern methods for the new build extensions.

Architect: Long and Kentish
Surveyors: Trevor Humphreys Associates
Structural Engineers: DEC and Buro Happold