Durlston Head Castle

DURLSTON HEAD 1. 5190 Durlston Head Castle SZ 08 NW 2/48 II GV

1. Dated 1887 ihi a sundial fixed to the wall. Built by George Burt as the restaurant for a holiday complex, the rest of which was never completed. Built of Purbeck Stone in a castle form. Rectangular central block. Above the ground floor is a moulded cornice with 4 ball finials, 4 pilasters with reeded capitals. Three light casements and a round-headed doorcase now with glazed porch. Above the ground floor is a large glazed belvedere and at its angles are 4 octagonal stone turrets masking chimneys with pseudo-machicolation. To the south the building has a steep battered plinth and has a resticated basement. There is a sundial and 2 tablets on this elevation. A curtain wall extends to the east having 2 towers with battered walls and bartizans. Against this wall is a stone lean-to, probably originally a coach house supported on 2 cast iron Persian columns and 5 slender columns with plumed capitals. The interior has a circular iron staircase. The forecourt wall incorporates 3 tapering cylindrical gate piers each one having one word of 'Durlston Head Castle' inscribed. The building has interests as an early example of a planned holiday complex and local historical interest.

Listing NGR: SZ0339677264