Our Restaurant & Location

Seventh Wave Restaurant in Swanage has its location in the unique and stunning surroundings of Durlston Country Park on the coastal edge of the Purbeck Peninsula. As part of the famous Jurassic Coast, we are actually within a World Heritage site.

Seventh Wave is an independent restaurant, leasing from Dorset Council (we are not council-run). We offer inside and outside seating as well as a seasonal takeaway facility. We are open to both visitors to the park and outside visitors. Our Swanage restaurant location sits within Durlston Castle which is free of charge to enter (car parking charges apply).

The building itself (Durlston Castle) is a Victorian Folley and was designed and built as a centre piece for a larger project by George Burt. Over the years it has been many things, including a home, a pub and now a restaurant!

Seventh wave Restaurant has a warm, inviting interior with a spacious, well lit dining room with high celings and a bar.

We offer a large sun-trap, wrap-around terrace with over 50 covers. The stunning panoramic views include Durlston Bay, Old Harry Rocks, Bournemouth, and the Isle Wight. We even see pods of dolphins swimming past. Perfect for an al fresco breakfast in the summer or lunch on a sunny winter’s day.

Our terrace is uncovered so soaks in the summer sun and it is only for patrons of the restaurant. There are separate picnic facilities for those who have purchased takeaways and or picnics.

By Road

Take the A351 from Wareham (11 miles), or come across the Sandbanks to Studland ferry from Bournemouth (10 miles) to Swanage. For Satnav the postcode is BH19 2JL. From Swanage follow the brown tourist signs up the hill to Durlston.

By Bus

From Poole and Bournemouth, buses arrive at Swanage Bus Station. From there it is a one-mile walk – follow the Durlston and coast path signage. Or the taxi rank can be found at the bus station.

For details of buses from Bournemouth (No. 50) and Poole/Wareham (No. 40) see here.

On Foot

Durlston is a one-mile walk uphill from Swanage, following one of many Public Footpaths. You can follow the waymarked Southwest Coast Path from Swanage seafront or follow Park Road, or Seymer Road then Durlston Road to walk up through the Durlston Pleasure Grounds. (about 1 mile).

Coming out of the centre of Swanage, you can follow the waymarked Victorian Trail through the meadows to Durlston Castle visitor centre (about 1mile).

From Herston, follow the waymarked ‘Herston-Durlston’ Trail which brings you in from the west across the meadows and downland (about 1 1/2 miles).

From Peveril follow the South West Coast Path (acorns) up the downs and through the woodlands.