Durlston Country Park lies south of Swanage and was once a private estate with its "castle" as the centrepiece. Over the past few years the rather "tired" facility has been improved and upgraded into a splendid visitor attraction. As well as magnificent views ...
... back towards Poole and Bournemouth, you can wonder at the huge globe ...
But from May 27th 2012 things have improved, just a bit. In partnership with Dorset County Council and the Park itself a daily half hour frequency (with a couple of driver's rest breaks) is operated by Damory; Wilts and Dorset [W & D] in a cunning disguise.
The leaflet, which popped through fbb's letterbox a couple of days ago, is a first class example of how to "sell" a bus service. It has an attractive cover ...
The leaflet has some general information about the Park's facilities and, obviously, the timetable for the route, of which only an extract is given here.
But the most stunning feature is the panel advertising the fares; and yes, W & D leaflets often give fares.
But look closely and you will see that returns offer good value by today's standards and "children" ...
But look closely and you will see that returns offer good value by today's standards and "children" ...
... pay a reduced fare from age 7 to 18 inclusive. Five adults travelling together would pay just £1 return each. That's not just as cheap as chips, its much cheaper than chips! Are these the best value fares in the whole of the UK? Can they be bettered?
The net result is that it makes you want to go there.
Combine Durlston with an open top ride from Poole on the service 50, seen here leaving the Sandbanks chain ferry and you have the makings of a superb day out. If you want to spend a few more pennies then the Swanage Railway beckons ...
... just magnificent.
The bus service deserves to succeed, so, fbb suggests tactfully, GO THERE AND RIDE UPON IT! fbb is already planning a summer circular from the Island.
a 50 in "Breezer" livery
.
.
Next Blog : Monday 4th June
I looked at the W&D website and found no mention of the "Durlston Explorer", so tried Damory's, with similar lack of success.
ReplyDeleteThen I found this on the "Swanageview" blog: "Visitors can now ride the Dorset Explorer number five service", but it is not listed on Damory's website as 5 either.
They like to keep these things well-hidden, don't they?
I could not find it either but was unwilling to mention it unless I had boobed! But I expect that the websites are contracted to some remote organisation ...
ReplyDeleteI have found a timetable on Traveline South West and a news item on www.dorsetforyou.com (a partnership between Dorset CC and the smaller (non-unitary) councils but you have to know where to
ReplyDeletelook!
I assume Damory are just treating this as a fixed-price contract and leaving the publicity (and financial risk) up to the councils (either Purbeck DC or Dorset CC)