A stunning cliff top gateway to the Jurassic Coast, famed for its wildlife, has been chosen by the public as one of the country’s favourite parks.

Durlston Country Park near Swanage has been voted the best park in the south west and came second in the whole country in The People’s Choice Award, run by the Keep Britain Tidy Group.

The award was open to more than 1,000 parks and green spaces all over Britain.

The scenic park, owned and managed by Dorset County Council, became the county’s first country park in the mid 1970s. Since then it has been recognised as one of Britain’s best sites for wildlife, attracting more than 250,000 visitors a year.

The council’s policy of “conservation for public enjoyment” has resulted in the park being much lauded with awards, including English Nature’s SSSI, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Conservation and Environment Award and for the last five years a Green Flag for visitor amenities.

“Durlston is one of the jewels in the crown of Dorset’s countryside,” said Hamish Murray, Dorset Countryside ranger service manager.

“The hard work of the staff and volunteers has contributed to the British public choosing Durlston as its second favourite green space.”

As well as safeguarding this precious piece of Dorset countryside, the park also allows more than 8,000 school students a year to learn about the natural environment, provides courses for adult learners, activity days for families and volunteering and training opportunities.

“Durlston is a wonderful example of the county council working in partnership to deliver an exemplary service to both tourists and local residents,” said Cllr Robert Gould, cabinet member for the environment.

“It really is a world-class site, of which everyone in Dorset can be rightly proud.”

The park is set to get even better over the next year with the completion of the £5.35m Durlston Project to restore the historic castle as a world class visitor attraction.