Durlston Castle – The Tilly Whim Caves

Tilly Whim Caves

Tilly Whim Caves are old limestone quarries that were mainly worked during the eighteenth century. The name may have been derived from a former quarryman called "Tilly" and the type ofprimitive crane, then in use, known as a "Whim".

A valuable type of Portland Limestone was extracted from the caves. The quarrymen mined horizontally into the cliff face using only punches, wedges and hammers to split the rock into workable blocks.

The quarrymen were also skilled stonemasons working much of the stone on site, into finished building blocks or items such as sinks and troughs.

The stonework was lowered from the ledges onto boats using a "whim" and then taken out to a larger sailing ketch anchored offshore or shipped directly to the yards on Swanage Quay.

During the Napoleonic wars Freestone was used extensively for building fortifications along the South coast. However, after the war ended in 1815 the demand for stone slumped and for te next 50 years the caves saw little activity apart from smugglers plying their illicit trade.

In 1887 George Burt opened the Tilly Whim as a tourist attraction for his Durlston estate. Public access to the caves continues until 1976 when serious rock falls made them so unsafe they had to be closed.

Today, the caves and ledges provide a haven for hibernating bats, maritime plants and various nesting birds.

Durlston Castle and Country Park:

Accommodation:
Please visit the Dorset County Council website or the Purbeck District Council website for nearby bed and breakfast, guest house and hotel information.

Address:
Durlston Country Park
Lighthouse Rd
Swanage
Dorset
BH19
UK