It is sited by the River Stour at the point where it flows out of the Blackmore Vale through a steep, narrow gap between the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase.

It is a venue for entertainment events and social gatherings, and is also a business conference centre for the wider community of North Dorset.

Durweston parish covers 1,800 acres (730 hectares) and extends west from the river over chalk hills,[5] reaching an altitude of about 190 m (620 ft).

[6][8] Durweston is one of the last places in the area, if not the last, to maintain a tradition known as "shroving", a regional juvenile begging custom of obscure origin.

[9] Every Shrove Tuesday children from Durweston Primary School process around the village during the morning, calling on local people, singing songs and giving flowers.

A coastal minesweeper called HMS Durweston was launched at the Dorset Yacht Company’s Hamworthy yard on 18 August 1955.