Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are two scenic destinations on the Jurassic Coast near Dorset. They are situated in the village of West Lulworth.
The end of the South West coast falls in Dorset, a landmark spot for beautiful beaches. Every year, numerous tourists visit Lulworth and Durdle Door to marvel at the limestone formations that have existed since the Ice Age. Most people walk through West Lulworth, which is a good experience. But if you want to make the most of your travel, consider renting a paddle boat or kayak from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door.
The natural beauty of these two places makes travellers frequent the South West Coast Path. From the small village of West Lulworth, you can travel to Lulworth Cove to explore the distinct landforms, which include Stair Hole and Lulworth Crumple.
Beach lovers and nature enthusiasts will have plenty of things to do at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. From taking a wonderful walk down to the beach to visiting the enchanted castle, both Lulworth and Durdle Door offer numerous activities.
This blog explores the top things to do in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. The area also boasts the picturesque Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to Do in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove for Nature Lovers
Lulworth Cove is one of two villages in West Lulworth. The South West Coast Path also includes East Lulworth.
People visiting Dorset will immediately love Lulworth Cove’s remarkable beauty. The horseshoe-shaped bay and alluring scenery make it a nature lover’s paradise!
As you’re exploring the local areas of South West Coast Path, you need to head to Lulworth, and from there, you can travel to Durdle Door. The place offers a myriad of things to do for nature lovers:
1. Walk from the cove to Durdle Door
A walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door is something all nature lovers will dig. Emerging from the sea, you can witness the majestic rocky arch. It might not be the best trail if you’re looking for gentle walks.
But, it’s all worth the effort once visitors reach the viewpoint. Though the first stretch is tough, and the incline may seem forever, you will love the views from the point.
2. See the Landforms up close
While wondering what to do in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, you can always go to these destinations to learn about landforms.
Both Lulworth and Durdle Door feature beautiful landforms that evoke interest in aspiring geologists. It should be a must-visit travel destination for anyone who wants to connect with nature. The stretch from Lulworth to Durdle Door has captivating rock formations. You will come across interesting spots, including Mupe Bay, Fossil Forest, and Man O War Bay.
Walking through the coast, you can witness the rock formations progressively broadening, creating unique and beautiful scenery that deserves to be photographed!
3. Explore the Fossil Forest
To explore the wonders of Fossil Forest, you need to go back a little, say, 150 million years. It is when the Portland Stone was formed.During its formation, the entire world experienced a drop in sea levels. The place, now underwater, was colonised by plants and trees.
A forest developed on the Army Ranges, located in East Lulworth. However, due to extreme rainfall, the area was again flooded. The rains killed and decayed these trees and possible wildlife. Over the years, the deposition of calcareous sediment preserved the dead trees, roots, and trunks, creating fossils. Hence, the place is called Fossil Forest.
If you’re an explorer who wants to connect with nature with an interesting fact, don’t miss out on this spot.
4. Soak in the Natural Gift of West Lulworth and Durdle Door
West Lulworth to Durdle Door is a beautiful trail along the Dorset coast. As a nature lover, you will want to sit in a quiet place and soak in the magic of nature.
That’s exactly what West Lulworth and Durdle Door has to offer. You can take a stroll amidst the forest and reach the beach. These quiet walks will make you happy, especially when travelling alone or with your partner.
You can spend some time relishing cream tea while you enjoy the views and watch people from the viewing zone up along the trail.
Also Read: Where Is Durdle Door? A Guide to Finding Dorset Iconic Landmark
Things to Do in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove for Beach Lovers
The natural limestone arch of Durdle Door and the majestic bay of Lulworth Cove are widely popular travel hotspots for beach lovers. Along the coast path, people can stroll gently or swim in the crystal waters.
If you have never been able to explore natural pools, then Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are where you can make your dream come true.
The following are the things beach lovers should do at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Pool:
1. Take a Stroll down the shingle beach in Durdle Door
Covered with pristine turquoise waters, Durdle Door is known for its natural rock formations. The place has naturally formed white cliffs, creating unique pebble forms and caves.
If you soak in the natural beauty, taking a stroll down this shingle beach will be a lifetime experience.
At Durdle Door, you can experience more pebbles than sand. Thus, you must wear comfortable shoes to walk and see the beautiful rocks and caves covering the beach.
2. Enjoy the panoramic views from Man O’ War Beach
A hidden gem in Durdle Door is Man O’War Beach. Most people who come to experience Durdle Door head straight to the archway, which forms white cliffs of limestone rocks. However, Man O’War Beach is also a great place for beach lovers.
The beach is on the left of Durdle Door, right behind the rocky archway. From Man O’War, you can hike and witness the alluring panoramic views of the blue waters and sandy beaches.
Since it is a lesser-known place in Durdle Door, not many tourists frequent the place. It is secluded and ideal for couples who share their love for the beach and adventure.
Go for a paddle ride or chill by the bay; everything will seem magical if you’re with the right company.
3. Go for a paddle boat ride in the Lulworth Cove
Lulworth Cove, a horseshoe-shaped bay on the South Coast, is a popular beach destination. This beautiful spot is situated at the foot of West Lulworth village. If you’re tired of all the short trails and walks, unwind and glance at the crystal clear waters covering the cove.
When you travel to Lulworth Cove, you may wonder, “Why are the waters so sparkly and blue?” Well, we have the answer. The water surrounding the bay results from the last ice age, when the glaciers melted away, forming this beautiful beach. The crystal clear beach destination of Lulworth Cove makes it a great spot for paddle boarders. You can go for a fun paddle ride amidst the cove and look at the bay’s beauty.
If paddle boating seems too much work, how about snorkelling? The cove also presents a great spot for snorkelling. Try out this water activity and see the beautiful sea creatures that Lulworth Cove beholds.
Things to Do in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove for Photographers
The Jurassic Coast seems like a treat for photography lovers. It is a major stretch of the English Channel, and the iconic Durdle Door is situated on this coast.
Photographers, if you’re planning a trip to Dorset, you cannot ignore its limestone formations. You also need to travel to Lulworth Cove and capture its natural beauty.
1. Photograph the unique landforms
The archway of Durdle Door has to be the most famous limestone rock formation in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Visiting Dorset as a photographer and not travelling to Durdle Door would be a big mistake!
Of course, you wouldn’t want to do that. Hence, take your professional DSLR or perhaps any other good-quality camera and take snaps of this beautiful destination.
Take your family to this iconic location and snap a few pictures for the perfect holiday postcard.
If the weather is in your favour and you can make it before sunrise, you can take some magnificent sunrise pictures from Durdle Door.
You can also take pictures of the golden hour from the amazing viewpoints tucked in Durdle Door, which include Man O’ War Beach and Bat Head/Butter Rock.
Everything about that photograph will be extraordinary! It can be a great photography subject for both amateurs and professionals.
2. Take Snaps of the Stair Hole
For both amateur and professional photographers, Lulworth covers some great places. Be it for the Instagram or blog page, take your camera and travel to the base of West Lulworth.
Yes, your guess is right! We are talking about Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole.
Stair Hole is a small part of the secluded and calm Lulworth Cove. The place sits on the Jurassic Coast, famous for its peculiar landforms. Additionally, you can make an itinerary for the Jurassic Coast and make the most of the place.
Here, you can capture the beautiful gifts of nature all at once or perhaps take separate pictures to create a thumbnail for your blog.
The place features shimmery blue waters and rock pools. Sunrise is the perfect time to capture panoramic views of the coast, landforms, and water bodies.
3. Capture the Beauty of the Lulworth Castle
After the nature photography, you can consider visiting the 17th Century Lulworth Castle in the Lulworth Estate.
Thomas Howard built this beautiful castle, and years later, it has become one of the famous tourist destinations in Lulworth and Dorset.
It is an unusual site from which you can get a peak of the Lulworth Cove and the Jurassic Coast. With the right camera, you can capture amazing backdrops of the castle.
The grey stone walls, stair entrances, and mighty castle ceilings make the castle a picturesque location in Lulworth. These details make the castle a perfect picture for a holiday postcard!
Things to Do in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove for Active Explorers
Active explorers often look for adventures and challenging trails to walk to. To get the best of both worlds, visiting Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove will not disappoint you.
Are you ready to do something fun and challenging? Then pack your bags and head to Dorset to explore this beautiful county.
You can explore the top 10 pretty places to visit in Dorset, including Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
1. Explore the Kimmeridge Bay
From Durdle Door, you can make a short drive to Kimmeridge Bay. When you reach the place, you will be surrounded by fossil cliffs.It is a great spot for trail walking, snorkelling, and rock pooling. Let the adrenaline inside you flow and participate in these activities.
Visitors cannot access the beach because the water level rises during high tide. However, you can explore the beach during low tide and look at the unusual rock formations.
If you want to soak in the beauty of the huge landscape, you can go to Clavell Tower’s viewpoint and relish the experience.
2. Listen to the wartime stories from the locals at Tyneham Village
Active explorers are usually keen on visiting the local area more than popular tourist places. The abandoned Tyneham Village is one such destination. People lived in the village before World War II. The nearby villages can provide more in-depth details about Tyneham Village.
The small village was a military training spot for the Second World War. Years later, the preserved buildings and gunshot marks on them will transport you to the bone-chilling wartime era.
3. Cliff hiking in the Jurassic Coast region
For adventure mongers and active explorers, hiking through the long stretch of the Jurassic Coast can be a lifetime experience. The rocky cliffs of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are worth the hikes. If you’re wondering if the trails will be challenging, you’re right.
That’s why wear comfortable shoes so that your feet don’t hurt. While hiking through these spots, you can capture and witness the majestic landforms, rock pools, and the azure blue waters of the sea.
Things to Do in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove for Families and Kids
There’s a little for everyone visiting Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. If you think limestone landforms and beaches are the only things in this part of Dorset, it’s time to explore other nearby places.
When travelling with family and kids, you must include places that excite them. The following are the things to do with family and kids at Durdle Door and Lulworth.
1. Explore the adventure parks with kids
Sitting quietly is not something a kid normally loves. Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove offer children’s playgrounds to pump up their spirits. These parks are not like the usual amusement parks. They are set amidst woodland and feature climbing frames and ballparks.
Take your kids to these parks, as they also have the area’s botanical gems.
2. Take your kids on a walk and look out for wildlife across the coast
Kids will be interested in more than the beach and landforms; they will be interested in the sea creatures and other animals inhabiting Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
You can look out for puffins, cormorants and gulls along the coastlines and cliffs of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
Additionally, you can take your kids for a delightful snorkelling experience. It will allow them to get acquainted with marine creatures on the coastlines.
3. Visit the Lulworth Heritage Centre
Located inside the Lulworth Estate in West Lulworth, we have the Heritage Centre. To know the interesting history and facts about the place, you can take your kids to this destination. The centre boasts the rock formations of the cove through videos and exhibitions.
From intriguing geology to local history, the Lulworth Heritage Centre presents it all. On your way back, you can buy some souvenirs from the in-house store.
Best time to visit the Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove
Are you planning on visiting Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove? Then, mark May to September as the best time for this trip.
The winter months are freezing in Dorset, especially the coastlines of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Late spring to early autumn is perfect for comfortable exploration.
During the summer holidays, expect more crowds at these places. Even if you go for treks and hikes, you need a vehicle to move from one spot of the stretch to another.
Car parking lots during the summer season are usually jam-packed. Hence, get your spot fast.
If you want to avoid the crowds, you can travel to more secluded places like Lulworth Cove and its adjoining regions.
Why Choose Sleeping Bear Hotels To Visit the Iconic Places?
With the alluring clear blue waters, unique landforms, and green countryside paths, you’re in for a treat at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. The South West Coast Path, featuring these two destinations, harbours many scenic locations.
These travel destinations are best suited for all kinds of travellers. Whether you are an adventurous solo explorer or a family man who likes taking the kids and spouse on a trip, you will find many things to do in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
While planning a soothing travel, Sleeping Bear Hotels is here to make your stay worth remembering. We provide you with the basics but make you feel at home. We have many accommodation options, from single en-suite to standard double rooms.
Have you come for a work vacation and want to explore the Dorset Coast? We offer workspaces for you to work and rest as you require.
Browse through our website to reserve your stay!
