Gently Along The Jurassic Coast

DAY ONE - Arrive Transfer from Dorchester or Wareham station to Studland. DAY TWO - Studland to Swanage 5.5 miles (8 km) Ascent 490 ft (150 m) You start your coastal adventure at Studland Bay where the golden sands stretch for over a mile, walking one of the most beautiful stretches of the Isle of Purbeck. First stop is Old Harry Rocks standing off Handfast Point before a gentle climb to Ballard Down for views over Poole Harbour before you drop down to the seaside town of Swanage. Stroll along the prom, visit the museum or take the steam train for a trip to Corfe Castle. DAY THREE - Kingston to Tyneham 5.5 miles (8 km) Ascent 600 ft (185 m) Transfer to Kingston, perched on its hillside above the coast and then walk to the impressive viewing point at Swyre Head. From here you take an easy, ridgeway walk to reach the village of Kimmeridge where you could visit The Etches Collection, a remarkable fossil museum created from one man's lifetime of fossil-hunting along the coast. From here you take a ridgeway walk with views across Kimmeridge Bay. Keeping on you join the coast path and then drop down to the village of Tyneham, frozen in time since it was requisitioned during the second world war. Wander the abandoned streets and visit the restored village school and church to learn about life in the village before the residents left forever. (Please note that this section is closed most weekdays as it passes through the army firing ranges.) Transfer to Lulworth Cove to visit the pretty horseshoe bay and find your accommodation. DAY FOUR - Durdle Door to Osmington 6 miles (9.75 km) Ascent 620 ft (190 m) Today you get to see possibly the most photographed and famous site in Dorset, Durdle Door with its huge limestone arch. The coast path here is incredibly steep and strenuous, so your route is going to take you along a ridgeway to take in views from above Durdle Door and then on, along the ridge to join the cliff path again at White Nothe. From here it is a steady walk down to the pretty, pebbled cove at Ringstead with its quiet beach. From here you follow an undulating path to reach Osmington Mills and your accommodation for the night. DAY FIVE - Portland 5.5 miles (8 km) Ascent 550 ft (170 m) Today’s walk follows the coast path around the atmospheric island of Portland, unlike anywhere else in the county. For centuries stone has been quarried here for some of the country’s most notable buildings (e.g. Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathedral) which gives the landscape a slightly surreal atmosphere at times. This rocky path visits Portland Bill with it soaring lighthouse and a fascinating sculpture park with over sixty sculptures, including ones by Anthony Gormley. The views along the Chesil Bank are magnificent and look out for rare migratory birds. Portland is the first landfall for many of them and is also home to over half of Britain’s 57 species of butterfly. DAY SIX - Portesham to West Bexington 5.5 miles (8 km) Ascent 290 ft (90 m) From today, the coast changes from the limestone of the Purbecks to the long shingle bank which is Chesil Beach. The shingle is hard going, so you are going to walk the ridgeway above the coast with views over The Fleet lagoon and the village of Abbotsbury with St. Catherine's Chapel perched on the hill above. Passing over a small Iron Age hillfort, you finally drop down to the seaside hamlet of West Bexington and Chesil Beach itself. Transfer by car to your accommodation at Bridport or West Bay. DAY SEVEN - Golden Cap to Charmouth 4 miles (6.5 km) Ascent 735 ft (225 m) Today's walk is short but what it lacks in distance it makes up for in ascent with one reasonable climb. You will start with a walk through the woods on Langdon Hill to reach the foot of Golden Cap. As the highest point on the south coast, this would be quite a climb, so your route skirts around the bottom of the hill to reach the peaceful ruins of St. Gabriel's chapel. From here the path undulates along the cliff path with one brief climb towards Stonebarrow before an easy saunder down to the beach at Charmouth. From here you will transfer to your comfortable hotel in the lovely seaside town of Lyme Regis. DAY EIGHT - Time for home! Transfer to Axminster or Dorchester station. (Unless you would like to add a day to explore the town, visit the fascinating museum or take a guided fossil hunt.)