You can walk this route at your own pace. If you have already completed most of the South West Coast Path, then you'll have your walking legs and may want to cover the Dorset stretch in fewer days. We are happy to accommodate this but below is our standard, seven day itinerary. DAY ONE - Lyme Regis to Bridport 12 miles - Strenuous The fstart of your walk takes you from Lyme Regis to Bridport via Golden Cap, the highest point on the South coast for some magnificent views, with beaches at Charmouth, Seatown and Eype along the way. Lyme Regis is famous for its fossil hunters and the Cobb which protects the pretty harbour from Atlantic gales and Bridport's harbour at West Bay is famous as the filming location for Broadchurch. DAY TWO - Bridport to Abbotsbury 11.5 miles - Easy Setting off from the busy harbour at West Bay, you start your walk with a walk past the famous East Cliff to arrive at Burton Bradstock with its popular beach. You then have an almost enirely level walk for the day before climbing to St. Catherine’s Chapel to take in views along the Chesil before dropping down to the pretty, golden-stoned cottages of Abbotsbury with its imposing tythe barn. DAY FOUR - Abbotsbury to Weymouth 11.5 miles - Easy Today you follow the Chesil Beach for an almost enirely flat walk, passing The Fleet lagoon which is now a nature reserve with an interesting population of wading birds. If time permits, call in at the 600 year-old swannery before you set off, to see the world’s only managed colony of free-flying mute swans. At the end of the day, you arrive in Weymouth, a town of two parts – the kiss-me-quick sea front (with its beautiful Georgian architecture) and the ancient harbour, lined with colourful houses and busy with fishing boats and yachts. DAY FIVE - Portland 14 Miles - Easy Today’s walk is circular, following 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. There is much to see en-route, with forts, castles, hidden coves, churches, 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 - Weymouth to Lulworth Cove 11.5 Miles - Strenuous Today you will walk one of the hilliest stretches of the Dorset coast, passing the pretty, pebbled cove at Ringstead with its quiet beach (ideal for a quick dip) before a visit to possibly the most photographed and famous site in Dorset, Durdle Door with its huge limestone arch. Expect crowds! From here you rise to the cliff tops to take the final walk down to the pretty horse-shoe bay at Lulworth Cove which is famous for its geology. DAY SEVEN - Lulworth Cove to Worth Matravers 12.5 miles - Strenuous This morning you set off on what is possibly the most strenuous but undeniably magnificent stretch of the coast. Climbing from Lulworth Cove, you drop down to explore the Fossil Forest before rising again to the ridgeway above. Passing over Flowers Barrow, an Iron Age hillfort with fabulous views, you drop down to the famous, deserted 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. Rising again to Tyneham Cap you then drop down to reach Kimmeridge. A Clavell tower overlooks the bay which is a marine wildlife reserve with the best rock-pooling and snorkelling in Dorset. There may not be any sand but you can swim off the ledges and it is a fascinating bay. From here you take an easy walk along undulating cliff paths before rising again to reach Worth Matravers with its famous and popular pub. DAY SEVEN - Worth Matravers to Studland 12.5 Miles - Moderate For your final day, you drop back down to the coast to Winspit with its interesting caves and walk to Anvil Point lighthouse, passing the wonderfully named Dancing Ledge. A salt-water pool has been carved from the rock here, perfect for a cooling dip and look out for Puffins in the early summer. From here you pass through Durlston Country Park to reach the pretty seaside town of Swanage with its long, sandy beach. The final stretch is along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Isle of Purbeck. Climbing to Ballard Down, you then pass Old Harry Rocks standing off Handfast Point before and easy stroll into Studland and the end of your walk.