Walking Dorset's Jurassic Coast

DAY ONE - Studland to Kingston 14 Miles - Moderate - Shorter option of 9 miles or 7 miles (22.5 / 14.5 km) We start our week at Studland Bay where the golden sands stretch for over a mile and this is where you set off on your coastal adventure, walking one of the most beautiful stretches of the Isle of Purbeck. First stop is Old Harry Rocks standing off Handfast Point before climbing Ballard Down for views over Poole Harbour before you drop down to the seaside town of Swanage. You pass the Anvil Point lighthouse and the wonderfully named Dancing Ledge (look out for Puffins in the early summer) and interesting caves at Winspit. From here you climb to St. Adhelm's Head with its ancient chapel before skirting Chapman's Pool to climb Houns Tout. From here you head inland along an impressive escarpment to your accommodation at Kingston. DAY TWO - Kingston to Lulworth Cove 12.5 miles - Strenuous - Shorter options of 9.5 miles or 6 miles (20 / 15.5 km) This morning you head back to the coast, via the impressive viewing point at Swyre Head. From here you drop down for an easy walk along undulating cliff-top paths 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 Kimmeridge you set off towards Warbarrow, passing the evocatively-named Brandy Bay and you then have the opportunity to take a detour to visit Tyneham, a village frozen in time from when 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. From here you walk on to Lulworth Cove, stopping to explore the Fossil Forest on the way. (Please note that this section is closed most weekdays as it passes through the army firing ranges.) DAY THREE - Lulworth Cove to Weymouth 11.5 Miles - Strenuous Today you visit possibly the most photographed and famous site in Dorset, Durdle Door with its huge limestone arch. Expect crowds! However, you soon leave them behind as you walk on along one of the hilliest stretches of the whole walk before dropping down to the pretty, pebbled cove at Ringstead with its quiet beach, ideal for a quick dip. From here you follow the coast to 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 FOUR - Portland 14 Miles - Easy - Shorter option of 9 miles 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 FIVE - Weymouth to Abbotsbury 11.5 miles - Easy - Shorter option of 8.5 miles From today, the coast changes from the limestone of the Purbecks to the long shingle bank which is Chesil Beach. First you pass behind The Fleet lagoon which is now a nature reserve with an interesting population of wading birds before rising to the village of Abbotsbury with its medieval abbey remains and streets of pretty thatched cottages. If time permits, call in at the 600 year-old swannery to see the world’s only managed colony of free-flying mute swans. DAY SIX - Abbotsbury to Bridport 11.5 miles - Easy - Shorter option of 7 miles You start today by climbing to St. Catherine’s Chapel to take in views along the Chesil before dropping down to start an almost entirely level walk for the day. You pass West Bexington and Burton Bradstock before reaching the busy harbour at West Bay which was the location for the cliff scenes in Broadchurch. Here you can watch the boats come and go with an ice cream before heading up into the vibrant market town of Bridport with its community of artists and lively Saturday market. DAY SEVEN - Bridport to Lyme Regis 12 miles - Strenuous - Shorter option of 7.5 miles The final stretch of your walk takes you to Lyme Regis via Golden Cap, the highest point on the South coast for some magnificent views, with beaches at Eype, Seatown and Charmouth along the way. Lyme Regis is famous for its fossil hunters and the Cobb which protects the pretty harbour from Atlantic gales. A beautiful end to an amazing walking holiday.