Wild and remote beaches on the Jurassic coast
You have to walk a bit to get to these, but its not too far and well worth it. We have often enjoyed spectacular days out by taking a disposable barbecue with sausages, bread rolls and some wine and soft drinks for a beach barbeque as well as exploring rock pools, fossil hunting and swimming in the sea.
Pevril Point / Durlston Bay
20 mins walk (extend to 90 mins walk) This is in Swanage, but feels like a different world. The beach is tucked away behind Pevril Point. You see the boats and tidal race at Pevril Point. You can turn it into a circular walk by taking the path back up to Durlston through the trees and then walk back to Swanage on the Downs Chapmans Pool 10 mins drive and 1 hour walk This is difficult to reach, but quiet and stunning when you get there. It is best at low tide. The whole cove is strewn with fossils. It is quite a steep walk down and an even steeper walk back, but very remote and beautiful once you get there Kimmeridge 25 mins drive and 2 mins walk This is a popular fossil hunting site and rocky cove where youcan get your car directly to the cliffs. The drive is very special through country lanes, with a few striking views of the coastal scenery. |
|
Tyneham / Worbarrow Bay
30 mins drive - 20 mins walk This is an interesting piece of recent social and military history and one of most dramatic unspoilt bays on the south coast. It is part of the army ranges and is only open to the public on weekends, bank holidays and school holidays. You can drive to Tyneham village where you can see a village in which life was brought to an abrupt halt in 1940 when the land was appropriated by the government for army training. They promised to return the village to its population after the war. The promise was broken. The village is now like an open-air museum. Worbarrow bay is a 20 minute walk, downhill from the village. The bay is beautiful. The water is always refereshing. |
Mupe Bay and the Fossil Forest
40 mins drive and 1 hour walk This is quite a substantial walk and climb up a hill, but you are rewarded with remote and beautiful scenery and some unusual fossilised tree stumps. At the end of the walk you will find an attractive quiet bay with good swimming. Durdle Door 45 minutes drive and 15 minutes walk This is the most photographed bit of coastal scenery in Dorset, so you will not be alone when you go. Despite the crowds it is still very special. Adjacent to Durdle Door, you will find Man o' War cove which offers some good swimming and jumping off the rocks. Lulworth Cove 40 minutes drive and 2 minutes walk The cove is very striking and very popular. It is also worth walking up to Stair hole, which is a mini Lulworth Cove in the making. The beach is shingle and the water is crystal clear and offers invigorating swimming. There is also Lulworth castle nearbywith numerous events taking place during the holidays. |