THE EASY SHORT WALK FROM LULWORTH COVE TO DURDLE DOOR: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE!
LOOKING THE EASIEST WALK FROM LULWORTH COVE TO DURDLE DOOR?
LULWORTH COVE TO DURDLE DOOR WALK:
A STEP BY STEP GUIDE!
© Google Maps
HOW LONG IS THIS LULWORTH COVE TO DURDLE DOOR WALK?
If you walk straight from Lulworth car park to Durdle Door, following the signposted route, it takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes to reach Durdle Door (one way). As you will be returning the same way, this will be another 30 to 40 minutes.
This all depends on how fast you walk and the amount of stops.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THIS LULWORTH COVE TO DURDLE DOOR WALK?
The very beginning of the walk (the first 5 to 10 minutes starting from Lulworth Cove car park) is slightly challenging, with numerous wide steps heading straight up to the top of the hill from Lulworth Cove car park.
You’ll be glad to know that once you reach the top of the hill, the walk is relatively flat along the clifftop until it descends down towards Durdle Door beach in the final 5 minutes.
POINT 1
From Lulworth Cove Car Park, head East towards the wide steps leading up the hilltop, marking the beginning of the ‘South West Coastal Path’ towards Durdle Door.
As you take breaks up the hill (believe us, you will!) do remember to look back towards the car park for epic views of Lulworth Cove in the distance!
POINT 2
Reaching the top of the hill, catch your breath before continuing the walk for approximately 10 minutes along a flat, chalky gravel path tracing the coastline.
This was our favourite part of the whole Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door walk, the views were absolutely spell binding!
POINT 3
After around 5 to 10 minutes walking flat along this scenic clifftop path, you will reach a wooden gate to walk through.
On your right, you will see a Holiday Park, and on your left a downhill gravel path heading down towards the coast.
Obviously, take the left gravel path to head down for your final stretch towards Durdle Door.
POINT 4
As you descend down the gravel path, keep looking down at the coastline to spot the glorious Man O’War beach, located just before Durdle Door beach!
There are stone steps down to this beach (opposite the steps to Durdle Door beach) should you want to take a closer look!
POINT 5
Woohoo – You’ve made the 1.1 miles to Durdle Door! Take in those awe inspiring vistas from the look out point.
If you fancy a closer look, we recommend heading down the stone steps to down onto Durdle Door’s pebble beach. It’s worth noting that these stone steps are irregular in shape and height, so be sure to take your time!
Once you’re finished, simply walk back the way you came!
LULWORTH COVE PARKING
PARKING FOR THE LULWORTH COVE TO DURDLE DOOR WALK
The best and most convenient parking is the official Lulworth Cove car park (Postcode: BH20 5RS).
It is primarily a large sealed car park, with an additional field next door to accommodate overflow in busier peak times.
It is worth noting there is also another car park closer to Durdle Door which is a 10 minute drive from Lulworth Cove, however the car park at Lulworth has a lot more available facilities, and you’ll miss the epic sea views on route if you park here!
HOW MUCH IS LULWORTH COVE CAR PARK?
The parking charges at both car parks are the same. It is £5.20 for 4 hours parking or a flat £10 for a full day. This is applicable to cars only. Motorbikes are £1, and larger motor homes are £15.
HOW TO PAY AT LULWORTH COVE CAR PARK
To pay at Lulworth Cove car park, you will need to download and register the JustPark parking app to pay online.
You will need to follow the app instructions, entering the unique parking meter number, inserting your car registration and your card details for payment.
FACILITIES AT LULWORTH COVE CAR PARK
At Lulworth Cove car park, you will find ample facilities and conveniences to enjoy. This includes free public toilets, a large gift shop selling all-sorts from guidebooks to fossils and small ice cream, food and drink shops.
There is also a free Visitors Centre, open 10am to 5pm most days (4pm in Winter). It is stationed here to offer helpful advice plus intriguing displays and fun facts about the area.
LULWORTH COVE CAR PARK TO LULWORTH COVE DIRECTIONS
Before you complete your Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door walk, make sure you visit the actual Lulworth Cove first!
From the Lulworth Cove car park, it is an easy 5 minute coastal trail to the cove, pictured below:
Leaving the car park, take a right down Britwell Drive road as you pass the Visitors Centre. At this end of this short road, you will see a clearly signposted gravel path, which takes you to Lulworth Cove views in just a few minutes!
You can also head down to Lulworth Cove beach itself from here, though the decline is slightly steep, so take your time!
LULWORTH COVE & DURDLE DOOR PACKING LIST
- Loose comfortable clothing for walking, such as tank tops, cotton shorts or leggings. If you visit in the colder months, pack additional layers.
- Comfortable lightweight walking shoes with good grip. Make sure you wear boots or shoes you don’t mind getting dirty, as they will end up being covered in white chalk!
- Refillable water bottle.
- High factor sun cream for warmer months.
- Sun protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses for warmer months.
- Powered battery pack (and cable) for your smart phone.
- A lightweight rain poncho just in case – you never know with our unpredictable English weather!
LULWORTH COVE & DURDLE DOOR:
“KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” FAQ’S
WHERE IS LULWORTH COVE?
Lulworth Cove is an idyllic pebbled cove set within the dramatic UNESCO Jurassic Coast of Dorset (South England), formed from over ten of thousands of years of sea erosion. Incredibly, it attracts over 500,000 visitors per year!
The closest village to the cove is the small yet picturesque West Lulworth, which you drive through before reaching the Lulworth Cove Visitors Centre, facilities and Lulworth Cove car park a few minutes later.
IS LULWORTH COVE WORTH VISITING?
Absolutely, it would be a crime not to visit Lulworth Cove! This secluded horse-shoe shaped cove provides a quaint beach to relax, crystal clear calm waters to swim, and ample fun activities such as boat trips or even kayaks to rent!
Spend a perfect afternoon strolling across the chalky white coastline, spotting curious geological rock formations whilst indulging on a delicious ice cream.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO THE LULWORTH COVE TO DURDLE DOOR WALK?
The ideal time of year to visit Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door would be early Spring or beginning of Autumn. This means you miss the intense crowds who come flocking during peak Summer, but still have a chance for warmer weather.
The ideal time of day to visit Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door is either early morning or late afternoons. This guarantees that the majority of groups from coach tours will have left.
HOW TO GET TO LULWORTH COVE?
The easiest way to get to Lulworth Cove is by self-driving your own vehicle. This option allows for total flexibility and freedom to arrive and leave whenever you want.
If driving isn’t an option, there are also pre-arranged daily coach trips from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door which you can pick up from Bournemouth!
ARE LULWORTH COVE AND DURDLE DOOR IN THE SAME PLACE?
Yes, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are in very close proximity to one another. In fact, we detail above the step-by-step guide of the easy 30 to 35 minute walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door, following a short section of England’s infamous South West Coastal Path.
DURDLE DOOR FUN FACTS
- Durdle Door began to form over 140 million years ago, slowly carved to what it is today by the movements of the sea!
- It is called “Durdle Door” purely due to its uncanny resemble to an open door, sat in the ocean. The word “Durdle” simply means “drill” in the old English Language.
- Next time you watch Nanny McPhee, keep your eyes peeled for the iconic arch! Durdle Door beach is a film location in the picnic scene of the first movie.
- At the top of the arch, you will see clear doughnut-shaped imprints and marks. Incredibly, these are the fossil remains of an ancient forest! Geologists count on fossil fragments from Durdle Door to discover information of a time before human civilisation!
This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!
Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com
A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.
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