Jewels of the Jurassic Coast Walk

Experience Overview

Beautifully varied and wonderfully unspoilt, Dorset's award-winning Jurassic Coast offers 95 miles of idyllic sandy beaches backed by ancient craggy cliffs and meadows carpeted with seasonal wildflowers. In 2001, it gained UNESCO recognition as England's first Natural World Heritage Site charting 185 million years of the earth's history, with rocks and fossils dating to Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous times. This 6-night Jurassic Coast walk is the perfect introduction to Dorset's wild and beautiful landscape, where the quietly rolling Purbeck Hills stand in stark contrast to the huge falcon patrolled chalk cliffs, and where every climb is rewarded with fantastic sweeping sea views. In the main, your route follows the coast-hugging long-distance South West Coast Path, pitching and swooping from one downland hollow to the next before a gentle descent into Lulworth Cove by way of the panoramic Burning Cliff and the world-famous rock-arch, Durdle Door. The 280-acre Durlston Country Park is a haven for wildlife (including rare red squirrels) and, with over 250 species of birds, is an ornithologist's paradise. On your final stretch of the Jurassic Coast walk, if you're lucky, you may spot bottlenose dolphins and playful seals emerging from the waves beyond Swanage where the procession of sculpted cliffs and towering chalk stacks known as Old Harry Rocks, marks the end of the Jurassic Coast. As well as outstanding natural beauty, the region is also rich in archaeology with ancient forts and crumbling castles proudly guarding quintessential rural villages tucked into tranquil corners and crammed with traditional sandstone cottages, tempting tearooms and atmospheric old coaching inns serving great local food. The places you'll be staying in are among the best in the region, including a hotel with excellent leisure facilities and within walking distance of the Georgian Esplanade in Weymouth and a family-run property that looks out toward Swanage bay. Breakfasts are included everywhere; with so many dining options on your doorstep, we've left other meals up to you.
Profile
— 6 nights in 3 to 4-star accommodation — 2 days point to point walking (3 optional walks) — UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast - England's first Natural World Heritage Site — Traditional seaside towns, spectacular bays and beaches, delightful English villages, world-renowned tea-rooms!
At a Glance
— 6 nights in 3 to 4-star accommodation — 2 days point to point walking (3 optional walks) — UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast - England's first Natural World Heritage Site — Traditional seaside towns, spectacular bays and beaches, delightful English villages, world-renowned tea-rooms!
Trip For You
This 6-night walk is the perfect introduction to Dorset's wild and beautiful landscape, where the quietly rolling Purbeck Hills stand in stark contrast to the huge falcon patrolled chalk cliffs, and where every climb is rewarded with fantastic sweeping sea views. In the main, your route follows the coast-hugging long-distance South West Coast Path, pitching and swooping from one downland hollow to the next before a gentle descent into Lulworth Cove by way of the panoramic Burning Cliff and the world-famous rock-arch, Durdle Door. The 280-acre Durlston Country Park is a haven for wildlife (including rare red squirrels) and, with over 250 species of birds, is an ornithologist's paradise. On your final stretch, if you're lucky, you may spot bottlenose dolphins and playful seals emerging from the waves beyond Swanage where the procession of sculpted cliffs and towering chalk stacks known as Old Harry Rocks, marks the end of the Jurassic Coast. This is a self-guided tour, as such there will be no group or tour leader and you are free to complete the walks at your own pace. We have suggested that 8yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference: http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf
Group Description
As this is a self-guided holiday, there is no group and no leader. This tour is hotel to hotel and is managed remotely by our sister company Headwater. The route notes and essential holiday information that you will receive before your holiday contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number. Please note: the walking and luggage transfers included in this tour are subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply if there is only 1 person travelling on a departure date.
Eating Drinking
Full English breakfasts are included; with so many dining options on your doorstep, we've left other meals up to you. Dorset has a long history of farming and fishing and the choice and freshness of the local seafood is spectacular. Other local produce comes from the lush pastures and fertile agricultural land and there are more and more local farm shops and farmers markets offering foodie delights from fruit and vegetables straight from the garden to freshly baked pies, bread, organic meats and plenty of other treats such as Dorset Knob biscuits, Portland Dough Cakes and tongue-tingling Dorset Naga chillies! Dorset is also home to some of the UK's best independent breweries and a handful of vineyards that produce some excellent beer, cider and wine (still and sparkling).
Transportation
Your luggage will be transported between the hotels by taxi or minibus. The Sandbanks chain ferry on day 5 for walkers is free of charge and no ticket is required.
Weather Information
From May through to October temperatures are pleasant and some rainfall is to be expected. The warmest months are July and August with an average temperature being 17 degrees. The best time for sea swimming is in September when the sea is at its warmest (average sea temperature 17 degrees).
Spending Money
— You will need money for lunches, snacks, drinks, dinners and entry to any sites you wish to visit. Lunches can be inexpensive if you buy them from local shops and make up a picnic, however if you stop at a pub you can easily spend £15 each. Dinner can also vary in price between £15 in a pub to £30+ in a restaurant. — Corfe Castle is a National Trust property, members of the National Trust will get free entry so don't forget your members card if you have one. — We would recommend budgeting £20‐50 a day for lunches and dinners and allow an additional £10 a day for any extras.Spa facilities are available at the Haven hotel (payable locally). — Allow £15 for a taxi to Poole station at the end of your holiday. — For customers travelling by car, car parking is available in Weymouth for around £38.

Highlights