
Jewels of the Jurassic Coast Walk
Itinerary
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.
Tour program
Arrive in Weymouth
Portland Walk (breakfast)
Weymouth to Lulworth/Corfe (breakfast)
Corfe to Swanage (breakfast)
At Swanage (breakfast)
At Swanage (Old Harry Rocks) (breakfast)
Leave Swanage (breakfast)
Tour Details
accommodation
All accommodation on this trip is 3 or 4 star. The places you'll be staying at are among the best in the region, including a 3 star hotel with a leisure club just a few minutes' walk from Weymouth's seafront esplanade and a lovely family-run B&B in the centre of historic Swanage. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration.
flights
Flights are not included.
guide
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.
insurance
meals
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).
optional
Other activities and services are not included.
others
Luggage transfers between hotels
Headwater Navigation App
— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement) — Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
transport
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.
Good to know
Currency
Pound Sterling
Inglaterra
Plugs and adapters
