Self-guided walking
5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Headwater
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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 5-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 lovely 19th century mansion in the centre of historic Swanage. Breakfasts are included everywhere; with so many dining options on your doorstep, we've left other meals up to you.
Varied walking mostly on the South West Coast Path but with sections through open meadows and along country lanes. Some steep, but relatively short, ascents and descents along with some clifftop walking, but a head for height is not necessary.
Arrive in Weymouth and take a taxi (5 mins, payable locally) to your hotel close to the town's splendid Georgian Esplanade. Stroll the amazing sands, visit the bustling 17th century harbour or take a taxi (5 mins) to the 16th century Sandsfoot Castle - one of Henry VIII's Device Forts.
You stay at Hotel Rembrandt.
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Situated just a few minutes' walk from Weymouth's seafront esplanade, beautiful sandy beach and town centre, the Hotel Rembrandt, part of the Best Western group, offers 78 comfortable rooms with contemporary decor. All rooms offer an ensuite bathroom, tea and coffee-making facilities, 24-hour room service, flat screen TV and fibre Wi-Fi.
Guests have complimentary use of the hotel's Leisure Club, an ideal place to relax that features a heated swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room, spa bath and sun bed. For those aching muscles, there is also a spa treatment room (open Mon-Sat) and a choice of massage and health & beauty treatments (payable locally).
After plenty of sea air to swell your appetite, the hotel's Gallery Restaurant offers wholesome, freshly prepared dishes using locally sourced ingredients. The Gallery Bar is ideal for pre- or after-dinner drinks.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Take a short (11 mins) bus transfer to join one of the most scenic sections of the magnificent 630-mile long South West Coast Path. With the dramatic white chalk cliffs as your backdrop, you follow the classic smugglers' route down to picturesque Osmington where the aptly named 13th century Smugglers' Inn does great coffee! A short climb to the top of Burning Cliff is rewarded with the most fabulous views of the fossil-filled Jurassic Coast before continuing on to Durdle Door - one of the most photographed rock arches in the world. Today's final stretch hugs the coast down into gorgeous Lulworth Cove - a great place for lunch, a swim or a journey back through 185 million years of history at the renowned Heritage Centre. A pre-arranged taxi will collect you for the 20-minute journey to Corfe, described as one of the most beautiful villages in England, where you stay overnight.
You stay at Alford House or Olivers or Mortons Manor.
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Dating back to the 17th century Alford House has previously also served as the grocer's and has now been tastefully refurbished into a B&B where the rooms make a feature of the old stone walls. There is also a sitting room/dining room at the property with a large selection of local maps and guides. The history of Corfe Village is inseparably linked to the castle, whose slighted ruin dominates the surrounding area.
Situated in the postcard pretty, historic village of Corfe in the shadow of the incredible castle ruins is this small, friendly, family run B&B. The guest accommodation was built circa 1833 from the fine grey Purbeck stone you can see throughout the village and has worn many hats in its 180 years of life. It has been a tea room, a grocers and a fine crystal shop amongst other things, but now it is a traveller's treasure in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Rooms are all en suite and are furnished to a high standard.
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Mortons Manor is a beautiful 16th century Grade 2 Elizabethan manor house hotel and restaurant, located in the heart of Corfe Castle, ideally situated to explore the beautiful nearby Dorset coastline. Mortons Manor has an award-winning restaurant and individually designed rooms. Shops, pubs and restaurants are within 5 minutes’ walk.
Built by William the Conqueror and destroyed by Cromwell's vengeful troops during the Civil War, the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle - now a National Trust property and the setting for several historical feature films - stand at the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck and its surrounding hills. We've deliberately kept today's walk short to enable you to explore at leisure before setting out on the panoramic ridge high above the village. It's a journey of diverse natural beauty - with Poole Harbour and Bournemouth to your left, the rolling Purbeck Hills to your right and the Isle of Wight clearly visible in the distance - as you follow the pretty Purbeck Way into Swanage, a small Victorian seaside town with a stunning semi-circular bay. You spend two nights at lovely Purbeck House, close to the town centre and just a few minutes' walk from the beach.
You stay at Purbeck House Hotel.
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Occupying the highest point on Swanage High Street, Purbeck House Hotel was constructed in 1875 in the Scottish Baronial style, imitating a feudal castle. The building was the creation of George Burt, a man referred to by Thomas Hardy as 'The King of Swanage', and features some interesting artifacts including: statues from the Royal Exchange (the one destroyed by fire); a tiled floor originally laid in the House of Commons; an arch that once stood in Hyde Park; a balustrade and columns from old Billingsgate Market; granite left over from the Albert Memorial; a richly carved crown thistle and rose from the mediaeval Parliament Buildings (burnt down in 1834) and a gargoyle said to come from Westminster Hall. The hotel is split into two buildings, the original house and the Louisa Lodge, both offering comfortable well appointed rooms.
Room upgrades: Sea View or Sea view with Balcony.
We strongly recommend a circular walk today to Durlston Country Park, a magnificent 280-acre nature reserve of sea-cliffs, downs, meadows, hedgerows and woods. With 250+ bird species, 500+ moths and 33 species of breeding butterfly, few places in the country have the same ornithological appeal as Durlston and, from March to July, hidden deep in the cliffs are sea birds, swifts and swallows. The recently restored Victorian castle boasts a fully interactive Visitor Centre, restaurant and panoramic roof terrace.
You stay at Harbour Heights Hotel or Haven Hotel.
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Ideally located between Poole and exclusive Sandbanks, with scenic views over the world's second largest natural harbour, the Harbour Heights offers boutique rooms, an award-winning restaurant and stylish cocktail bar. Rooms have a subtle nautical theme and each en-suite room has a spa bath! The Brasserie here serves an impressive seasonal menu and there is also a large, landscaped terrace with panoramic sea views for al fresco dining. Guests of the Harbour Heights Hotel have full use of the spa at sister property, the Haven Hotel.
Room upgrades: Harbour View, Harbour View with Balcony or Harbour View with Juliette Balcony.
Harbour View doubles have views over Poole Harbour. Harbour View doubles with balcony have views and a balcony over Poole Harbour. Harbour view deluxe double with Juliette balcony rooms are more spacious and offer a Juliette balcony overlooking Poole Harbour.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
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The Haven Hotel is on the very tip of the Sandbanks peninsula at the entrance to Poole Harbour and offers incredible views across the water all the way to the Isle of Wight! Rooms are tastefully furnished and well equipped and the hotel has a fantastic restaurant and bar. It also offers guests free use of the impressive spa facilities which include indoor hydrotherapy pools, sauna and steam room, outdoor heated pool, jacuzzi and a sun lounger area. With sea views and a private entrance onto the beach, you can hear the waves crashing as you recline with a glass of wine.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Today's magnificent coastal path hugs Swanage Bay as you climb gently out of the town and up to the famous white chalk sea stacks, Old Harry Rocks. As you continue towards the tiny Purbeck village of Studland, you'll pass 'Dragon's Teeth' tank traps and Fort Henry - a concrete observation bunker built in 1943 and used by Churchill, Eisenhower and King George VI to watch the rehearsals for D-Day. From the gorgeous white sands of Studland, it's just a short hop (5 mins) on the chain ferry (payable locally) across to the luxury 4 star Haven Hotel & Spa on the exclusive Sandbanks peninsula. There's an optional bus ride for those wanting to visit neighbouring Poole - a beautiful coastal town whose natural harbour is the second largest in the world.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Self-guided walking
5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Headwater
Navigation App
