Lulworth Cove to Bat’s Head Walk via Durdle Door

Lulworth Cove, on the stunning Jurassic Coast, is located near the village of West Lulworth in Dorset. It’s clear blue waters are safe for children to explore rock pools and the area is teeming with wildlife. It is a magnet for holidaymakers, a hikers’ paradise and ideal for school field trips, being only one of a handful of perfectly formed coves in the world.

The Cove was formed by the combination of wave action and river erosion at the end of the last Ice Age. The shape of the cove has been created by wave refraction eroding the unique set of rock types and strata in the area, which have been lifted and twisted as the Earth’s crust moved over time. The waves were able to exploit small gaps in the limestone layers at the front of the cove and eroded away the less resistant clays behind.

Walks from Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove facilities

Before walking to the cove itself, spend some time at the Visitor’s Centre for an appreciation of the geology of the area. Here you can stock up on snacks and water and there are also public toilets. When ready, walk down through the village to the cove. The cove will open up in front of you with its golden shingle beach and local fishermen’s boats, which still work the area. Facing the sea, take the path to the west and walk to the headland at the mouth of the cove, passing the Lulworth Crumple – twisted rock strata – with views across the cove and then back to the car park before heading on to Durdle Door. This is roughly a 15 minute walk.

Take the well-trodden coast path up the hill in front of you. This is a steep path which ascends 400ft so be prepared for this. It is a busy path, so this is something to be aware of. You will pass Stair Hole which is a fine example of an infant cove and is how Lulworth Cove would have looked a few hundred thousand years ago.

Stopping regularly to admire the views to the west to Bat’s Head and the east to St Aldham’s Head will give you time to recover.

Take the well-trodden coast path up the hill in front of you. This is a steep path which ascends 400ft so be prepared for this. It is a busy path, so this is something to be aware of. You will pass Stair Hole which is a fine example of an infant cove and is how Lulworth Cove would have looked a few hundred thousand years ago.

Stopping regularly to admire the views to the west to Bat’s Head and the east to St Aldham’s Head will give you time to recover.

The mile long path brings you to the cliff tops above Durdle Door, perhaps the most well known natural structure on the Jurassic Coast. Take time to take in this limestone arch or the ‘Drinking Dragon’ standing majestically in the English Channel.

Durdle Door

The bay immediately before Durdle Door is called Man o’ War Bay and is my favourite part of this section of the Jurassic Coast. When the light is right, the sea here is an amazing azure blue contrasting wonderfully with the white of the chalk cliffs and the golden shingle beach. There are the remains of a rock ledge stretching out to the middle of the bay from the surrounding land mass.

Both Man O War and Durdle Door beaches can be accessed by a set of steps leading down from the cliff top. These are narrow and can be slippery in damp weather and again are extremely busy in the summer, so please take care when descending.

Man O War beach is a great place for a swim with the protruding landmass protecting the beach waters from the stronger swell further out to sea. Don’t forget your swim gear for a cool down in the summer!

Walking on Durdle Door beach will bring you closer to the arch and an opportunity for the obligatory photo as a souvenir. But keep walking further around the bay and you will get a stunning view of the almost vertical white limestone cliffs stretching up to the blue skies.