Best access to Durdle Door with children

onlyroz

I'm staying in Dorset and I'd like to see the Durdle Door. I have a 5 and 8-year old, and a husband with a recent knee replacement who doesn't want to walk for hours. Would access from Lulworth Cove be ok? Or is there somewhere closer that would be better? We're ok walking for a few miles total but don't want to go on a long hike, and then there's the safety access of walking in cliff tops with young children. Any thoughts?

RuthnJasper

I have walked up from Lulworth Cove and found it to be the most straightforward way. Might be worth checking with the local Rights of Way section of the council before going there though - as you probably know, the coastline and cliff-top paths took a real hammering in the storms a few months ago and some routes have disappeared or been temporarily closed for safety reasons - link to their website: https://www.dorsetforyou.com/rightsofway

Might save you the frustration of going over there and finding the path closed.

Have a nice time! x

onlyroz

Well from what I've read Lulworth Cove is worth a visit anyway so I think I'll give it a try...

nickj_2

huge car park at lulworth , plus plenty of eateries for a snack , have a look at the fossil museum whilst your there

allybee101

There is a very large car park at Lulworth Cove. The village and cove is v pretty for a wander around and maybe a bit of paddling. You can also see Stair Cove which has some great geology (rocks folded up like plasticine). There are some blow holes which are quite spectacular in rough seas. It's fenced off so quite safe.
From Lulworth there is a long paved path up to the top of the cliff between Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. It's probably a 20-25 steady walk and a fairly steady gradient.
You get great views across to Portland on a clear day.


From the top the path to Durdle Door is not paved, just grass. It is a steeper downhill to the top of Durdle Door. You'll be able to view Durdle Door and both coves from the top. There are steps down to the beaches.
The recent weather has affect the paths in the last year - they've been moved further inland and are generally fenced off. The cliff at the top of Durdle Door is not fenced off.
Allow 45mins-1 hour each way for an easy walk with breaks.


If you just want to see Durdle Door you can park at the Durdle Door Campsite (drive through the campsite to the car park on the cliff top). It's a much shorter walk, but very steep.


Spent 4 1/2 very happy years in Dorset with regular visits to Lulworth and Durdle.
Check out Tyneham village, further east, if the firing ranges are open - deserted village from WW2.

onlyroz

Thanks all. I'm loving Dorset so far. We're staying in Weymouth and found our way to Brewer's Quay for dinner last night. We've been fossil hunting in Charmouth (and I actually found one much to my son's annoyance), we've been to the Beach and harbour at Lyme Regis, and yesterday we went on the steam railway to Swanage and then spent the afternoon at Corfe Castle where there were archery displays. On to Lulworth Cove today then

allybee101

Sounds like a lovely trip!
Monkey World is also great for kids if you have any more spare days - it's near Wool.
On Portland there is a quarry full of sculptures that's quite fun to walk round, and free. Tout Quarry. There's parking just past the hotel at the top of the cliff - can't remember the name of it - ( parking free or v cheap) and then you walk down the road to the Quarry - great views of Chesil Beach as well.

onlyroz

Am currently sitting just above the Durdle Door. Hubby is having a rest because the steep parts are stressing his knee somewhat, and the kids have been bribed with promises of icecream when we get back to Lulworth, but it's definitely worth it for the views...

redpete

nickj wrote: »

huge car park at lulworth , plus plenty of eateries for a snack ,

One fewer since the one right on the beach got washed away.

PasturesNew

My grandparents lived at the Cove ... and married there. The other year I went to have a look - I went to the beach, tide was coming in, so it was a struggle to pick my way past the 50-60 other people standing right at the edge as there was only 1' of sand left.... and I thought .... OK, done it.

Saw the path up the cliff edge and had one thought: Fark That. That path looked like it went up forever..... so I toddled off to the car that I'd parked a mile up the road (so I didn't have to pay for parking).

melx

You could always next time park in the Durdle Door holiday park, they have a car park over looking Durdle Door and not such a trek back to Lulworth . X. It's signposted on the right on the road down to Lulworth x