Jewels of the Jurassic Coast Walk

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7 Days from

USD 1,779

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays, Short Breaks

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Group Size :

1 - 6

Ages :

Trip Code :

W06JC

Walk along one of Britain's spectacular coastlines.

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.

Highlights

Sweeping sea-cliffs, panoramic chalk downs, rich rolling hills, ancient woodlands, meadows and hedgerows
Incredible variety of wildflowers, birds and butterflies
Unique history: battle-worn castles, Iron Age forts, WWII bunkers and fossils spanning 185 million years

Key Information

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!

Countries visited: United Kingdom

What's Included

All breakfasts
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
Luggage transfers between hotels
Headwater Navigation App

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Day 2

16 km / 9.9 miles

Day 3

15 km / 9.3 miles

Day 4

11 km / 6.8 miles

Day 5

8 km / 5 miles

Day 6

13 km / 8.1 miles

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary

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 and visit the bustling 17th century harbour.
You stay at the Hotel Rembrandt for the next two nights (breakfast included)

Take the bus (payable locally) to Portland and from the Olympic Rings walk past the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, and along Chesil Beach back to Weymouth. For a longer walk take the bus (payable locally, operates high season only) to Portland Bill where you start your walk along the South West Coast Path before joining the shorter route along Chesil beach.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 Olivers (breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 three nights at the family-run The Limes, close to the town centre and just a few minutes' walk from the beach.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 take the bus (payable locally) back to Swanage for your final night.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave Swanage after breakfast.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

United Kingdom

Travellers from the US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccination

United Kingdom

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies (bat lyssavirus). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and 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).

Weather

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).

Weather Charts

Is this 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

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.

Jewels of the Jurassic Coast Walk

Walk along one of Britain's spectacular coastlines.

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Responsible Travel

Itinerary

Essential Info

Visa

United Kingdom

Vaccination

United Kingdom

Eating and Drinking

Weather

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

Hotels and B&Bs