This is a three day adventure in the beautiful county of Dorset.
DAY ONE – SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST 2023
LULWORTH COVE COASTAL WALK & TYNEHAM’S LOST VILLAGE
Approx 10 miles
IMPORTANT…. NOT FOR THE UNFIT >>>>> There are three HUGE ups and downs, PLUS lots of steps to contend with. Good footwear is a must (we will turn away anyone who does not have suitable footwear). A good proportion of this walk is on chalk ground which can get slippery when wet.
The first part of today’s walk takes us along the coastline to Worbarrow Bay which is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Because of its remote location, being only accessed via the village, South West Coast Path or by sea, the Bay is not overcrowded with visitors and is a wonderful location to enjoy a picnic (which we will – remember to bring your packed lunch and something to sit on).
Part two of today’s walk:
Tyneham Village – where time stopped in 1943…
Often referred to as Dorset’s ‘lost’ village, only the memories of who used to live here now remain.
The village was evacuated in December 1943 during WWII and has been deserted ever since. The area was needed for military training but after the war ended, the villagers were not allowed to return.
You can still see some of the original buildings and read about what village life used to be like. The Row was a row of four terraced houses, numbered from the higher end nearest the church. Each house now contains a storyboard providing more information about who lived there, complete with photographs.
Both the restored Church and School buildings are still intact and have exhibitions about the village and villagers. The exhibitions are open from 10am until 4pm when the village is open to the public.
At Tyneham Farm, some of the outbuildings have been restored and there is a picnic area to enjoy.
Walk back along the ridge to Lulworth .
Note: Tyneham and Worbarrow are part of the Ministry of Defence Lulworth Ranges so if walking to Worbarrow Bay you must keep to the paths marked with yellow posts at all times.
The Village, Worbarrow Bay and Lulworth Ranges are managed by the Ministry of Defence.
DAY TWO – SUNDAY 25th AUGUST 2024
LULWORTH COVE LOOP VIA DURDLE DOOR
APPROX 4 miles
This is a stunning circular coastal route that begins in West Lulworth and follows the stunning cliffs of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are some hill climbs to navigate so make sure to wear sturdy shoes. Take extra care when navigating close to the cliff edge. There are refreshments available at the end of your hike near the trailhead. The views from the cliff-sides make the effort well worth it.
Durdle Door is one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. It is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and is an extremely popular beauty spot.
It is located on the Lulworth Estate in south Dorset and is part of the Jurassic Coast. The coastline is of such international geological importance that it was designated England’s first natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001 and is now part of a family of natural wonders including America’s Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
The magnificent natural limestone arch was formed when the power of the waves eroded the rock and forged a hole through the middle. The name Durdle is derived from an old English word ‘thirl’, which means to pierce, bore or drill.
DAY 3 – BANK HOLIDAY DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS TRAIL
Hidden away in Purbeck, within a stone’s throw of the Jurassic Coast, is the Spyway Dinosaur Footprints. Nestled alongside a working quarry and easily accessible from the Priest’s Way walking path, these incredible footprints were made by Jurassic giants, 145 million years ago.
Visiting the footprints is a journey through time, back to when this part of the world was covered by swamps, lagoons, and ancient rivers, and patrolled by immense sauropods straight out of Jurassic Park. There are more than 100 fossilised dinosaur tracks preserved in the quarry site, which were made by giant sauropod dinosaurs, most likely brachiosaurs.
Lou Stuart will lead a short 4.5-mile trail from Worth Matravers to Seacombe down the valley to the coast. We will walk along the coastal path to Dancing Ledge ( there is a sea-filled rock formation here that forms a pool to swim in if time allows !!!). From here, we navigate the route via an interesting National Trust mini open-air museum. We then join the Priests Way and back to Worth Matravers to end the hike via the Dinosaur Footprints. Yes, you can actually stand in them! After the walk we will indulge in the fabulous pasties and free museum at the Square and Compass. (Not to be missed!).
You can then drive home and hoepfully avoid the Bank Holiday traffic.
