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Walk
Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Bat’s Head Circular Walk
...visit one of England’s natural wonders, then slip away from the crowds and explore the cliffs and coves beyond...
Distance:
Time:
Difficulty:
Start Point:
6.2 Miles
3 Hours
Moderate/Hard
Lulworth Cove Car Park, BH20 5RN
Pub/Restaurant:
1.From Lulworth Cove, follow the obvious path heading steeply uphill behind the car park. It’s a long climb with some steps, so if you need a breather look backand enjoy views over Lulworth Cove.
As you climb over the brow of the hill you are rewarded with stunning views of the South West Coast Path snaking along the edge of the bright white limestone cliffs as far as the Isle of Portland, which stretches out on a spit from Weymouth harbour. Back towards Lulworth, on Bindon Hill, you can make out the ramparts of a huge Iron Age hill fort.
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3. Walk back up to the coast path and follow it along the edge of the cliff-tops. Many visitors head back after Durdle Door so you should find this section quieter. The path dips downhill into Scratchy Bottom, before climbing steeply to Swyre Head. Go through a gate and continue along the coast.
Take a detour along Bat’s Head, a great picnic spot with views back towards Durdle Door. Carry on as the path dips and climbs along the coast, dropping down to Middle Bottom and passing a stone marked Ringstead 2. Walk over West Bottom, passing below the beacon. After 400m you reach a National Trail stone marker pointing inland to Dagger Gate.
4. Turn inland and follow the left-hand fence line. Bear right with the path and take the line across fields between the two beacons. Go through a gate and head straight ahead, ignoring a left turn. After another gate, bear right over fields towards the caravans. Follow the path along the top of the hill, walking a field’s width behind the caravan park. Go through a gate and walk along a track until you reach barns and a lane.
5. Bear right with the lane, then turn right at the road and walk through Newland’s Caravan Park. As the road bears right towards the sea, turn left through a gate and follow a footpath over Hambury Tout. Go through another gate and walk over the hill, bearing right to rejoin the coast path. Follow the path left back to Lulworth Cove.
