Posted by The two villages of East Lulworth and West Lulworth, situated along Dorset’s coast, are home to 17th century thatched cottages, stunning views of the Jurassic Coast, and some of the county’s most recognisable natural landmarks. These include Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, popular among both casual visitors and serious walkers. The villages swell with tourists in the summer months, but even in other seasons, they retain their charming seaside charm.
Getting There
While public transit is available, visitors will find cars the most convenient method by which to get around. Take the A35 towards Wareham/Wool. Brown signposts indicate the way to both East Lulworth and West Lulworth. Pay and Display parking is available, and tickets purchased at Lulworth Cove are also valid for Durdle Door- useful if you’re not planning to climb the moderately arduous South West Coast Path that connects the two together.
First Buses also provide limited service to these areas; take the X54, running from Weymouth to Poole. There is also the Purbeck Breezer 30, which travels between Weymouth and Swanage.
The nearest train stations are in the towns of Wool and Wareham, along the South Western Railway, from which you will need to book a taxi or rideshare to get to the villages of East Lulworth and West Lulworth.
What To See
No visit to this area of Dorset is complete without a stop at Durdle Door. This fascinating geologic formation, situated at the base of chalky cliffs along a pebble beach, draws its name from an old English word for “to pierce or bore”- which seems fitting when you appreciate its shape. Be prepared for a steep, heart-thumping descent (and subsequent ascent) to and from the beach area; trainers or hiking books are highly advised!
For more spectacular views of the Dorset coastline, walk the stretch of the South West Coast Path that links Durdle Door to nearby Lulworth Cove, another stunning geological formation near the town of West Lulworth. On your approach, make sure to note other unique formations including the Lulworth Crumple and the Stair Hole. You can literally see the layers of geological time embedded in the rock.
Luckily, in both villages, there are a variety of pubs, ice cream shops, and cafes at which you can slake your thirst and hunger after the moderately-intense walk. It’s also lovely to take your time to stroll through the streets and admire the rows of cute, whitewashed thatched cottages. They’re a lovely nod to the villages’ enduring links to the sea, and many of them now are holiday lets if you’ve ever envisioned yourself staying in one.
Have you ever been to East Lulworth and West Lulworth? Dorset is full of quaint villages, but these two have to be in the running for most charming. Do you agree?
Canuck Running Amuck 
One comment