Durdle Door - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Lulworth Cove is world-famous for its unique geology and landforms including the Lulworth Crumple and Stair Hole. The pebble beach and blue waters of Lulworth Cove make it an extremely popular destination. The Cove and surrounding countryside are hugely popular with walkers. You can walk to the cove along the South West Coast Path national trail.

The Lulworth Estate extends over 12,000 acres of the south Dorset countryside, including 5 miles of the Jurassic Coast and internationally renowned landmarks such as Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. The fairy tale Lulworth Castle is a great day out for all the family, from the fascinating exhibits in the basement cellars to the incredible views from the tower. The estate is predominantly owned by the Weld family, who have lived there for several generations.

A majestic castle was Built in the 17th century. Originally built as a hunting lodge to entertain aristocracy and royalty, it was for centuries the family seat of the Weld family, the current owners of the Lulworth Estate. Inside the castle is a wealth of fascinating history; walk in the footsteps of King and Queens as you follow the story of the Weld family’s fate and fortune and explore the basement rooms and memorabilia collections. Children can enjoy hunting for the 10 bats hidden around th

Monkey World was set up in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide a permanent, stable home for abused Spanish beach chimpanzees. The 65-acre park is home to the stars of TV’s ‘Monkey Life’ and ‘Monkey Business, and provides sanctuary for rescued and endangered primates from around the world. Monkey World features the largest group of chimpanzees outside of Africa which are housed in four different social groups.

Bowleaze Cove is a sand and pebble beach just over two miles northeast from Weymouth. In summer the beach is popular with families as well as jet-ski enthusiasts and the water is zoned for the safety of bathers. Children might enjoy paddling in the shallow waters of the cove or in the River Jordan which enters the sea at the beach. A short pier leading out from the beach makes a good spot for fishing and the views towards Portland on a clear evening are quite spectacular.

Kimmeridge Bay lies within a marine Special Area of Conservation and boasts the best rock pooling and safest snorkeling site in Dorset. The area is popular with surfers and windsurfers for the sea breezes and surf created by the rock ledges underneath the waves. The natural rock ledges extending out into the bay make it easy to view life on the shore and in the shallow waters, making it a wonderful location for rock pooling.