Things to do
Whatever your fancy there are masses of things to do in Dorset. Here are some of our suggestions and along with lending you maps we are happy to explain and guide you so that your stay is both relaxing and enjoyable.
• Wander from our door along probably the most stunning part of South West Coastal Path and The World Heritage Jurassic Coastline!
• Walk east round Lulworth Cove, past the Jurassic Fossil Forrest along to the beautiful secluded Mupe Bay for a quick dip and then on to the lost village of Tyneham.
• Hike west over the hills to Oswalds and Man O’War bays with stunning views of the ancient coastline to then watch the sunset through the iconic Durdle Door.
• Take the Lulworth Rib Rides or the Jurassic Kayaks from the cove round to Durdle Door and see the coast from a different perspective.
• Discover The Isle of Purbeck, fireworks at Lulworth Castle, revolutions at Corfe Castle, fossils at Kimmeridge, relations at Monkey World, guns at the Tank Museum, cider and live music at The Square & Compass, oysters in Swanage and pork at The Pig On The Beach in sandy Studland.
• Drive north to find hidden gems like Moreton Church & tea room, Lawence of Arabia’s Clouds Hill, the martyrs of Tolpuddle, Miltern Abbas village, abbey and pub, travel further on to the famous chalk giant at Cerne Abbas and contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth in Bruton.
• Take a tour west to Ringstead Bay and on to see the sailing in Weymouth & Portland, travel further west to the swannery and sub-tropical gardens in ancient village of Abbotsbury. Sample the best of Lyme bay fresh catch at the Hive Beach Cafe before exploring the art scene in the market town of Bridport & West Bay. If you still have time try hunting for ‘gold’ ammonites at Seatown beach but if your luck is out you can buy one at the old fossil shop in Lyme Regis or discover the fishing boats dragged up on the beach ay Beer. Then finally fine local food & drink at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Canteen in Axminster.
• After a hard (or relaxing) day Lulworth has good pubs, restaurants, cafés and even the fisherman has a shed selling his lobsters, crabs and local fish, all within a few minutes walk from our door!
The World Heritage Jurassic Coastline in Dorset
Pictured above is Stair Hole & Lulworth Cove, just 10 minutes stroll from Lulworth House, where the monolith unveiled by Prince Charles in 2001 commemorating the opening by UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coastline stands. This stretch of coast extends some 95 miles from Old Harry Rocks, Dorset to Orcombe Point , Exmouth in East Devon. The coastline displays Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock features representing almost the entire Mesozoic era.
The oldest rock forms, dating back some 250 million years, are found at the western end of the Jurassic Coast, to the youngest rocks being 65 million years old in the east end at Old Harry Rocks. This provides a 185 million year geological time period.
Walking & Cycling
Lulworth House is ideally situated just 100m from arguably the most beautiful stretch of the South West Coast Path. The Isle of Purbeck and Southern Dorset although hilly is one of the most stunning areas in which to explore by foot or cycle, with many quiet footpaths & lanes along with off road cycle routes. Some are flat for the more easy walk or ride where as some are extremely tough for keen hikers or mountain bike riders.
We have maps for you to borrow along with our extensive knowledge of the area you will not be dissapointed! There are cycle hire shops not far from Lulworth House in Wareham and Corfe Castle.
Beaches, Coves & Bays
At Lulworth House we are spoilt for beaches, coves & bays within walking distance and further afield. Some are some of the best free swimming locations in the UK so whether you like sunbathing and relaxing or fossil hunting, beach combing or rock pooling, fishing or picnicking we can help you find the ideal location nearby.
Lulworth Cove & Stair Hole are within 10 minutes walking distance along with Oswald’s Bay, Man O’War Bay, Durdle Door & Mupe Bay are only 20-40 minutes walk away. Worbarrow Bay, Kimmeridge Bay and Ringstead are more of an extended walk. Within 30 to 60 minutes drive there is Swanage Bay, Studland Beach, Chesil Beach, Abbotsbury, Seatown, Charminster & Lyme Regis.
Swimming & Watersports
Free swimming all year round has become very popular in recent years and at Lulworth House we are blessed with some of the best and secluded beaches nearby. Man O’War Bay, Lulworth Cove, Mupe Bay & Kimmeridge Bay being some of the ideal free swimming locations.
Coasteering, kayaking and boat rides are all available in the Cove. Whereas Kimmeridge Bay (KimBay) is popular with surfers, windsurfers and amazing snorkeling & diving on the ledges and wrecks in this marine conservation area.
Not far away in Weymouth or Poole Harbours there are sailing, diving and watersports schools.
Gardens & Nurseries
Dorset is famous for its gardens both private and public. At Lulworth House we are very keen gardeners with John having gardened all his life along with working on many gardening magazines and has a garden design business specializing in coastal locations. Some of our favourite larger gardens in the area are Abbotsbury Subtropical Garden, Mapperton House, Forde Abbey & Compton Acres. There are many private gardens nearby to see listed under the National Open Gardens Scheme.
Taking home a plant is a great way of remembering your holiday. All the gardens above have excellent and unusual plant sales. Just down the road from us we have Holme For Gardens which is a unique private nursery along with newly developing gardens.
Castles, Manor Houses & History
Two of our local castles that are visible are Lulworth Castle and Corfe Castle. Lulworth Castle was built around 1610 and used by nobles & kings as a hunting lodge. It burnt down in 1929 and was left as a ruin until with the help of English Heritage, which was reopened in 1998 have had a new roof and floor. Corfe Castle is probably the most iconic ruined medieval castle in the UK, built by William The Conqueror. After an interesting history it found itself to be one of the last royalist strongholds and in 1645 was ordered to be demolished by Cromwell’s parliament.
Apart from castles there are also many interesting manor houses in the area to visit including Kingston Lacy, Mapperton, Forde Abbey, Creech Grange and Smedmore House.
Riding
For those who like to explore on horseback there are three riding stables within a short drive distance. The Lulworth Equestrian Centre offers rural rides around the Lulworth Castle estate and Coombe Heath. The
Studland Trekking Centre offers beautiful rides over the heathland and along the beach and sand dunes of Studland Beach.
At Bovington Army Camp there is The Royal Armoured Corps Saddle Club offering various courses for beginners to experienced riders.
Art, Galleries & Museums
One of our favourites is the Russell Cotes Gallery/Museum in Bournemouth on the seafront with wonderful views of the pier. Although a little drive away but another one of our favourites is Hauser and Wirth at Bruton just in Somerset. It has changing contemporary exhibitions but also has a good restaurant and you can combine this with a visit to Stourhead House & Gardens nearby. Dorset arts week & Purbeck Art week both produce a large collection of open studios which is also a good way of exploring the backwaters of Dorset! Dorchester has the County Museum as well as nearby the Tutankhamun Museum. Bovington Tank Museum boasts the biggest collection of tanks in the world and not far away is the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum. For the geological of you nearby is the Etches Collection in Kimmeridge and in Lyme Regis ‘Ye Olde Fossil Shop’. The Square & Compass in Worth Matravers is like pubs were 200 years ago but also has its own little museum of fossils and other things that same family owners have found over a few generations on the beaches and in the cliffs & quarries nearby. Well worth the visit and for the music and beer!
Fossils & Geology
Lulworth House is set in the centre of the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline which spans 185 million years of geological history. At different times, this area has been desert, shallow tropical sea and marsh, and the fossilised remains of the various creatures that lived here have been preserved in the rocks. Mary Anning who lived in Lyme Regis during Victorian times became famous for collecting fossils which until then had not been recognised for what they were. ‘Ye Olde Fossil Shop’ in Lyme Regis sells fossils but is also a museum containing lots of local fossils as well as from further afield. For keen fossil hunters you can sometimes find echinoids (fossilised sea urchins) on Lulworth & Mupe beaches, nearby Kimmeridge offers plenty of ammonites in the rocks and ledges although most are fairly delicate. While after storms in Seatown & Charmouth golden iron pyrites ammonites wash out of the soft rock to be found on the beach. For the big dinosaur fossils (you need to be very lucky!) head to Chapman’s Pool or Lyme Regis.
Festivals & Shows
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Bestival. Purbeck Valley Folk festival. Fetes. Tank Museum. Great Dorset Steam festival. Jurassic Fields, Bridport folk festival. Melplashshow. Larmer Tree. Great Dorset chilli festival
The Lost Village & Lulworth Army Ranges
To the East of Lulworth across the hills and heaths to Kimmeridge are the army ranges. This area was taken over during the 2nd world war for tank training in preparation for the D-day landings. The village of Tyneham is in the middle and at the time the residents were given 14 days to pack up and leave but with the promise they could return after the war. This did not happen and the area is still used for live tank firing. Most of the village shows just the remaining ruined house walls but the church is untouched and still used for occasional services along with the school which has a rather touching collection of pictures showing the last pupils to have attended.
The damage from the training is very limited and all of the ranges are a wonderful wildlife haven and show how beautiful this part of the coastline is without any development the ranges are open You can park in Tyneham and walk around the village and down to Worbarrow bay. The walk from Lulworth to Kimmeridge is not to be missed being probably the most stunning and unspoiled part of the Southwest Coastal path.
Animals & Wildlife
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Lulworth Skipper, Bindon hill, Arne reserve. Brown sea island. Monkey World. Kimmeridge marine. Sealife Weymouth Church Knowl animal sanctuary.
Towns & Villages
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West Lulworth. East Lulworth. Kimmeridge Chalden. Worth Matravers swanage, Wareham Studland Abbotsbury Seatown Lyme Regis
Yoga & Relaxation
‘The Space’ in Studland
This is a beautiful community-based yoga space in Studland. This former Wesleyan Chapel has been renovated to create a light, bright and warm practice space, with underfloor heating and a woodburning stove to keep it cosy.
This is where we recommend, it is very special!
Trains, Boats & Planes
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See Dorset's Jurrasic Coastline in minutes!
Whats around us!
‘A timelapse journey through the first UK Natural World Heritage Site’