Explore Beaches in Lulworth and Nearby
Discover Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Dorset’s Most Beautiful Beaches
We’ve explored this stretch of coastline in every season, and no two visits ever feel quite the same. One morning might begin with a swim in the sheltered waters of Lulworth Cove, another with the walk across the cliffs to Durdle Door before continuing to quieter places like Man O’War Beach or Stair Hole. Whether you’re staying in one of our Dorset holiday cottages or simply exploring the Jurassic Coast for the day, this corner of Dorset is home to some of England’s most spectacular beaches.
Lulworth Cove is a sheltered, pebbly beach surrounded by striking limestone cliffs. It’s one of our favourite places for an early morning swim or paddleboard when the water is calm, while guided kayaking trips offer a completely different perspective of the coastline. Even if you never venture into the water, it’s somewhere that’s easy to spend an hour simply watching the changing colours across the bay.
Beaches to Explore
Just along the South West Coast Path, Durdle Door is one of Dorset’s most recognisable landmarks. The famous limestone arch, the neighbouring Man O’War Beach and the spectacular clifftop views make this one of the highlights of the Jurassic Coast. A few minutes in the opposite direction, Stair Hole reveals remarkable folded rock formations that tell the geological story behind this extraordinary coastline.
Venture a little further and you’ll discover even more to explore. Worbarrow Bay rewards the walk from Tyneham Village with a wonderfully unspoilt beach, while Kimmeridge Bay is famous for its rock pools, snorkelling and some of Dorset’s best fossil hunting at low tide.
We’ve also photographed this coastline in every season, and the light can completely transform the landscape. If you’re hoping to capture the best images, arrive early in the morning when Lulworth Cove is often at its calmest and the cliffs catch the first light. Sunset also produces beautiful colours around Durdle Door, particularly from the clifftops. Low tide reveals more of the shoreline around Kimmeridge Bay and rock pools to explore, while anyone planning to fly a drone should always check the latest restrictions before visiting, particularly around the Lulworth Estate and MOD ranges.
Continue Exploring Dorset’s Beaches
Whether you’re looking for long sandy beaches, hidden coves or spectacular Jurassic Coast scenery, we’ve shared many of our favourite places to explore across the county. Discover our guides to the beaches of Weymouth, Studland and Portland, or explore beautiful coastal spots including Kimmeridge Bay, Chapman’s Pool, West Bay and Swanage to discover even more of Dorset’s remarkable coastline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lulworth Cove is mainly a pebble beach, although there are small areas of shingle and sand at low tide. If you’re looking for wide sandy beaches, Weymouth Beach is around 30 minutes away and is one of Dorset’s best family beaches. Studland Bay is another excellent choice, with miles of soft sand backed by dunes and heathland.
Some of Dorset’s most spectacular beaches are within easy reach of Lulworth. Durdle Door is just a short walk away, while nearby Man O’War Beach and Stair Hole are well worth visiting. A little further afield you’ll find Worbarrow Bay, Kimmeridge Bay, Chapman’s Pool and Ringstead Bay, each offering something completely different, from fossil hunting and snorkelling to peaceful coastal walks.
Yes. Both beaches are popular for swimming, particularly during the warmer months. Lulworth Cove is generally more sheltered, making it ideal for calmer swims and paddleboarding, while Durdle Door is more exposed and the water becomes deeper more quickly. Neither beach is lifeguarded, so always check sea conditions before entering the water and take extra care around changing tides.
Yes, although the steep steps down to the beach can be challenging with younger children or pushchairs. Many families enjoy spending time at Lulworth Cove, where access is easier and the sheltered water is often calmer, before walking to admire Durdle Door from the clifftops. For a traditional sandy beach with plenty of facilities, Weymouth Beach remains one of our favourite family days out.
It gets very busy in summer, especially on hot, sunny days. The main car park fills quickly, so the best advice is to arrive early. Durdle Door has its own car park, which also gets busy. It’s next to the Holiday Park.Parking fills quickly during weekends, school holidays and sunny summer days. If possible, we always recommend arriving early in the morning, particularly if you’re planning to visit both Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Durdle Door has its own car park beside the holiday park, but this also becomes very busy during peak season.It gets very busy in summer, especially on hot, sunny days. The main car park fills quickly, so the best advice is to arrive early. Durdle Door has its own car park, which also gets busy. It’s next to the Holiday Park.
That really depends on what you’re looking for. Lulworth Cove is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding and families, while Durdle Door offers one of the UK’s most iconic coastal views. If you enjoy quieter beaches, we’d recommend Man O’War Beach or Worbarrow Bay, while Kimmeridge Bay is ideal for rock pooling, snorkelling and fossil hunting. We’ve visited them all many times, and each offers a completely different experience.
Just a few minutes’ walk from Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole is one of the Jurassic Coast’s most fascinating geological sites. The spectacular folded rock formations reveal millions of years of coastal change and offer an incredible insight into how Lulworth Cove itself was formed. It’s often much quieter than the cove and is always one of our first stops when introducing friends and family to this part of Dorset.
Absolutely. Tucked beside Durdle Door, Man O’War Beach is often overlooked by visitors heading straight to the famous limestone arch. Sheltered by dramatic chalk cliffs, it’s a peaceful place to stop, enjoy the scenery or simply take in a different perspective of the Jurassic Coast before continuing your walk.
Several excellent dog-friendly beaches are within easy reach of Lulworth. Ringstead Bay is one of our favourites, especially for coastal walks with Smarty, while Kimmeridge Bay welcomes dogs throughout the year. Bran Point is another wonderfully peaceful spot that’s perfect if you’re looking to escape the crowds. If you’re planning to bring your dog, explore our collection of dog-friendly holiday cottages, all perfectly placed for discovering Dorset’s spectacular coastline.
Lulworth Cove has level access to the village and waterfront, although the surrounding coastal paths are steep in places. If accessibility is your priority, Weymouth Beach offers level promenades, accessible toilets and seasonal beach wheelchairs, while parts of Studland Bay are also easier to access. Guests planning an accessible Dorset holiday may also like to explore our collection of accessible holiday cottages.
Yes. Lulworth Cove is one of Dorset’s most popular paddleboarding locations thanks to its sheltered waters. We particularly enjoy visiting early in the morning when the bay is often beautifully calm, the water is crystal clear and the sunlight reflects across the cove. It’s a wonderful way to experience this spectacular stretch of the Jurassic Coast before it becomes busier later in the day.
Absolutely. Dorset’s coastline is wonderfully varied, from the sheltered waters of Lulworth Cove and the dramatic cliffs of Durdle Door to the sandy beaches of Weymouth and the rock pools of Kimmeridge Bay. Guests staying at our Silverlake Estate Collection often enjoy exploring a different beach each day, thanks to its convenient location close to many of the county’s best-loved coastal destinations.