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South West Coast Path : Weymouth to Lulworth Cove Walk

Weymouth Bay, then a dramatic cliff walk past small beaches, then higher cliffs past Durdle Door (stack) to Lulworth Cove

Coast Dorset Jurassic Coast Purbeck South West Coast Path Tough

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Thu, 29-Jun-23 South West Coast Path: Weymouth to Lulworth Cove [Dorset Trip] 4 warm
Sun, 17-Aug-14 South West Coast Path : Weymouth to Lulworth Cove Walk 19
Sat, 02-Aug-14 South West Coast Path : Weymouth to Lulworth Cove Walk 1
Sat, 24-Aug-13 South West Coast Path : Weymouth to Lulworth Cove Walk 6

Thursday 29-Jun-23

Thomas G
Length: 17.8 km (11.1 mi)
Ascent/Descent: 493/485 m
Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ¾ hours
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Meet outside Weymouth Station at 10.25 (a train from Dorchester South arrives at 10.23)
Return buses : X54 at xx.20 to Wool Station (last at 17.20) and at xx.56 to Weymouth (last at 17.56);
Jurassic Breezer 30 at 15.40 , 16.55 and 17.55 to Weymouth (the 17.55 continues to Dorchester) and at 17.12 and 19.12 to Wool Station .
This spectacular coast walk follows the waymarked South West Coastal Path (SWCP)/England Coast Path (ECP) from Weymouth along its seafront promenade, then over spectacular cliffs and past secluded coves and beaches towards Durdle Door (stack) and Lulworth Cove. All with views over Weymouth Bay and the Isle of Portland.
The start is gentle - along the seafront then seawall. Then over a small hill (pub, cafe, both with sea views) to Bowleaze Cove with its spectacular art deco hotel. Then past some small beaches to the Smugglers Inn in Osmington for lunch. After lunch the cliff top path continues on past Ringstead and above Burning Cliff beach.
It passes St Catherine-by-the-Sea church (nice picnic spot) and then becomes an undulating cliff edge walk (a more level inland option is available) to Durdle Door (a stack, great beach) before descending to Lulworth Cove.
You can swim in Weymouth, by Overcombe, Osmington Mills, Ringstead/Burning Cliff (there is a path up at the end), Durdle Door (St. Oswald's Bay), and Lulworth Cove.
Walk Option: Even if walking along the seafront route, you can cross the seafront road, and walk through the Lodmoor Nature Reserve on the path parallel to the beach.
Lunch : The Smugglers Inn in Osmington Mills (7.8 km/4.8 mi, Hall & Woodhouse).
Tea: Plenty of options in Lulworth Cove and West Lulworth.

For summary, map, height profile, walk directions, photos and gpx/kml files click here . T=swc.99

  • Fri, 30-Jun-23

    4 in warm weather.

    Back with the last bus from Lulworth Cove

  • Tue, 04-Jul-23

    Four set out from Weymouth (personal circumstances prevented another 2 from joining the group). The cliff top walk proved to be a botanist's delight at this time of year, all manner of wild flowers in bloom.

    The 10.25 start time felt a little late for a leisurely walk with frequent botanical interludes and a rather early last bus (17.56) from Lulworth Cove. It was with great regret by at least one member of the party (who combines an interest in wild flora with another in local scrumpy) that we had to walk past the featured pub for fear of missing the bus later. We arrived at Lulworth with sufficient time for ice cream and a stroll on the beach before the last bus came, however we recommend starting an hour-90 minutes earlier, or getting the bus to Lulworth and walking in the opposite direction.