Dorset has one of the most beautiful coast and countryside areas of the UK. It is the perfect holiday destination for a week or even as a weekend escape. There is plenty to see and do so let me help you to maximize your time exploring this beautiful area.
General advice: go by car. The best way to get around and not waste too much time is going by car. Also if possible, try to go during the summer, late spring or early autumn to get the best weather.
Where to stay: I would try to stay between Sandbanks and Canford Cliffs which is a lovely area next to the coast. We stayed at “The Canford Hotel” and it was absolutely perfect. We will definitely come back here. Top tip – to get the best price book directly on their website instead of using a third party provider.
Day 1: Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks
Start the day by heading to Lulworth Cove. It will take you around 45 minutes to drive from Sandbanks/ Canford Cliffs to Lulworth Cove Car Park. I would advise not to get here very late as this is a popular place and the car park, even though big, fills up quickly.
Once you have parked, I would recommend to go to “The Boat Shed Café” where you can grab a coffee or even have breakfast with incredible views of the cove. After, walk up the hill behind the café to get even better views of the Cove from above. In case you are not familiar with Lulworth Cove, this is a beautiful secluded beach with clear blue water surrounded by unique geological landforms including Stair Hole. You will not need more than 30 minutes here.
From this point, you can do a very nice walk towards Durdle door, probably the most famous spot in Dorset. Durdle door is a natural limestone arch which was formed when the power of the waves eroded the rock and forged a hole through the middle. The name Durdle is derived from an old English word ‘thirl’, which means to pierce, bore or drill.
To start the walk you will have to retrace your steps towards the car park and follow a path that you will find on the left hand side. The walk will take you around 45 minutes each way, it is important to note that the first part of the walk is all uphill. However, the views are so worth it, especially during a sunny day.
Once you get there, you can either go down to one of the beaches or you can stay on the top part taking pictures. Given how popular this place is, do not expect to be alone.
After picking up the car, you can go for lunch to the “The Pig on the Beach” which is 30 min drive. Note that you should book to have lunch at the restaurant well in advance as this is a very popular place but in my view completely worth it. Food was delicious and the property stunning.
After lunch, you can walk from here to Old Harry Rocks. The walk will take you around 40 min each way and the good thing about this walk is that it is practically flat all the way.
Old Harry Rocks actually refers to the single stack of chalk standing furthest out to sea. Until 1896 there was another stack known as Old Harry’s Wife, but erosion caused her to tumble into the sea, leaving just a stump.Thousands of years ago, Old Harry and The Needles (another chalk rock formation) on the Isle of Wight were linked by a line of chalk hills that eroded away during the last ice age. On a clear day you can see The Needles from Studland Bay. There are a number of theories about where Old Harry got its name. It is reputedly named after either a famous local pirate (Harry Paye) or the devil. The top of the cliff nearby is known as Old Nick’s Ground which is another name for the devil.
This is the last stop of the day and from here it will take you 30 min driving back to the hotel where you can rest before going for dinner.
For dinner, I would recommend the restaurant of “The Canford Hotel” that serves fresh fish of the day and is absolutely delicious, or if you had dinner here the previous night you could try Cliff Poole.
Day 2: Corfe Castle
On your second day, you can head to Corfe Castle which is only 35 min drive from Sandbanks / Canford Cliffs. The best place to park is at “Corfe Castle car park (National Trust)”.
From the car park to the town and the castle there is a lovely short walk called the 'Corfe River View' that will take you to the centre through a nice path surrounded by nature. I would recommend to spend a couple of hours here to explore the castle and the town. The cost of the ticket per adult to enter the Castle varies between £13.20 and £14.30 depending on whether it is peak or off peak.
Corfe Castle is a fortification standing above the village built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It was one of the earliest castles in England to be built using stone when the majority were built with earth and timber. In 1572, Corfe Castle left the Crown's control when Elizabeth I sold it to Sir Christopher Hatton. Sir John Bankes bought the castle in 1635, and was the owner during the English Civil War. While Bankes was fighting in London and Oxford, his wife, Lady Mary Bankes, led the defence of the castle when it was twice besieged by Parliamentarian forces. The first siege, in 1643, was unsuccessful, but by 1645 Corfe was one of the last remaining royalist strongholds in southern England and fell to a siege ending in an assault. In March that year, Corfe Castle was slighted on Parliament's orders.
After visiting this lovely place, if you have some spare time before heading home, you might want to make a stop at Shaftesbury. Shaftesbury is a small market town in Dorset with a fascinating history going back to Saxon times. The town is the home of Gold Hill and has magnificent views over Thomas Hardy’s Blackmore Vale. We unfortunately didn’t have time to visit it this time but it is definitely on the list for our next trip to Dorset!
Yorumlar