Coastal Routes in Dorset

Here on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast we are blessed with numerous coastal routes for you to enjoy while you are staying with us at the Alexandra. They range from a short stroll down the road to the extensive South West Coast Path.

South West Coast Path

South Haven Point in Studland is the beginning, or end, of the 630 mile South West Coast Path, the UK’s longest National Trail which, if completed in its entirety, will take around 8 weeks to walk. The Dorset section incorporates many outstanding and diverse landscapes, heritage and wildlife, including:

Discover Lyme Regis

There is so much to see and do in Lyme Regis without having to leave the town at all. See our blog What To Do In Lyme Regis for inspiration. To finish off your day, you might consider a stroll up the wooded valley beside the River Lym following the footpath from Lyme Regis to Uplyme and back.

Charmouth & Golden Cap

The path from Seatown takes you for a steep climb to the top of Golden Cap where you can enjoy the magnificent views of Lyme Bay and beyond. You have now reached the highest point on the south coast of England! Back down in Charmouth, take in the wonders of the Jurassic Coast at the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and try a spot of fossil hunting (a find is not hard to come by) on the local beach.

Eype & West Bay

The coastline continues to the dramatic sandstone cliffs at West Bay and eastward, made famous by the ITV series ‘Braodchurch’.  On the way, take a moment to view Thorncombe beacon, just west of Eype, which helped to warn Queen Elizabeth I of the advancing Spanish Armada.

Chesil Beach

Chesil Beach is an 18 miles long pebble and sand beach that stretches from West Bay to Portland. For much of its length it is separated from the mainland by the Fleet Lagoon which is rich in wildlife and protected habitats including the world famous Abbotsbury Swannery.

Abbotsbury Walks

Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Jurassic Coast Team have created a series of walks incorporating the ancient landscape and the chalk path leading to White Hill, part of the South Dorset Ridgeway.

Weymouth to Portland

From Weymouth to Portland, the Legacy Trail follows a disused railway line that is now a haven for wildlife. The Rodwell Trail from Weymouth to Ferrybridge is a hard surfaced route suitable for scooters, bicycles and mobility scooters with stunning views towards Portland.

Lulworth Range Walks

The Lulworth Ranges are located on the coast between West Lulworth and Kimmeridge and include historic Tyneham village and delightful Worbarrow Bay. They are owned by the Ministry of Defence and are regularly closed for Army training, so please check before heading out.

Purbeck Way

This 12 mile route is a spectacular walk within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) that runs from Wareham to Swanage, providing fabulous views of the Purbeck Hills and the Dorset coast.

Worth Matravers, near Swanage

A striking circular trail that starts at Worth Matravers (The Square and Compass pub is a must), follows the path south to Winspit Quarry where it picks up the South West Coast Path to Dancing Ledge (look out for the rock climbers) and then heads back along the Priest’s Way to the village.

To find out more, visit our References:

southwestcoastpath.org.uk
visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/activities/walking/walking-routes

The Alexandra Hotel is the perfect starting point for the plethora of wonderful coastal routes that we have both on our doorstep and further afield. For any enquiries regarding your stay don’t hesitate to call or book online.