3 Days in Lulworth: Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Beyond

It’s finally here, the holiday you booked (possibly last year, then postponed?!). You’re staring down the barrel at 3 Days in Lulworth! It’s time to start planning what you’ll actually do during all that relaxing family time you’ve been looking forward to.

When you look on the map, it may seem as though Durdle Door is actually quite isolated – and now you’re panicking, “what am I going to do for a whole week?!”. Rest assured, there’s plenty to do whether you’re here for a short break, a week or longer; you’ll be able to keep everybody entertained from the very young to the very old.

We’ll include the standard bucket-list activities that you certainly won’t want to miss, plus some hidden gems you may not have considered. Better get packing!

Holiday Itinerary for 3 Days in Lulworth

Day 1

Just because the check-in time is 4pm, doesn’t mean you can’t start exploring on the way.

Some notable things to see on your journey through Dorset, depending where you are coming from, include the Cerne Abbas Giant,  Upton Country Park (fab for giving the dog some exercise and there’s an incredible kid’s playground too!), and the incredible National Trust Kingston Lacey.

With your legs now stretched and your thirst for Dorset’s unique and wonderful attractions tantalised, continue on your journey to Lulworth for the fun to really begin.

Now, you may be tempted to head straight to the beach before you check into your accommodation, however a local tip would be to wait until the daytrippers have left for the day. So, check in according to your pre-arrival email (we’re currently operating a self-check-in system, so you can head straight to your new front door and let yourself in with keys from the key safe) and get yourself together first.

Now, pack a small backpack with bottles of water, a blanket to sit on, and put on your trainers and baby carrier (if you’ve got an infant to tote) ready for the walk to Durdle Door beach. This is the moment your Instagram feed has been waiting for! It’s a fair old hike down the cliff, hence the need for trainers, and it’s definitely not pushchair friendly – there’s around 100 steps down to the pebble beach, but it’s worth it!

There’s a great view point of Durdle Door itself before you hit the beach, which is great for those first photos, but save the money shot for when you reach the very bottom. It’s part of the UNESCO world heritage site for a reason – it’s a completely stunning sight to behold. Lay down your blanket, crack open the bubbly, and soak in that amazing sight. Don’t forget to take all your litter with you back up again.

Walk down the steep cliff to arrive at this view point.

When you’re filled to the brim with Durdle Door joy, and you decide it’s time to head back up, you’re probably going to be starving. There are some wonderful restaurants in the close vicinity that we’d recommend, but tonight let’s try…

The Man O’War Bar & Restaurant is within Durdle Door Holiday Park and offers freshly cooked local produce and beverages, ideally located if you’re staying in a Holiday Home, or glamping or camping. It’s great for your first night because it’s close, it’s easy, and you can be sure of a friendly welcome.

Rest your head and relax with full tummies on your first night in your piece of paradise…

What is there to do in Durdle Door?

Day 2

Waking up refreshed is due in part to the lovely beds, sea air and the feeling of no work to do today! If you haven’t stocked your fridge and cupboards yet, you’ll be looking for breakfast. Pack your bags for a day out though, because we’re headed for breakfast right where the magic happens.

The Boat Shed serves a fantastic variety of breakfasts from coffee and pastries to a full English, and all with the stunning  Lulworth Cove as its backdrop. Lulworth Cove is the place to go for fabulous rock formations and the almost perfectly round Cove is a really spectacular place to spend the day. Walk past the duck pond, around to the Fossil Forest to explore the site of a prehistoric forest, or over to Stair Hole for a sneak peek into the Earth’s crust. Plenty of circular walks give you lots to explore, but if you’re after a more sedate beach day there are of course souvenir shops and ice cream stands within reach.

Top tips for the Cove include getting there at the crack of dawn to watch the fishermen bringing in their day’s catch. Do bring something nice to sit on as the large pebbles can be uncomfortable. Also, the Cove is dog friendly to the left hand side of the stream so choose accordingly if you’re up for wet doggy licks or not!

For dinner tonight let’s go a bit further into the countryside. The Weld Arms is a short 5-10 minute drive away in East Lulworth, but well worth the journey. The recently refurbished pub has a lovely large garden and patio area, and serves beautiful food suitable for all tastes and requirements – the vegan roast dinner is especially lovely as is the vegan ice cream!

If you’re camping, you can light up a BBQ outside your tent as long as it’s not resting directly on the ground (bring one with legs!). Durdle Door Stores has BBQ packs to buy for your convenience. Cosy up with your sleeping bag and tell stories under the stars as you look forward to your last day exploring…

Durdle Door and the Holiday Park

Day 3

It’s your final morning, so after some breakfast from Durdle Door Stores (fresh coffee and a croissant anyone?) you’re packed and ready to hit the road. Lulworth Castle is where today’s agenda is taking us. The rolling park is particularly lovely on a sunny day – the blue skies and green grass really set off the stunning castle. Bring the dog if you like, and the kids will adore the woodland playground. The castle itself will instil a real sense of awe as you discover its past, including the devastating fire of 1929 that left the Castle in ruins. Local tip: check out St. Mary’s Chapel behind the castle for the most incredible painted ceiling and interior.

With the Castle in your rear-view mirror, it’s time to head home. Dorset has so many fabulous attractions to visit on the way – why not stop off at Corfe Castle (about 25 mins away) and catch the steam train into Swanage for a memorable day trip? Or perhaps you’ve seen Monkey Life on TV and feel like visiting the stars of the show at Monkey World (about 15 mins away).

West Lulworth and Stair Hole 

Book your break at Durdle Door Holiday Park for the best place to stay in Dorset.