Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is roughly a 2 hour walk from Tyneham village if you follow the Dorset Coastal Path. It’s a truly stunning walk if you have the time.

Lulworth Cove is one of the most stunning places in Dorset. This unique horseshoe cove began forming over 10,000 years ago as tidal currents began to shape the coastline. It wasn’t just the sea that formed the shape of the bay that we see today though.

10,000 years England was covered in snow and ice as the world was still gripped in the last ice age. As we started to come out of the ice age, glaciers melted causing rivers to pour out to the sea and carve out the shape of the bay.

Today the cove has been granted granted World Heritage Site status. UNESCO bestowed this honor upon Lulworth Cove in 2001.

Directions to Lulworth Cove & Parking

If you don’t fancy the walk from Tyneham then you’ll be happy to hear that getting to Lulworth Cove by car is pretty straightforward. It’s very well signposted however there are a couple of things to beware of..

First of all during the peak season in the summer and particularly on hot weekends it can get extremely busy in Lulworth. On a few occasions each year it can get so busy that police actually put up a road block and enforce a one in one out policy. Suddenly the coastal walk from Tyneham doesn’t seem like a bad option does it!

Lulworth Cove only gets closed off by the police a couple of times per year, usually on the hottest days when people just want to go to the beach. More often than not, you will be fine. But if you do see police warning signs a few miles before you get to Lulworth, you’re better off turning around and heading somewhere else.

Lulworth Cove Parking

When you get near to the cove you will see the Lulworth Cove car park on the right. This is the only option for parking at the cove. If you decide to try and park somewhere else in the village you will more than likely end up with a parking ticket.

The good news is that the car park is massive but he bad news is it isn’t cheap! Don’t be tempted to risk not getting a ticket though as traffic wardens are on the patrol here all the time.

Just near the entrance to the Lulworth Cove car park you will find the visitors center, a cafe and public toilets.

Into The Cove

From the car park it’s short stroll down to the sea past lots of restaurants and accommodation. There are plenty of opportunities to grab something to eat or sit and have a drink on the way down.

Standing on the jetty you will see an ice cream shop on your left. Next to this the stone steps lead up to one of the best Lulworth Cove walks which takes you on the coastal path to Worbarrow Bay and the deserted village of Tyneham. If you’ve made the walk from Tyneham you’ll already know this!

To your right next to the boat shed cafe you will see a path leading up over the hill. A 10 minute walk up hill along this part of the SW Coastal path will offer you some amazing views of Stair Hole with the Isle of Portland in the background.

Stair Hole

Stair Hole is actually another cove although a lot smaller than Lulworth Cove. The folded limestone strata is known as the Lulworth crumple. There are several caves here which have been carved out by the sea. Just like Lulworth Cove and Worbarrow Bay, these caves were often used by smugglers.

Carrying on along this path back towards the car park you will notice the path continues up over the hill. This path will take you to the world famous Durdle Door.

Your visit won’t be complete without seeing the famous stone arch! If you don’t want to walk to Durdle Door from Lulworth you can take a short drive if you are prepared to pay for some more expensive parking!