Holiday rentals in Durdle Door

The Jurassic Coast of Dorset is a place of many geological wonders, but few are as well-known, spectacular, or downright photogenic as this natural limestone arch that straddles land and sea. Tectonic plates colliding 25 million years ago formed the dramatic folds and ripples in this region’s sedimentary rock; an Ice Age river burst through it 10,000 years ago, and it has been eroded by the sea ever since. Durdle Door is a 30-minute walk down a steep path and set of steps from the clifftop car park to a dog-friendly shingle beach, where you can appreciate the magnitude of the arch and the rich blue waters surrounding it. You can even paddle about in the shallows at its base, but be aware that the currents are strong, there is no lifeguard, and swimming is not recommended. A 1.5-mile hiking path takes you over the cliffs to Lulworth Cove, another beautiful spot.

July and August offer the best temperatures for visiting England’s beaches, and this part of the South Coast sees more than its fair share of sunshine. But it’s a small beach that can get crowded very quickly, so it’s better to avoid peak season if you can. May and September are quieter and usually still warm; but early spring and late autumn are also good times to visit, so long as you prepare well for England’s maritime climate and changeable weather and pack plenty of layers and some waterproofs. The Lulworth Estate, which owns the land on which Durdle Door sits, hosts a number of annual events including a major music and arts festival, Camp Bestival, at the start of August, which is one of the best-loved family festivals in the United Kingdom.

Lulworth Cove

A 30-minute walk east along St Oswald’s Bay brings you to this perfectly sheltered, scallop-shaped beach of white pebbles and aquamarine waters. Its awe-inspiring land formations include the Stair Hole blowhole and the twisted sedimentary rock of the Lulworth Crumple; there’s a visitor centre where you can book outdoor activities including coasteering.

St Andrew’s Church

One of two places of worship on the Lulworth estate (the other is St Mary’s Chapel), St Andrew’s used to be the heart of village life until the entire village was moved in the 18th century to facilitate the creation of the parkland around Lulworth Castle. Its 15th-century tower, the oldest structure in the grounds, now stands right next to the castle.

Tyneham

This ghost village on the Isle of Purbeck was evacuated in December 1943, in the latter stages of World War II, for use by the Ministry of Defence. Its residents were never allowed to return, and its abandoned church, school, and part-ruined terraced houses have become a fascinating glimpse back in time.