Lulworth Cove: The Perfect Addition to any UK Trip

Looking back at Lulworth Cove from the South West Coast Path

Take a glimpse into the ideal English village of Lulworth Cove. Filled with quaint history, crystal clear waters, stunning vistas, hiking, dining, and beach-going this town is worth the visit in every way.

Where:

Lulworth Cove, Dorset, England, UK

Located approximately 125 miles south of London, Lulworth Cove is on the southern coast of England and is part of the Jurassic Coast. 

When:

We visited Lulworth Cove in the middle of July which turned out to be perfect timing for the hiking that we had planned. Beach-going and swimming are also popular summertime activities for many locals in the area but for a couple of North Carolinians it felt more like a cool October visit to the Outer Banks.

Man of War natural landmark

How to Get There:

Rail & ... - Lulworth Cove itself does not have a direct rail stop but there is one in Wool which is about 5 miles away with regular stops for trains running between London Waterloo and Weymouth. A ticket, if purchased in advanced, will cost around  £25.00 each way (for tickets and the latest schedules check out the National Rail Enquiries website).  
For traveling the final 5 miles to the Cove you will either need to take a taxi for about £10 or the local bus system for about £3. One word of advice is that while taking the bus from the train station to town may be a great option it is not very convenient since it only comes by a few times per day (for schedules and fares check the local transit site). 

The Durdle Door natural landmark

Lulworth Cove in the early morning.

What to Do: 

Hike: Lulworth Cove is filled with hiking opportunities. We were only there for a short period of time but we were able to take advantage of the hike up to the "Stair Hole" which provided great vistas of the Cove to one side and the unique Stair Hole natural landmark. From here we took the South West Coast Path to the Durdle Door too. There's also a White Nothe Circular Walk which is filled with breathtaking coastal views. We enjoyed just exploring the land and taking in the views. There are more than enough places to keep you busy for days in and around Lulworth. 

Beach:  While the water was considerably cold to those of us from the Southern US, there were plenty of people who were enjoying a warmer than average day at the local beach. The sands were crowded and folks were enjoying everything from swimming to frisbee to picnics along the coast.

Water Activities: There are a ton of options for those who want to get out on the water and explore. The Jurassic Coast has a range of options from Kayak Tours, to Paddleboarding, to Sailing and Boat Rides. ​​

Castle & Park: Pay a small fee and you too can enjoy a day of breathtaking countryside views and the elegant Lulworth Castle.  ​

Where to Eat:

​When we visited we found that many of the dining options in Lulworth are also attached to the local Inns. Options directly within the Cove are somewhat limited so you may want to plan accordingly.

These include:
- The Lulworth Cove Inn & Restaurant
- Finleys Cafe (fish and chips)
- Bishops (Where we dined - delicious and friendly) - The Castle Inn Restaurant
- The Boat Shed Cafe.

Where to Stay:

There are no major hotel chains or anything other than local inns for that matter. Your best bet when going to Lulworth Cove is to book a room in advance at one of their quaint Inns - which in our opinion was better. There is also a camping option closer to Durdle Door for those who prefer a more outdoors option.
We stayed at Bishops in their Pool room. It was beyond PERFECT! It was as if we had our very own little house with direct access to their pool that happened to overlook the appealing scene of the Cove. We completed it with some complimentary tea on the porch overlooking our views. We highly recommend it. 

The Pool Room at Bishops

We Hope You Enjoy Your Breathtaking Trip to Lulworth Cove!