Durdle Door, Dorset
The location is popular with walkers and bathers, and also geologists and fossil collectors. The entire area is part of the stunning Jurassic Coast , which is a World Heritage Site. Lulworth Cove attracts over one million visitors a year. The cove is one of the best examples of such a geological formation in the world. The headlands project to such an extent that the cove is almost still a lagoon. The cove presents a natural harbour for fishermen and the village of West Lulworth owes its very existence to this natural harbour. The shape of the cove and the natural barrier provided by a submerged reef in the bay means it is an ideal place for sunbathers and swimmers. The shingle beach does shelve quite steeply so care needs to be taken. Sheltering under the fragile cliffs, or attempting to climb them, is not advised due to the risk of landslip. Access to the beach is through the Durdle Door Holiday Park and a flight of steep steps. At the western end of the cove is Bat's Head, a chalk headland.
The picturesque village pub, the Castle Inn , dates from the 16th Century and is one of Dorset's oldest pubs. It still has its original woodwork and a delicate thatched roof. To the east of the village is Bindon Hill, a 170m high ridge that features the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. Hambury Tout is to the west and this hill is topped by an ancient barrow. At East Lulworth , just south of Wool , lies the 17th Century Lulworth Castle . Built in 1610 by Thomas Howard it originally served as a hunting lodge. The grand building is now a tourist attraction that holds various medieval styled events.
The exposures of folded Jurassic and Cretaceous strata have helped to make Lulworth Cove the most-visited geological locality in Britain. On the cliffs to the east is the Fossil Forest with ancient soil and tree remains in evidence
More British Natural features?
Other Dorset Naturals
Jurassic Coast
Portland Bill
Purbeck Hills
Old Harry Rocks
Lyme Bay
Cranborne Chase
Lulworth Cove
Chesil Beach
Poole Harbour
Lyme Bay
Brownsea Island
River Axe
Golden Cap
Blackmore Vale
Marshwood Vale
Studland
Melbury Beacon and Melbury Down
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