English (UK)
English (US)
Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
简体中文
Cove
Lulworth Cove
Cove on the Lulworth Estate, owned by the Weld family, next to West Lulworth on the Jurassic Coast.
A mini guide to
Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door & Wareham
A famous rock arch, an almost circular cove and a Saxon walled town
Photos
1 / 6Welcome to the area
A famous rock arch, an almost circular cove and a Saxon walled town
Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are on the Lulworth Estate, which is owned by the Weld family and open to the public. The estate says it has about five miles of World Heritage coast, and Wikipedia says Lulworth Cove draws around half a million visitors a year, so car parks and paths can be busy in summer.
Inland, Wareham is an historic market town on the River Frome with Anglo-Saxon churches and a museum. Around Wool and Bovington are the Tank Museum, Monkey World and Clouds Hill, the former home of T. E. Lawrence. The land east of Lulworth includes army firing ranges, so check the official notices before heading for Tyneham or the range walks.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Natural arch
Durdle Door
Limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast, privately owned by the Weld family’s Lulworth Estate and open to visitors.
Cove and rock folds
Stair Hole
Small cove just west of Lulworth Cove where folded limestone strata, the Lulworth Crumple, are easy to see.
Castle
Lulworth Castle and Park
Early 17th-century hunting lodge built in the style of a fortified castle, in parkland at East Lulworth.
Directions Website Report a problem with Lulworth Castle and Park
Visitor centre
Lulworth Cove Heritage Centre
Visitor centre by the cove car park with displays on the geology and history of the Lulworth coast.
Directions Website Report a problem with Lulworth Cove Heritage Centre
Abandoned village
Tyneham
Village evacuated in 1943 for army training; access depends on military range firing, so check the Ministry of Defence notice first.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door & Wareham and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Check the firing notice first
The Ministry of Defence publishes monthly Lulworth firing times with road closures and live firing; its page was updated on 30 September 2026 with October times. Do not enter the danger area when the range is in use.
2
Mupe Bay warning
The same MOD page warns walkers to stay clear of the north half of the beach at Mupe Bay because of rock fall, and to observe the warning signs.
3
Parking is on the Lulworth Estate
The estate says Durdle Door has its own car park and that its parking fees fund paths and facilities. It says Durdle Door car park cannot take coaches. Check the estate’s parking page for current charges.
4
Beach access is limited after dark
The Lulworth Estate says Durdle Door is open all year but that no access to the beaches is permitted after 9pm or dusk.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door & Wareham
The Jurassic Coast
More areas to explore
15 sights · 10 places to eat
Weymouth & Portland
A Georgian harbour town, a wide sandy bay and the Isle of Portland
Open the mini guide →
12 sights · 15 places to eat
Bridport & West Bay
A market town, a small harbour and the cliffs of Golden Cap
Open the mini guide →
12 sights · 11 places to eat
Lyme Regis & Charmouth
Fossils, Mary Anning and the curve of the Cobb
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door & Wareham (area photo): Brian Deegan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lulworth Cove: Paste at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Durdle Door: miketnorton, CC BY 2.0, source
- Stair Hole: ian freeman, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Lulworth Castle and Park: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lulworth Cove Heritage Centre: Andy Potter, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Tyneham: Tuuraan78, CC BY 3.0, source
- The Tank Museum: Hohum, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Monkey World: Rad Dougall, CC BY 3.0, source
- Clouds Hill: LordHarris at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5, source
- St Martin’s Church, Wareham: Wulfrunian1, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Lady St Mary Church: Iain W, CC BY 2.0, source
- St Nicholas’ Church, Moreton: AJ Camacho, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Weymouth & Portland: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0, source
- Bridport & West Bay: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lyme Regis & Charmouth: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Seaton, Beer & Sidmouth: michael cooper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Swanage, Studland & Purbeck: Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Jurassic Coast