Durdle Door, Dorset - driving break on route to Devon and Cornwall
Durdle Door, Dorset
Ideal stop to break-up your driving day to Devon and Cornwall.
The “door” is a natural limestone arch extending from a cliff set in the water and curls around to protect a pebble beach. Looking out from the shore, the door frames the ocean horizon line that stretches off towards France. You can also swim or paddleboard directly through the door.
When to go
While you can’t control the weather - save Durdle Door for the sun. It’s a different beach on a sunny day. The cliffs around the Jurassic coast in Dorset are always dramatic – even when the water is dirty grey, but when it’s sunny the water transforms to an emerald shade with the backdrop of orange tinged rock formations. The iconic UK beach is painted with the colours of Mallorca in the sun.
The practical
From the cliffside carpark, it’s a mile walk down to Durdle Door, which can be steep in sections. Bring a picnic as there’s some seasonal café kiosk options available near the car park, but nothing near the beach.
How to get there
It's a 2.5 hour drive from London on the M3. It’s near Ludworth Cove and the village of Wool, which is the closest train station. Unfortunately, it is a place you need a car to access with children. There are campsites sprinkled locally and Purbeck Glamping nearby. Friends recommend Eweleaze Farm, a seasonal campground further west for exploring this section of coast. It’s also a drivable distance from Moonfleet Manor, part of the Luxury Family Hotel group, which is west of Weymonth. Moonfleet Manor stands above Chesil Beach and has a quirky interior in the main house, activities for children and dependable childcare.
I would recommend…
Breaking up a drive to Devon with this as a half-way stop to stretch legs with a walk an a picnic lunch. We stopped on the way to Lyme Regis. For a picnic, we did Martha Stewart’s tuna salad recipe, with grapes, basil and lemon (I’m obsessed) on slim bagels with spinach to block the holes. Pretzels and hummus with sliced bell peppers. Chocolate chip cookies made from my pre-made stash in the freezer. Bagels are excellent for a hike picnic because they’re hardy and don’t get soggy. But all ingredients selected because they withstand packing down in the bag for the walk. What are your pack foods for a picnic, hike or camping?
