Lulworth

8 miles east of Weymouth is Lulworth cove, a gateway to the Jurrassic Coast.

Despite attracting a high number of visitors the village retains its charm with interesting cottages, a village post office and delightful mill pond.

The small community (West Lulworth population 766 est, 2001 sensus) surrounds the home of the Welds, who came in 1641. It was a Weld who built the great square castle which is now open to the public. East Lulworth is now dominated by The Royal Armour Corps firing ranges.

Stair Hole, just to the west of Lulworth Cove is a remarkable tide-filled chasm with natural arches cut into steeply-dipping Portland and basal Purbeck limestones. This is a fine illustration of the Lulworth Crumple, caused by the collision between the European and African land masses about 15 million years ago which produced the Alps.

Further West still is Durdle Door, a magnificent natural rock arch carved by the sea.