A Jurassic Coast Jolly

Classic

1. 1. Day one

   Arrive in a village near Corfe Castle

   Arrive in the village, a short taxi ride from Wareham station and settle into your cosy village inn where you stay 3 nights. On top of a hill, it has a majestic view of the Purbeck countryside from the garden and bags of character, atmosphere and history. Your Host will meet you today or after breakfast tomorrow to run through your itinerary and answer any questions.

2. 2. Day two

   Circular walk from Corfe Castle to Swanage

   Here's a stunning day of walking to start you off! We take you to Corfe Castle where you head out walking a chalk ridge towards Old Harry Rocks and the sea giving panoramic views across the rolling Purbeck countryside to the Isle of Wight and Poole Harbour. You'll certainly feel the wind in your hair until you drop down towards Swanage with its long sandy beach as your approach this classic English seaside town, perhaps still with an old fashioned atmosphere. Discover its delights and enjoy an ice cream as you await the steam train to chug you back up to Corfe Castle where we met you for a transfer back to your inn. The train does not run everyday and a taxi will meet you if you are out of luck!

   Optional 9 miles (14 km) or more

3. 3. Day three

   Circular walk to Kimmeridge Bay

   Walking from your inn, enjoy long views over the unspoilt countryside Thomas Hardy loved and reach the highest point of the Isle of Purbeck at Swyre Head with spectacular views of the Jurassic Coast. Fossils are famed here and you can see collections found in Kimmeridge Bay. Take a dip in the sheltered cove and amble on along the coast. As the rock changes the path becomes steeper with hidden wild swimming pools below. Turning inland easy walking leads you back to your inn.

   Optional 10.5 miles (17 km)

4. 4. Day four

   Weymouth to Gore Cove

   You're heading west along this World Heritage Coast with a choice of hiking distances today as we transfer you to the start of your walk. The walking today is all completely flat with the longest route starting in the heart of Weymouth with views out to the Isle of Portland no longer an island. You also have the option of walking to the island past Portland harbour and the castle striding out on the extraordinary Chesil Beach shingle spit - a one off eye catching coastal feature that is 5000 years old stretching 18 miles in total. The shortest walk takes you along the lagoon formed behind the spit. This section of the Jurassic Coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the views are truly unique. Stories of a past of smuggling and wrecking add another level to the rich history of the area, and a reference to this is seen in the Moonfleet Manor Hotel named after J.M. Falkner’s novel Moonfleet in which he describes a lake of brackish water full of “sea-fowl, herons, and oysters ... shut off from the open Channel by a monstrous great beach or dike of pebbles”. We transfer you at the end of the walk to the charming village of Abbotsbury where you stay 2 nights

   6,9 or up to 13 miles (9,14 or 21 km)

5. 5. Day five

   Circular walk from Abbotsbury

   Your overnight stay is in the heart of Abbotsbury, a little gem of a place also offering an amazing subtropical garden. You may just want to stay put and relax. We don't blame you but it's a hard choice! Those wishing to stride out can do so from the front door, exploring the charming village and the ups and downs inland through the billowing green hills of the Ridgeway. Beyond is lovely flat walking along the shingle shore; if you like the sea air in your hair; take the longer walk for a refreshment stop to envy.

   Optional 7 or 9 miles (11 or 14 km)

6. 6. Day six

   Bridport Walk

   This cracking walk sees you starting out along the coast to notable Golden Cap, a panoramic vista set in such lovely countryside that it is protected by the National Trust. You have a choice of walking more or less of the coast, before you turn inland from here for most of the miles encountering a rural landscape of small villages set amongst rolling hills emitting gurgling streams, sometimes difficult to avoid and a few delightful inns. Your path takes you to Bridport with much to explore. With a rich and long history, a vibrant arts and cultural scene with lively markets and great food, enjoy time here. There are transfers at the start and end of today's walk and you stay overnight in the seaside town of Lyme Regis considered one of the very prettiest towns in Dorset.

   6.6, 8.6 or 9.6 miles

7. 7. Day seven

   Circular walk from Lyme Regis

   Head out from your hotel which is located in the heart of Lyme Regis and follow the coast briefly until the path turns inland. You are ambling into beautiful rolling hills through woods, over brows with big rural vistas, beside brooks and on ridgeway tracks in deepest Dorset far from the madding crowd. Just a single inn en route makes for a nice lunch spot before you enjoy the delights of Lyme Regis with its charming High street and harbour and its promenade and fossil filled beaches. A great final day to end your jolly along the Jurassic coast!

   Optional 8 miles (12 km)

8. 8. Day eight

   Depart Lyme Regis

   Enjoy this wonderful town for as long as you can before departing.

Luxury

1. 1. Day one

   

   Arrive Corfe Castle

   Arrive in the village of Corfe Castle, a short taxi ride from Wareham station and settle into your hotel, an Elizabethan manor house on the High Street where you stay 3 nights. On top of a hill, it has a wonderful view of ruined Corfe Castle itself and a stroll through the characterful village reveals its numerous gems. Your Host will meet you today or after breakfast tomorrow to run through your itinerary and answer any questions.

2. 2. Day two

   Circular walk from Corfe Castle to Swanage

   Here's a stunning day of walking to start you off! Heading out from your hotel you'll be walking a chalk ridge towards Old Harry Rocks and the sea giving panoramic views across the rolling Purbeck countryside to the Isle of Wight and Poole Harbour. You'll certainly feel the wind in your hair until you drop down towards Swanage with its long sandy beach as you approach this classic English seaside town, perhaps still with an old fashioned atmosphere. Discover its delights and enjoy an ice cream as you await the steam train to chug you back up to Corfe Castle. The train does not run everyday and a taxi will meet you if you are out of luck!

   Optional 9 miles (14 km) or more

3. 3. Day three

   Circular walk to Kimmeridge Bay

   We transfer you to the start of your walk with long views over the unspoilt countryside Thomas Hardy loved. Reach the highest point of the Isle of Purbeck at Swyre Head and enjoy spectacular views of the Jurassic coast. Fossils are famed here and you can see collections found in Kimmeridge Bay. Take a dip in the sheltered cove and amble on along the coast. As the rock changes the path becomes steeper with hidden wild swimming pools below. Turning inland easy walking leads you back to your starting point where we meet you.

   Optional 10.5 miles (17 km)

4. 4. Day four

   

   Weymouth to Gore Cove

   You're heading west along this World Heritage Coast with a choice of hiking distances today as we transfer you to the start of your walk. The walking today is all completely flat with the longest route starting in the heart of Weymouth with views out to the Isle of Portland - no longer an island. You also have the option of walking to the island past Portland harbour and the castle striding out on the extraordinary Chesil Beach shingle spit - a one off eye catching coastal feature that is 5000 years old stretching 18 miles in total. The shortest walk takes you along the lagoon formed behind the spit. This section of the Jurassic Coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the views are truly unique. Stories of a past of smuggling and wrecking add another level to the rich history of the area, and a reference to this is seen in the Moonfleet Manor Hotel named after J.M. Falkner’s novel Moonfleet in which he describes a lake of brackish water full of “sea-fowl, herons, and oysters ... shut off from the open Channel by a monstrous great beach or dike of pebbles”. Your walk ends at your hotel where you stay 2 nights.

   6,9 or up to 13 miles (9,14 or 21 km)

5. 5. Day five

   Abbotsbury walk

   Your hotel has an unusual setting behind the spit of Chesil Beach making it remote, serene and beautiful and you may just want to stay put and relax. We don't blame you but it's a hard choice! Those wishing to stride out can do so from the front door, along the coast and then up and down inland through billowing green hills to the charming village of Abbotsbury. This is a little gem of a place also offering an amazing subtropical garden. Beyond is lovely flat walking along the shingle shore if you like the sea air in your hair and a refreshment stop to envy. At the end of the afternoon, we drive you back to your hotel.

   Optional 7, 8.5 or 12 miles (11, 13 or 19 km)

6. 6. Day six

   

   Bridport Walk

   This cracking walk sees you starting out along the coast to notable Golden Cap, a panoramic vista set in such lovely countryside that it is protected by the National Trust. You have a choice of walking more or less of the coast, before you turn inland from here for most of the miles encountering a rural landscape of small villages set amongst rolling hills emitting gurgling streams, sometimes difficult to avoid and a few delightful inns. Your path takes you to Bridport with much to explore. With a rich and long history, a vibrant arts and cultural scene with lively markets and great food, enjoy time here. There are transfers at the start and end of today's walk and you stay overnight in the seaside town of Lyme Regis considered one of the very prettiest towns in Dorset.

   6.6, 8.6 or 9.6 miles

7. 7. Day seven

   Circular walk from Lyme Regis

   Head out from your hotel which is located in the heart of Lyme Regis and follow the coast briefly until the path turns inland. You are ambling into beautiful rolling hills through woods, over brows with big rural vistas, beside brooks and on ridgeway tracks in deepest Dorset far from the madding crowd. Just a single inn en route makes for a nice lunch spot before you enjoy the delights of Lyme Regis with its charming High street and harbour and its promenade and fossil filled beaches. A great final day to end your jolly along the Jurassic coast!

   Optional 8 miles (12 km)

8. 8. Day eight

   Depart Lyme Regis

   Enjoy this wonderful town for as long as you can before departing.