South West Coast Path Walking - The Jurassic Coast (9 Days, 8 Nights)

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Budleigh Salterton

Stop At: Budleigh Salterton, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, England
Budleigh Salterton sits with the Jurassic Coastline World Heritage Site and has a two-mile pebble beach. It is known for its unspoilt charm and has plenty of shops and attractions to keep you busy. Alternatively, you can start the trip in Exmouth which is a larger city and has better transport links. Arriving in Exmouth also allows you to enjoy the ‘Geoneedle’ marking the start of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, but it does extend the walking on the first day.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in local B&B

Day 2: Budleigh Salterton to Seaton

Stop At: Seaton, Seaton, Devon, England
Today's route is long, with an easy start and end but a more arduous middle section, but you are afforded exceptional views the whole way. If you prefer, you can opt to taxi or take public transport to Sidmouth (payable locally), but in doing so miss out on some terrific coastline. Leaving Budleigh Salterton, the path heads immediately inland to cross the nearby marsh at the mouth of the River Otter, before returning to the coastline. The path climbs gradually from this point although it remains fairly easy and runs along the cliffs to Ladram Bay and then goes past High Peak which reaches 156m, but the path itself does not reach the summit. Continuing to Sidmouth with several stretches in woodland. From Sidmouth, it is a straight stretch along the coast with a couple of minor detours inland before reaching Branscombe. Leaving Branscombe behind, zig zag to the top of the cliff. Seaton is your stop for the night and offers plenty of amenities.
Daily Distance: 27.5 km/ 17 miles
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in local B&B

Day 3: Seaton to Seatown

Stop At: Seatown, Bridport DT6 6JU, UK
Leaving Seaton, cross the River Axe via the bridge and walk out of the town to rejoin the cliff line at Haven Cliff. This part of the route is quite tough although still manageable and it can take a few hours to reach Lyme Regis. Look out for ‘Undercliff’ which was formed when 8 million tonnes of soil and rock slid towards the sea and opened a chasm in 1839. The path and terrain remains much the same all the way to Lyme Regis, so enjoy its beauty and uncultivated wildness which is so engaging. Lyme Regis received a Royal Charter in 1284 and is famous for its fossil density and there are also plenty of old buildings. From Lyme Regis, the path heads inland for quite a while, skirting The Spittles and heading into Charmouth where there are refreshments. Sticking inland, the path heads on through wooded areas and over little streams, turning back to the cliff line to run all the way to Seatown, which is small but unspoiled and a pleasant place to stay.
Daily Distance: 24.5 km/15 miles.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at local B&B

Day 4: Seatown to Abbotsbury

Stop At: Abbotsbury, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset, England
Today’s walking is much more gentle for those in need of a rest day and although it starts with a couple of cliff ascents and descents it gives way to field and beach walking that are level and easy.Leaving Seatown via the cliff path, the route follows the coast past Eype’s Mouth and West Bay which was a harbour until trade was lost to nearby Bridport when it got the railway. From here, the route becomes more leisurely, dropping onto Burton Beach and passing close to the Iron Age ‘Bind Barrow’. Continuing along Cogden Beach and then Chesil Beach which is a famous local attraction, the route then diverts back inland past Chapel Hill and on to Abbotsbury – your stop for the night. At Abbotsbury, only a fragment of the original abbey remains, dating back to 1400, but it is lovely and the Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens are worth a detour a little further inland.
Daily distance: 19.5 km / 12 miles
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in a local B&B

Day 5: Abbotsbury to Ferrybridge

Stop At: Ferrybridge, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire, England
Departing from Abbotsbury, the route turns inland working its way to the crest of Linton Hill, and on across farmland and through woodland. It’s a very pleasant vista and not long after passing Wyke Wood, the route turns back towards the coastline, skirting the edge of the large natural lagoon of West Fleet. West Fleet is a large tidal lagoon which hides behind the world-famous Chesil Beach which is a shingle barrier beach that runs 29km from West Bay to Isle of Portland. Continuing to follow the bank of the lagoon, you can detour inland to the village of Langton Herring for refreshments or continue past East Fleet and Charlestown a bit further on. At Charlestown, the route can sometimes have a diversion in land to avoid the rifle range, but the walk continues all the way to the end of the lagoon at Ferrybridge – your stop for the night.
Daily Distance: 29.5 km/ 18.5 miles.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at local B&B

Day 6: Ferrybridge to Lulworth Cove

Stop At: Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, West Lulworth England
One of the most famous features on the South West Coast Path, Lulworth Cove is a definite highlight for today’s walking, which starts off easy and becomes slightly more challenging as the day progresses. Commencing with a walk through Weymouth, your first landmark is the ruins of the 16th century Sandsfoot Castle on the coastline of the town. Continuing along the Esplanade, the town gives way to Lodmoor Country Park which spreads inland while you continue along the coastline past Osmington Mills, Ringstead Bay and Holworth House. It’s not long from here before the world-famous Durdle Door appears beyond the cliffs, swiftly followed by Dungy Head, Stair Hole and Lulworth Cove which are worth admiring. You’ll stay at Lulworth for the night so no rush to leave it behind as this is one of the most scenic and unusual spots on the whole length of the South West Coast Path.
Daily distance: 25 km / 15.5 miles
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in local B&B

Day 7: Lulworth Cove to Swanage

Stop At: Swanage, Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England
Immediately leaving Lulworth Cove you enter the active tank and rifle ranges, which obviously cannot be walked when practice is ongoing. This is an interesting region of the coastline so is worth the walk if you can, but some opt to start their day with a taxi or public transport (payable locally). Following the coastline closely all day, much of the terrain includes ascents and descents around Mupe Bay, Worbarrow Way, before reaching Clavell Tower. From here, much a good section runs along Kimmeridge Ledges which are lovely, before heading a little way inland at Houns-tout Cliff. From there, the path continues around St Alban’s Head (also known as St Aldhelm’s Head) before running all the way to Durleston Head and nearby Swanage. Swanage is your stop for the night and you’ll see evidence of the town’s heritage as a Purbeck ‘Marble’ producer.

Daily distance: 33 km / 20.5 miles
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in a local B&B

Day 8: Swanage to South Haven Point (Poole)

Stop At: Poole, Poole, Dorset, England
After yesterday’s lengthy hike, this day is the shortest of the trip offering a more leisurely pace. It starts on the Promenade of Swanage and ends with a beach walk or a heathery dune walk. The route makes it way up the white chalk cliffs and offers a great view of Old Harry Rocks and you can also see Bournemouth and the Isle of White in the distance across Poole Bay. Descending the slope to Studland you have the option of walking along the beach at Studland Bay, or you can cross the heathery dunes at the back of the beach instead. As you reach the end of the beach you are at South Haven Point and from here you can grab the ferry into Poole – your final stop of the trip. Poole has the largest natural harbour in Europe as well as a beautiful wide beach. There is plenty to see and do and enjoy at the end of your trip.
Daily distance: 12.5 km / 8 miles
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in local B&B

Day 9: Depart

Stop At: Poole, Poole, Dorset, England
Depart Poole for your onward journey.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.