South West Coast Path

The Dorset Coast Path forms part of the 630 mile South West Coast Path National Trail. Dramatic landscapes and seascapes are revealed with every twist and turn along this coastal walk.

The path provides access to all kinds of stories: an exceptional record of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods of the Earth's history - the 'walk through time'; classic landforms straight out of geography text books - the Black Ven landslide complex, Chesil Beach, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove; stories of farming, both ancient and modern, of smuggling, quarrying, fishing and of war and fortification; and wildlife that is as rich, varied and specialised as anywhere in the country.

The path links together coastal hamlets, villages and towns and simply gives people the opportunity to access all that is special about the Dorset coast.

Landscape / terrain

The coast path follows cliff top, lagoon, beach and urban environments. There are some very steep ascents and descents in parts of Purbeck, Portland and West Dorset. Steps are installed on most of the steeper sections. The path is currently accessed through a mixture of self closing gates, kiss-gates and stiles.

Finding your way

The South West Coast Path is way marked by the acorn symbol - the symbol for National Trails.

Please note the Lulworth Ranges (Ministry of Defence) are only open during school holidays and at weekends. More information about Lulworth firing times

Sections of the Dorset Coast Path are prone to periodic closures following landslips. For up to date information on closures visit the South West Coast Path website.

Buses and Trains

The X51, X53 and X54 bus serves most of West Dorset and some of Purbeck. There are also various bus services between Weymouth and Portland Bill. Visit our bus timetables, routes and bus stops.

Swanage Railway operates between Norden (near Corfe Castle) and Swanage. There are also train stations at Dorchester, Weymouth and Poole.

Dorset tide times

• Tide times in Dorset - Portland
• Tide times in Dorset - Bournemouth

Linking trails and walks

• The South West Coast Path National Trail
• The Wessex Ridgeway
• The Purbeck Way

Places of interest 

• Lyme Regis Museum
• Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
• Chesil Beach
• St. Catherine's Chapel (Abbotsbury)
• Abbotsbury Swannery
• Abbotsbury Fleet lagoon
• Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens
• Abbotsbury Abbey (ruins)
• Chesil Beach Visitor Centre
• Tout Quarry Sculpture Park (Portland)
• Portland Bird Observatory and Portland Bill Lighthouse
• RSPB reserves at Radipole, Lodmoor and Arne
• Durdle Door
• Lulworth Castle
• Flower's Barrow Iron Age Hill Fort
• Tyneham
• Kimmeridge Bay Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and Centre
• Corfe Castle
• St. Aldhelm's Head (chapel)
• Swanage - Corfe Castle Steam Railway
• Old Harry Rocks