Dorset

Dorset is a county in south west England, and over half of it is a designated AONB.

The most well known bit is probably the Jurassic Coast, which runs along the coastline of Dorset and into Devon. Have you heard of the South West Coast Path? Well, this is where it starts…or finishes.

 

Jurassic Coast 

The first proper walk I ever did in England was along the Jurassic Coast. It’s what opened my eyes to how beautiful England is, and that there is much more to the country outside of London (I was that person). You could say it was the start to my love of hiking, which later lead to this website. 

Along this bit of coast you will find lots of rugged cliffs, including the famous Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks. In some parts you can hunt for fossils (the Jurassic Part of it refers to the fact that lots of dinosaur remains have been found here).

 

Isle of Purbeck

This is the peninsular in south Dorset. It’s where you will find Old Harry, Corfe Castle and a ghost town.  

A portion of it is owned by the MOD, and on certain days, these areas a locked off. So you would need to plan your walk accordingly. I give more details of this in my walk guides which go through MOD land. 

 

Tyneham Village (the ghost town) and the surrounding area was taken over by the army during the war, and then they kept it as a training area, the Lulworth Ranges. The area is open to the public on certain days, and what you will find is a place where time has stood still. Whilst a lot of it is now ruins, some buildings are still intact. The school is a notable one, with schoolwork on the desks, and the pegs with the children names on. 

 

Logistics:

If using public transport, the main big towns with train access along the Jurassic Coast, are Bournemouth, Pool, and Weymouth, which are all served by the Great Western Railway line. From these towns, you can then get a bus to other parts along the coast. Wool and Wareham station are also of note as stops to get off, for getting a bus to the coast. 

 

Wool gives you access to Lulworth, although buses from Wool are scarce, so you would need to book a taxi. 

From Bournemouth, Pool, and Wareham, you can get a bus onto the Isle of Purbeck. The main places the bus takes you to are Swanage, Studland and Corfe Village.