Dorset
Attractions;
Listings of some of the local attractions around Lulworth
Cove and great Dorset attractions. | | |
There
are numerous historic country houses, gardens and attractions to visit in Dorset.
Attractions including the world famous World Heritage Coastline along the Dorset
Coast as well as some of the grandest houses including Abbotsbury and Lulworth
Castle. There are some nice photographs
of Lulworth Cove available by David Anderson.  Lulworth
Cove was formed approximately 10,000 years ago by the awesome powers of a river
and the sea. It continues to evolve behind a narrow Portland stone entrance as
the softer Purbeck, Wealdon, Greensand and Chalk exposures are eroded. Lulworth
Cove is the prime Dorset attraction for the budding geographer or simply for
a leisurely walk along the Natural World Heritage Coastline and the challenging
hills. By the Lulworth Cove there is the West Lulworth Heritage Centre acting
as a museum about Lulworth and its coast and the history of the village, with
plenty of Lulworth Souvenirs.
 Durdle
Door is a world famous geological wonder, with its massive rock arch, set right
on the Jurassic Coast between Swanage and Weymouth, just along the coast path
from Lulworth Cove, it is absolutely beautiful.
Durdle
Door has a sloping beach for bathing or snorkeling from, caves and exciting
rock strata. Only a short walk from Lulworth Cove and makes a nice place to have
picnic, sunbathe and go swimming, there was once a dolphin in the bay!  Lulworth
Castle was built as a hunting lodge in 1608 to attract James I to hunt in the
Isle of Purbeck, the castle was bought by the Weld family in 1641 and became the
family seat following the destruction of the main estate house during the Civil
War. By the 18th century the Castle had been refurbished and improved several
times to become a fine country house, but was sadly destroyed by fire in 1929.
By the 1990’s it had been decided to rebuild the exterior of the building
to its former glory, as it would have looked the day before the fire, stabilizing
the interior to show some of the original 17th century work.
In 1994 the Castle
was partially opened providing access to the southeast tower with magnificent
views of the surrounding countryside, to Poole Harbour and beyond. In 1998, the
Castle was fully opened to the public, the exterior and part of the ground &
first floors restored. Lulworth Castle is open to the public for most of the year
(please check admission times on the Lulworth
Castle website) and is also available to hire for private functions and corporate
entertaining.
Lulworth
Cove Boat Trips; | |
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 Saturdays
from mid July to the end of August.
Every summer at Lulworth there are guided
boat trips along the coast from Lulworth Cove to Gad Cliff and back.
Run
numbers and weather permitting. Leaves at 10am prompt from the Lulworth Cove slipway.
Telephone +44 (0)1929 400 587 for details of guided trips. (Boat trips without
a guide run every day, all season).
 The
village went under military occupation six days before Christmas 1943 for the
training of American and British tank crews. The promise to return Tyneham
to its inhabitants was never kept, and the area is still used for firing live
shells. The village and range walks on this section of the Dorset Coastal Path
are regularly open to the public and details of arrangements can be found below.
Tyneham
is now a ghost village, the domestic buildings being in ruins.
Tyneham is a
short drive from Lulworth Cove and makes a nice day away looking back into the
past in an unconventional way.
 The
Lulworth
Range Walks & Tyneham
Village is open to the public most weekends and school holidays.
Please telephone 01929404819 for more information.
 At
Lulworth Cove, there is the famous Fossil
Forest. There are the remains of the growths that formed around tree stumps
from about 135 million years ago. Further along the coast there are the ripple
marks of an ancient beach.
Visiting the fossils requires a small hike. The
hike is only a few hundred feet long with an elevation gain of about 50 feet.
Make sure the Lulworth army range is open to the public during your visit. To
access the fossils you need to pass through the gates.
 Stair
Hole, near Lulworth Cove, a classic "blow hole" where the sea has exploited
a weak spot in the rocks and has led to erosion.
Stair
Hole is also famous for the folded and crumpled rocks at its eastern edge. Stair
hole is adjoining Lulworth Cove and is very easily reached with a short walk up
the hill by Lulworth Cove. 
The
Tank Museum houses
the world's finest international INDOOR collection of
Armoured Fighting Vehicles,
there are 150 vehicles from 26 different
countries. Free audio guides available,
large car park, outdoor children's
play area, large specialist gift and model
shop and licensed restaurant.
During school holidays the exhibits are brought
to life with live
demonstrations and Tanks in Action displays throughout the
summer.
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