Best walks in Dorset
There are many words one could use to describe Dorset – quaint, picturesque, scenic. However, none of them quite manage to capture the county’s charm. If we had to sum up Dorset’s rolling hills, spectacular cliffs, and secret coves in one word, it would have to be ‘unspoilt’. To truly appreciate all this unspoilt beauty, there’s no better way than on foot.
With over 300 miles of trails and paths, Dorset is a walker’s paradise. Both coastal and inland walking routes provide plenty of opportunity for you to really get away from it all. We’ve compiled some of our favourites from these walks, all within driving distance of one of our four Dorset holiday parks. Better yet, the county is known as one of the most dog-friendly regions in the country, so we’ve made sure to include some of the best Dorset walks for your pooch to join in too.
1. Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door, coastal walk
Distance: 1.5 miles (each way)
Difficulty: moderate
This walk connects two of the most famous natural attractions on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast: Lulworth – an almost perfectly circular cove, backed by high white chalk cliffs – and Durdle Door – a natural limestone arch over the sea that has become the symbol of Dorset’s coastal walks. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most photographed spots in the county.
You can do the walk in either direction, but our preference is to start and finish at Lulworth Cove as the Lulworth Cove Inn makes the perfect venue for a post-walk meal. The starting point is round the back of the Lulworth Cove Car Park. From there you’ll need to follow the signs for the South West Coast Path towards Durdle Door. The route is well marked, but it can be a fairly steep climb due to the up and down nature of the cliffs.
2. Isle of Portland, circular walk
Distance: 8 miles
Difficulty: hard
This circular walk in Dorset around Portland is very achievable, if slightly long for your average walker. The coastal route offers wonderful views out to sea on a clear day. You can start at sea level, where the tidal island of Portland meets the famed Chesil Beach.
From the Olympic rings, head in an anti-clockwise direction and you will pass a number of historical points of interest including Blacknor Fort, Portland Bill Lighthouse, and Rufus Castle. We recommend stopping off for a drink and a bite to eat at the Lobster Pot Cafe where the crab sandwiches are a speciality. Take care as the path can get narrow in places and there are some sudden drops near the cliffs.
3. West Bay to Golden Cap
Distance: 4 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Starting in the pretty fishing town of West Bay – a 30-minute drive from Haven Littlesea Holiday Park – this short but challenging walk along the South West Coast Path will take you across farmland and cliff tops. From the dramatic golden cliffs of West Bay, you’ll be treated to wonderful views over the starting point of Chesil Beach and, if the conditions are right, you might be able to observe paragliders who use the cliff top for landing and take-off.
There are two steep uphill stretches on this walk – the first up Thorncombe Beacon, then to Golden Cap itself, the highest point on the South Coast. This can be a little tough on the legs, but there is the excellent Anchor Inn between the two, and the views at the peak – all the way along Chesil Beach to Portland in the east and across Lyme Bay to Lyme Regis in the west – make your efforts worthwhile.
4. Poole Cockle Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: easy
Not only is Poole’s famous Cockle Trail a great opportunity to explore the history of the town, but it's also one of the best dog walks in Dorset. The route begins on the site of the “Fish Shambles”, just a couple of miles from our Rockley Park Holiday Park. From there you can follow a series of numbered, brass cockle signs that will guide you around Poole’s sites of historic interest.
You'll uncover all sorts of stories on the trail, from the town’s involvement in the D-Day landings, to the notorious smuggling gangs that once operated in the area. The walk is suitable for anyone, from the elderly to kids and canines.
5. Corfe Castle
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: easy
Found at the heart of the Isle of Purbeck, Corfe Castle village is famed for its ruined castle and scenic countryside. There are plenty of trails starting from the village including a 12-mile walk to Swanage, from where you can get the steam train back to Corfe. However, for those looking for a more casual stroll, there's a dog-friendly route that loops around the ruins of the castle.
Let the kids’ imaginations run wild as they explore the ruins and enjoy the lovely scenery on offer around Corfe Common. There’s a National Trust car park nearby which can be reached in under 45 minutes by car from any of our Dorset holiday parks.
6. Old Harry Rocks walk
Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Old Harry Rocks, located in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a very common walking destination from both Swanage and Studland. We recommend the latter for an easy-going out-and-back walk that takes in the highlights. The famed chalky headland is owned by the National Trust and lies a mile or so directly east of Studland. Ready your phone as there will be plenty of breathtaking photo opportunities en route, making it one of the best walks in Dorset. As the path is relatively flat, it’s suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels; dogs are also welcome but must be on a leash.
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Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
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Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
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As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
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Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
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Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
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An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
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Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.