Durdle Door is one of the Jurassic Coast’s most iconic landscapes. It is a natural arch, formed from a layer of hard limestone standing almost vertically out of the sea.
Durdle Door stands at the foot of a steep path followed by a set of wooden steps. It is accessible from above via a car park and the South West Coast Path, from which it is a 15 minute walk down to the beach. At the foot of this path are a pair of shingle beaches – Durdle Door to the West and Man o’ War Cove to the East.
The stretch of footpath between Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove is the busiest in the south west and sees more than 200,000 walkers every year. The walk between the two sites takes 30 minutes up and down a steep, but spectacular, walking path.
Durdle Door is part of Lulworth Estate, which is owned and managed by the Weld family. The Lulworth Rangers operate out of the Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre and are responsible for conservation and visitor management across the estate.
How to Get There
Durdle Door is best accessed by car, by turning at Winfrith Newburgh if driving from the west, or at Holmebridge (shortly after Wareham) if driving from the east.
The X55 bus connects Durdle Door and neighbouring Lulworth Cove to Weymouth, The Tank Museum at Bovington, and Wool train station. Taxis to Durdle Door are available from Wool station.
For further information, visit our Travel page.
Car Parking and Facilities
Parking is available directly above Durdle Door, and is accessed via Durdle Door Holiday Park. For the latest parking information and costs, visit Lulworth Estate’s website.
It is a 15 minute walk down a steep path then steps from the car park to the beach. Good footwear (not flip flops) is essential.
Please be aware that there a no toilets on or adjacent to the beach at Durdle Door. The nearest available toilets are in the holiday park.
Although Durdle Door beach is accessed by a steep path and steps, the viewpoint from the clifftop can be accessed by all terrain wheelchairs. There are also accessible toilets available in the holiday park.
Beach Information and Dogs
Bathing at Durdle Door can be dangerous. The beach shelves steeply and there is a strong under-tow. Take care on the shoreline because sudden large waves can engulf people at the water’s edge. This has caused fatalities in the past.
Durdle Door is one of the Jurassic Coast’s dog-friendly beaches and can be enjoyed all year round with your four-legged friend.
See the below video from Lulworth Estate with everything you need to know about visiting Durdle Door.
Where to Stay
We recommend staying at Durdle Door Holiday Park, located within easy walking distance of the coastline.
There’s also nearby Swanage Coastal Park or Sandyholme Holiday Park, or you can book a cottage in the area with holidaycottages.co.uk.
For a comprehensive list of local options, visit our Accommodation page.
Walks Around Durdle Door
Walking the South West Coast Path at Durdle Door offers spectacular views across the Jurassic Coast. We recommend an Ordnance Survey map to accompany a day’s walking.
Walking the coast path to the east of Durdle Door brings you to the famous Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole.
Further afield are the incredible geological formations of Worbarrow Bay and the eerie abandoned village of Tyneham. To the west are the coastal hamlets of Osmington Mills and Ringstead.
Visitor Centre
Pay a visit to the nearby Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre, where you can learn more about Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, two of the most iconic geological features on the Jurassic Coast.
2021 update: The Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre is currently closed, but there are plans for alternate opening arrangements to be put in place for the 2021 Summer. We will update our website when more information is known.
Education Groups
Nearby Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre is typically available for school and other education groups, with a range of learning topics available.
2021 Update: Education services at Lulworth are temporarily unavailable, but enquiries about future sessions are welcome.
Please contact Lulworth’s Education team with your enquiry.
