Short break: Jurassic Coast, England

When to go: Year-round. Spring and autumn (outside of any school holidays) are the best times, offering decent weather and fewer people. Check tynehamopc.org.uk for opening times of Tyneham ghost village; call 01929 404819 for firing times at MOD Lulworth Range.

Getting there: Bournemouth airport is 43km away from both Lulworth Cove and Studland (the official start of the Jurassic Coast). The nearest train station to Lulworth is Wool (8km; on the Bournemouth-Weymouth line). You can arrange a taxi pick-up from here.

Getting around: Aside from walking the South West Coast Path, the best way to explore is by car – buses are infrequent.

Where to stay: Lulworth Cove is an ideal base for exploring the coast. Lulworth Lodge is a newly refurbished walker’s hotel, minutes from the sea, run by HF Holidays. A self-guided three-night walking break costs from £249pp and includes maps, suggested walking routes, hearty breakfasts, an ample picnic lunch and a tasty dinner.

More info: For more Jurassic Coast information see jurassiccoast.org and southwestcoastpath.com.

Further reading: For more on the area see the Slow Dorset Guide (Bradt, 2015). For a good walking companion check out Walking the Jurassic Coast (Cicerone, 2015).

What better way to end a three-day exploration of this coast than with a journey to its start. Get in the car and drive east, bound for Old Harry Rocks, the easternmost point of the Jurassic Coast. Here, waves froth around three white stacks that were once part of a long bed of chalk running from the Isle of Purbeck to the Isle of White.

Old Harry Rocks used to be the bases of arches but are now spires. It’s a pleasant 1.5km stroll to take them in on land, or you could get closer by sea kayak. En route it’s worth visiting Durlston Country Park near Swanage. There are several trails but the best takes you down to Durlston Castle (a restaurant), past the stone map of the world and along the clifftops; here you might spy some of the 250-plus bird species that have been recorded or climbers about to tackle the cliff faces below.

Wander along to see the old lighthouse at Anvil Point. Take the inland road to pay a visit to Corfe Castle. Built in the 11th century, it’s now an atmospheric ruin that offers views over the Purbeck Hills and beyond. End at the on-site cafe for a slap-up celebratory Dorset cream tea – and a promise to come back and explore more of the Jurassic Coast.


Main image: Durdle Door (Shutterstock)