Lulworth hotels and self catering cottage accommodation in Lulworth

Dorset » Lulworth accommodation

Lulworth Cove, located in between Swanage and Weymouth, is not only one of the greatest natural coves worldwide, but also home to landforms and fossils of such importance that it's part of the UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Differently resistant rock groups, lined up along the seacoast, comprise this cove, where the outmost edge is made of hard limestone, followed by a yielding layer of sand and clay, up to the stronger, chalky Purbeck Hills. Where the water has crossed the first barrier, it has easily eroded the next one, and was stopped by the final one. Once featured in the 'Seven Natural Wonders' TV show, this active fishing cove includes a snorkel-friendly beach, where you can also swim and dive.

Close by is the well-known 'Fossil Forest', exhibiting tree growths 135 million years old and evidence of a past beach.

Durdle Door, an astonishing limestone arch, also created by the different erosion periods, is just a walk away from Lulworth Cove, as is Stair Hole, a similar example of the geological forces at work here.

West Lulworth sits only half a mile away from the cove, and is a great base from which to explore the Jurassic Coast. In this lovely village, one can find a pub from the 16th century, the Castle Inn, which still features original decorations and architecture.

A castle-style lodge from the 17th century, Lulworth Castle was built by the son of the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Howard, and later on sustained damage during the Civil War. After being sold to the Weld family, the building suffered an intense fire in 1929 which left it without a roof until, about 40 years ago, restoration began.