Click on the links in blue for more details. The path enters the Lulworth Military Ranges at Kimmeridge. These are open most weekends and for much of the school holidays - consult this link for details. Just inland lies the deserted village of Tyneham whose original inhabitants were, controversially, not allowed to return at the end of World War II after it had been commandeered for military training in 1943. After more switchback climbs look out for the Fossil Forest below on the cliffs just before you leave the range area. Lulworth Cove is a tourist honeypot and impressive to view from above. Not far beyond is the magnificent chalk archway of Durdle Door. After more climbing the cliffs change to rapidly eroding oily shales where sometimes fires ignite spontaneously. A proliferation of holiday centres announces the major resort of Weymouth popularised by King George III in the late 18th century. There are a wide range of facilities to satisfy all tastes. Beyond the harbour pick your way through a network of streets until you reach Sandsfoot Castle built along with Portland Castle by Henry VIII to protect one of the south coast's best natural harbours from the French. The Portland breakwaters are more recent evidence of ongoing pre-occupation with a potential maritime invasion. The east coast of the fiercely independent Isle of Portland has a succession of interesting sites, including the prison, Rufus Castle and Church Ope Cove with its beach chalets and the cliff quarries for Portland stone. Finally you reach the lighthouse dominating cliffs which are especially popular with bird-watchers during times of migration.

Photos Main Page - Poole to Kimmeridge - Portland to Lyme Regis - Lyme Regis to Exmouth