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A quick guide to the beaches along the Jurassic Coast in East Dorset (between Weymouth and Swanage).
Although better known for its fossils, rock formations and cliff walks, the Jurassic Coast is packed with some beautiful beaches, too. Especially the easternmost section, running east from Weymouth to the Isle of Purbeck.
From famous spots like Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove to hidden gems that can only be reached on foot, there are some seriously beautiful beaches to discover here. This guide gives a quick overview of each one, with all the info you need to know about visiting…
Dorset Jurassic Coast Beaches (Heading East from Weymouth)
Safety First: The more remote beaches along this coast aren’t always safe for swimming. Some shelve steeply into the sea (meaning the water gets deep fast), and currents can be strong. Extra care should always be taken, especially on beaches where no lifeguards are on duty. Don’t enter the water if the conditions look bad or you’re unsure.
Osmington Mills
Rugged, rocky beach with a small waterfall!
Beach Type: Pebble and rock
Nearest Parking: Small car park opposite pub
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Usually very quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Pub nearby.
Facilities & Attractions:
- The Smugglers Inn – a historic pub once used as a hangout by local smugglers.
- Small waterfall on beach.
- Good beach for spotting fossils.
FYI: The sea can be rough here and may not be suitable for swimming. Exercise caution as there are no lifeguards on duty.
Ringstead Bay
Unspoilt beach on a quiet stretch of the coast.
Beach Type: Shingle (sand at low tide)
Nearest Parking: Ringstead Bay Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Generally not too busy
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Cafe near car park
Facilities & Attractions:
- Good rockpooling at low tide
- South West Coast Path walking trails
Durdle Door
Famously beautiful beach with a rock arch over the sea.
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Durdle Door Car Park (access via a steep cliff path, read more here)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park.
Popularity: Very busy in summer.
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead.
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosk in car park. Shop and cafe in adjacent holiday park.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Durdle Door rock arch
- Many good cliff walks nearby
FYI: The water isn’t always safe for swimming, and it’s very dangerous to climb on (or jump off) the rock arch.
Man O’War Bay
Next door to Durdle Door: quieter, nicer, and better for swimming!
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Durdle Door Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Busy in summer (though usually less so than Durdle Door)
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosk in car park. Cafe and shop in adjacent holiday park.
Facilities & Attractions:
- None on beach
- Many good cliff walks nearby
Lulworth Cove
Perfectly semi-circular cove backed by white chalk cliffs.
Beach Type: Pebble
Nearest Parking: Lulworth Cove Car Park (£20 a day, read more here)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Near the cove and at the Visitor Centre
Popularity: Usually not too busy
Dogs Allowed: On the left-hand side of the slipway (all year, off lead)
Food & Drink: Cafes and refreshment kiosks near beach entrance.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre
- Watersports equipment for hire (near slipway)
- Many good cliff walks nearby
Mupe Bay
Hidden gem: a secluded cove that can only be reached by walking.
Beach Type: Sand & shingle
Nearest Parking: Lulworth Cove Car Park (approx 2-mile walk, quite challenging)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: No
Popularity: Usually very quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: None nearby
Facilities & Attractions:
- None on beach
- Many good cliff walks nearby
FYI: This beach can only be reached on foot via the South West Coast Path, and only when the Lulworth Range Walks are open (as the MOD uses this area for firing practice). Click here to check the timetable.
Worbarrow Bay
A quiet, unspoilt beach that can only be reached by walking (fairly flat and easy).
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Tyneham Village Car Park (1 mile walk – cash-only donation)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Usually quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: None on beach. Local cafe Salt Pig sometimes has a pop-up kiosk in Tyneham village.
Facilities & Attractions:
- None on beach
- Flower’s Barrow (Iron Age hillfort)
- Worbarrow Tout
- Tyneham – ruined “forgotten” village, abandoned when the MOD took over the area during WWII.
FYI: Tyneham and Worbarrow Bay can be accessed only when the Lulworth Range Walks are open (as the MOD uses this area for firing practice). Click here to check the timetable.
Kimmeridge Bay
Rocky, wildlife-rich cove great for snorkelling and rockpooling.
Beach Type: Rock
Nearest Parking: Kimmeridge Bay Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Near Wild Seas Centre
Popularity: Usually fairly quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: None nearby
Facilities & Attractions:
- Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre
- Clavell Tower
- Underwater nature trail for snorkellers (see Wild Seas Centre for info)
- The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life
Chapman’s Pool
Remote, secluded cove that can only be reached by walking – great for fossils!
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Renscombe Car Park, Worth Matravers (approx 1 mile walk)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: None
Popularity: Usually very quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: None nearby (closest options in Worth Matravers)
Facilities & Attractions:
- Good rockpooling
- Look out for ammonites, reptiles and shell fossils (avoid the base of cliffs)
- Several great coast walks nearby: check out our Chapman’s Pool Walk!
Dancing Ledge
A man-made tidal swimming pool on a cliff edge.
Beach Type: Rock (not technically a beach)
Nearest Parking: Spyway Car Park (National Trust) in Langton Matravers (approx 1 mile walk).
*You can also walk from Durlston Country Park (click here for our route guide) or Worth Matravers Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: None
Popularity: Generally quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year (but keep them away from the cliff edges)
Food & Drink: None nearby
FYI: Dancing Ledge is a 2.5m climb/drop down a rock face and there are no steps. Also, only the tidal pool is safe for bathing, do not attempt to swim in the sea here.
Jurassic Coast Beaches: Map
- Osmington Mills: Rock and pebble. Dog-friendly all year.
- Ringstead Bay: Sand and shingle. Dog-friendly all year.
- Durdle Door: Shingle. Dog-friendly all year.
- Man O’War Bay: Shingle. Dog-friendly all year.
- Lulworth Cove: Pebble and shingle. Dog-friendly all year.
- Mupe Bay: Shingle. Dog-friendly all year. (No car park or facilities – only reachable by walking).
- Worbarrow Bay: Pebble and shingle. Dog-friendly all year. (Car park one mile from beach).
- Kimmeridge Bay: Rocks. Dog-friendly all year.
- Chapman’s Pool: Shingle. Dog-friendly all year. (No car park or facilities – only reachable by walking).
- Dancing Ledge: Not technically a beach, but a man-made tidal swimming pool carved into the rock face at the foot of the cliffs. (Only reachable by walking).
More Nearby
Remember – don’t enter the water if you’re unsure of conditions, and take extra care on beaches without lifeguards.
Hope this guide to the beaches along East Dorset’s Jurassic Coast helps you plan your next seaside trip. Feel free to ask questions in the comments below!
