Everything you Need to Know about Visiting Lulworth Cove

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An in-depth guide to visiting Lulworth Cove on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast – written by a local!

Lulworth Cove is a stunning natural cove located on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, renowned for its unique geological formations and beautiful scenery. The almost-circular cove has an incredibly narrow entrance, usually resulting in very calm, flat waters.

There’s a white shingle beach backed by high chalk cliffs, and a tiny scattering of pretty cottages and shops nestled along the single street leading down to the beach. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting this gorgeous coastal hotspot.

What is Lulworth Cove?

Lulworth Cove was formed over thousands of years through the process of erosion. The sea gradually broke through a narrow band of hard Portland limestone that runs parallel to the shoreline. Once the sea breached this barrier, it began to erode the softer clays and sands behind it much more quickly. This erosion created the wide, circular shape of the cove we see today.

The cove is an excellent example of a concordant coastline, where bands of rock run parallel to the shore, leading to unique erosion patterns and landforms. It’s a popular site for geology students and researchers because the rock layers tell a story of different geological periods and conditions. More importantly for the “everyday” visitor, though, the unique rock formations and distinctive arc-shaped cove are an exceptionally beautiful spot for walking, swimming, and exploring – with a backdrop that showcases the power of natural forces over time.

Getting There

By Car

The postcode for Lulworth Cove Car Park is: BH20 5RQ

If you’re travelling from Bournemouth or London direction, aim for Wareham. Head through the town following Wareham Road (the A352), then turn left onto the B3070 following signs for East Lulworth and Lulworth Cove. Once you’ve passed through the village of West Lulworth, turn left towards Lulworth Cove. The car park is clearly signposted on the right just before you reach the village.

If you’re travelling from Weymouth or Dorchester direction, begin by following signs for Wool. Look out for a right-hand turning signposted for Winfrith Newburgh just before the Red Lion Hotel on the A352 (shortly after you pass the Dobbies Garden Centre). Drive through Winfrith Newburgh village and follow the road up to the coast, past Durdle Door, following signs for Lulworth Cove.

Lulworth Cove Car Park

There is a very large car park at Lulworth Cove with space for a couple of hundred cars. However, it’s fairly expensive following a recent price rise, now costing £12.40 for 4 hours or £20 for all day. Unfortunately, this is really the only option for parking – although I have rounded up some free alternatives here.

There is a small amount of free roadside parking in the nearby village of West Lulworth. It’s on both sides of Church Road, behind holy trinity church – about a 15-minute walk to Lulworth Cove. It’s very popular during summer, so you’d need to arrive early or be very lucky to find a space – but outside of peak season, there are usually spaces. Please note there is NO roadside parking on Main Rd or West Rd in West Lulworth Village.

There is no road parking between the village of West Lulworth and Lulworth Cove, or in the village of Lulworth Cove.

Public Transport

• From Weymouth or Wareham: First Bus X54 Jurassic Coaster Weymouth to Wareham service (from mid-March). Also stops in Wool, Winfirth Newburgh, and more.
• From Wool: the Jurassic Breezer 30 (daily May to September) or the Jurassic Breezer 31 (weekends only Mar-Oct).
• From Bournemouth or Poole: take a train to Wareham or Wool, then pick up the X54 Jurassic Coaster.

By Train: The closest train station to Lulworth is in Wool, on the railway line between London Waterloo and Weymouth. The journey time from London to Wool is about 2.5 hours and there are regular trains throughout the day. There is a bus stop outside Wool Rail Station, where you can hop onto either the X54 Jurassic Coaster or the Jurassic Breezer 30/31. The bus journey to Lulworth Cove takes about 15 minutes.

Things to do in Lulworth Cove 

I’ve covered all the top things to do in the area in a separate guide – CLICK HERE to read that. Otherwise, here’s a quick overview to get you started:

• The Beach – Take a walk along the shingle to admire the towering white cliffs. It’s not much of a sunbathing beach, but the sheltered cove can be a good swimming spot in warmer months (although be aware that there are no lifeguards present).
• Take a longer walk – try my 5-mile circular walk to Durdle Door and back via Scratchy Bottom, Hambury Tout, and Bindon Hill. Click here for my route guide.
• Visitor Centre – Discover the area’s geology and history (and see some local fossils).
• Doll’s House – a tiny, traditional-style English sweet shop.
• Fossil Forest – the remains of an ancient submerged forest from Jurassic times.
• Lulworth Outdoors – coasteering, kayaking, and other adventures.
• Durdle Door – an iconic rock archway on the Jurassic Coast. There’s a steep but relatively easy 1-mile path over the cliff to reach it from Lulworth.
• West Lulworth – a very scenic village with pretty cottages and a historic church, just up the road from Lulworth Cove (about a 15-minute walk).

Where to eat

Lulworth Cove Inn

Owned by the local Hall & Woodhouse brewery (the makers of Badger Beers), Lulworth Cove Inn is a cosy village pub with traditional vibes, log fires, and a lovely outside seating area that’s perfect in summer. They serve a good mix of typical British pub food and more contemporary options – and they do a cracking Sunday roast!

Lulworth Lodge 

Lulworth Lodge is a relaxed hotel restaurant with an excellent, seasonally changing menu that’s packed with local ingredients. Seafood is the speciality (try Lyme Bay scallops or a Dorset crab sandwich), but there’s plenty more besides. They also do a Dorset cream tea – best enjoyed on the small outside terrace.

Boat Shed Cafe

Right on the seafront with a killer view, this tiny little cafe has a great menu featuring a lot of local ingredients. The Boat Shed Cafe is a great choice for breakfast or lunch. There’s only a handful of tables inside and a small decking area across the entrance to the beach, but they also offer takeaway. 

Ice cream 

• Jake’s Homemade Ice Cream (opposite the Visitor Centre) is a small local business where the ice cream is made on-site.
• Baboo Gelato (served at the small coffee shop stand behind the Doll’s House) – a local brand made in Rampisham.
• Purbeck Ice Cream (from a hatch on the left-hand side of the road leading down to the beach) – another local brand, made on a dairy farm near Corfe Castle.

Places to Stay

Want to visit for more than a day trip? There are some excellent accommodation options in Lulworth Cove and nearby. You’ll find several holiday cottages in the village, or check out some of these fantastic local hotels:

• Lulworth Cove Inn – cheery rooms above a historic pub.
• Lulworth Lodge – probably the closest you can stay to the beach!
• Limestone Hotel – stylish country house in West Lulworth.
• Castle Inn – cute thatched property in West Lulworth.
• Marley House Bed and Breakfast – welcoming B&B in the charming village of Winfrith Newburgh.
• Durdle Door Holiday Park – clifftop holiday homes and glamping pods on a family-owned holiday park with fantastic coastal views.

Whether you’re a geology enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a picturesque spot to relax, Lulworth Cove offers something for everyone. Its unique geological formations and stunning scenery make it a must-visit destination on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.

Got a question about visiting Lulworth Cove? Scroll down to leave a comment and we’ll get back to you!