South West Coast Path - Dorset Coast

89 miles (142kms) from Lyme Regis to Poole Harbour
9 nights; 8 days walking

A switchback route along the top of towering cliffs all the way from Lyme Regis to West Bay; easy walking on beaches, shingle banks and field paths between West Bay and Osmington Mills; a challenging roller-coaster of chalk downland which ends abruptly in massive cliffs all along the coast of the Isle of Purbeck between White Nothe and Foreland Point; beaches and colourful, wildlife-rich Dorset heath between Studland and South Haven Point on the shore of Poole Harbour.

 

Durdle Door from the beach

 

Highlights include the famous Cobb at Lyme Regis; the views from the top of the Golden Cap; The Swannary at Abbotsbury, and the 15th century St Catherine’s Chapel; the world-famous Chesil Bank and the Fleet Lagoon; the Isle of Portland and the views from Portland Bill, the towering rock arch of Durdle Door; the tranquil circular lagoon of Lulworth Cove; the crescent sweep of Worbarrow Bay; the view of Portland Bill from Flowers Barrow; the exhilarating climb to the top of Houns-Tout Cliff; the charming town of Swanage; the chalk sea stacks of Old Harry Rocks; the Norman church in Studland; and the steel sculpture at South Haven Point which marks the end of the South West Coast Path.

 

Chalk sea stacks at South Haven Point

 

To give you a 'taster' of the landscape take a look at the beautiful aerial photography in this short video.

Approximate daily distances:
  •  Lyme Regis to West Bay - 10 miles (16 kms)
  •  West Bay to Abbotsbury - 10 miles (16 kms)
  •  Abbotsbury to Fortuneswell (Isle of Portland) - 14 miles (22 kms)
  •  Fortuneswell to Weymouth - 14 miles (22 kms)
  •  Weymouth to Lulworth Cove - 12 miles (19 kms)
  •  Lulworth Cove to Kimmeridge - 8 miles (13 kms)
  •  Kimmeridge to Swanage - 13 miles (21 kms)
  •  Swanage to South Haven Point (Poole Harbour) - 8 miles (13 kms)

 

Note; if you prefer not to take in the circuit of the Isle of Portland and instead walk from Abbotsbury to Weymouth (14 miles (22 kms) as the third stage, thereby reducing the holiday to eight nights and seven days walking, the cost of the holiday would reduce to £1,025. 

 

return to South West Coast Path introduction

 

What's included in the price of this holiday?

 

SWCP map

Holiday Options

3 3
Code:SWCP10
Grade:3 - 2
Nights:9
Price:£1,310.00
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Currency Converter: All of our prices are in British pounds. To estimate the cost in another currency use the currency converter here.

Travel information - start

Rail: Axminster
Onward travel: Public bus

Travel information - finish
Rail: Poole
Onward travel: On foot or taxi

More travel information

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footpath holidays logo With effect from 1st March 2025

We will no longer be accepting new bookings for our:

Rest assured, any bookings already in place will go ahead as planned. The website general information pages, and any pages relating to the individual destinations, will remain ‘live’ as a reference point for guests with active bookings.

This is part of a restructuring exercise as we hand the reins over to the next generation. Our work as ‘ground handlers’ for specialist agents and tour operators, and with pre-formed groups, continues, as does our ‘private driver guiding’ (www.bbhtours.co.uk).

Our office is still fully functional, and we are happy to continue to answer queries and provide advice, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

We are also happy to recommend Contours Holidays (www.contours.co.uk), who have been offering a wide range of self-guided holidays since 1996. Mention Footpath Holidays to receive their ‘Friends Referral Offer’.

After thirty-three years at the helm, and twenty-two years of arranging self-guided holidays, this does feel like a big step. Thank you to our numerous past guests and ‘regulars’; it has been a pleasure to look after you.

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