Dorset’s World Heritage Coast guided walking holidays

The landscape of Dorset really does have something to please walkers of all tastes; a spectacular ‘Jurassic’ coastline (recently favoured with World Heritage status) with some splendid sea-sculpted offshore rock formations; long downland ridges with magnificent views over both sea and countryside; delightful little combes sheltering idyllic thatched villages and isolated farmsteads set in the fold of the hills.

One of the great joys of walking in Dorset is the fantastic contrast between the coast and its rural hinterland, and our programme of walks is designed to exploit this contrast to the full. As well as enjoying some superb walking along the switch-back coast around Lulworth and the ‘Isle of Purbeck’ peninsula you will walk across the exhilarating downland which rises just inland from the cliffs. The itinerary will vary depending upon the grade and duration of the tour, but should include visits to the stone-built village of Corfe with its picturesque cottages and historic castle; the airy ridges of Nine Barrow Down, Ballard Down and Knowle Hill, which provide a hunting ground for numerous birds of prey and support a stunning variety of wild flowers and butterflies; the Studland National Nature Reserve with its unspoilt Dorset heath; and Old Harry Rocks.

Corfe Castle and the Purbeck Hills

Swanage itself is a small and charming Victorian seaside resort. During the 18th century, and prior to its popularity as a holiday destination, Swanage was a major port for the transportation of locally quarried stone and evidence of the wealth created can be seen in the historic town centre and attractive harbour. One quirky feature of Swanage is a number of masonry artefacts brought from London during the 18th century and incorporated into the fabric of buildings in the town.

We stay at Purbeck House Hotel [ETC/AA***], an imposing stone-built house in the Scottish Baronial style, which occupies a central but quiet location in the town of Swanage. Purbeck House offers well-appointed accommodation, and the restaurant a high standard of cuisine. The large and peaceful Victorian gardens are a particularly pleasant feature of Purbeck House. All bedrooms have ensuite facilities.

• Introduction
• Far West Cornwall
• South Devon Coast
• Exmoor National Park
• Dorset World Heritage Coast
• The Cotswolds
• Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
• Lake District National Park
• Yorkshire Dales
• North Yorkshire Moors
• Hadrian's Wall Country
• The Tweed Valley and Scottish Borders