Information
Lulworth is situated on the south coast of Dorset, half-way between the resorts of Swanage and Weymouth, and lies within the Purbeck Heritage Coast, which holds the prestigious Council of Europe Diploma.
The area between Lulworth Cove and Durdle
Door is internationally renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery and geology,
including some of the finest examples of geological folding and geomorphology
in Europe.
The wide range of habitats, resulting from this geological diversity, support a superb variety of wildlife including many species of international importance. Lulworth even has its very own butterfly; the Lulworth Skipper, first discovered near Durdle Door in 1832.
Lulworth has a long history of human activity, and its rich archaeological heritage is evident in the ancient field systems and burial mounds.
Since 1641, Lulworth has been part of the Weld Estate which also includes Lulworth Castle (open to the public) and the Lulworth Equestrian Centre. There is public access to many parts of the Estate and a number of pamphlets for self-guided walks are available at the Heritage Centre and Castle.
Today, Lulworth attracts over half a million visitors each year. In such an important and environmentally sensitive area, careful management is required to minimise the effect of this pressure. The importance of Lulworth is reflected in the numerous designations such as SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and Heritage Coast, which help to conserve its unique natural heritage.
To find out more about Lulworth, check out the following sections:
Original text written by Maddy Pfaff
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