West Lulworth

A car park fee and a steep downhill walk are your first introduction to one of England's most photographed coastlines. West Lulworth sits in a fold of the Purbeck Hills, a village that exists almost entirely to serve visitors heading to the legendary limestone arch that defines this stretch of the Jurassic Coast.

Durdle Door dominates everything here. The natural arch, carved by centuries of wave action, draws photographers and day-trippers in their thousands, especially during summer weekends. But walk beyond the crowds and you'll find Stair Hole, where the sea has punched through the rock to create a series of smaller arches - arguably more impressive than its famous neighbour.

Man O' War Cove offers a quieter alternative, though getting there requires sure footing along clifftop paths. The Fossil Forest, visible at low tide, reveals 150-million-year-old tree stumps in the wave-cut platform - proper geology in action.

Climbing inland, the downs provide spectacular views back over the coast. Hambury Tout and Bindon Hill offer different perspectives on the limestone cliffs, while Chideock Down stretches west towards Golden Cap. These hills are serious walking territory - steep, exposed, but with views that justify every uphill step.

Getting here means navigating narrow Dorset lanes, with Wareham the nearest proper town about 12 miles north. The village itself is small - a few cottages, the Lulworth Castle estate, and facilities geared entirely towards coastal access.

Staying at Durdle Door Holiday Park puts you within walking distance of the main attractions, though expect to share the coast with coach parties during peak season. Early mornings and late afternoons are when the light turns magical and the crowds thin out - that's when this stretch of Dorset shows why it earned UNESCO World Heritage status.