Lulworth: A Place To Rest

Lulworth is a wonderful farm of about 32 square kilometers. It is situated in a dreamlike natural setting, in the south of Great Britain, in the county of Dorset. On the estate grounds there are such fantastic places as Lulworth Cove or Durdle Door.  In addition, 8 kilometers of the Jurassic Coast run through the farm.

Since 1641, the farm has been owned by the same family, the Welds. This family decided to give an innovative air and diversify the economic activity of the farm, which had traditionally been agricultural.

For this, from the beginning of the 20th century they opened their doors to promote rural tourism. Of course, the owners knew very well that Lulworth could make a great place to rest. Let’s get to know the farm a little better.

A little history

There is evidence of the existence of this farm since the eleventh century, although, as we have already pointed out, the current owners have been since the middle of the seventeenth century. Before Humphrey Weld bought the estate in 1641, it belonged to Thomas Howard. It was precisely this last owner who, between 1608 and 1610, built an imposing castle.

This building was not intended to be Thomas Howard’s permanent residence, but rather a supplement to his manor house at Bindon Abbey in the nearby town of Wool. Just a year after the acquisition of the estate by the Weld family, the Civil War broke out. During the war, Wool’s house was destroyed and the farm was left in the hands of the parliamentarians.

After the war, Humphrey Weld took back the estate but, now without the manor house, they had to make the castle their main residence. They made the necessary reforms and since then it has had multiple uses and occupants.

In 1929, it suffered a terrible fire that practically left it in ruins. Since then and for more than 6 decades, the castle remained devastated and at the mercy of inclement weather.

However, from an initiative of the Weld family and English Heritage, the reconstruction of the building was undertaken. The project ended in 1998, and since then, it is open to the public so that they can explore it and discover its past.

What to visit in Lulworth?

Next, we will list some of the attractions that it is possible to know in Lulworth:

Lulworth Castle

As we could see, the castle is one of the most representative buildings in Lulworth. Since its reconstruction it can be visited, always in small groups to favor its conservation. Inside the castle, you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of this magnificent building through the information panels that are distributed throughout its rooms.

If you dare to climb the tower, you will have a privileged view of the beautiful Dorset countryside. In the basement of the castle there are different exhibition rooms, where you can admire different collections, as well as watch a video of the tragic fire of 1929.

In the summer months, a series of games are held around the castle to entertain the little ones and not so little ones, such as a giant jenga. The huge grounds that surround the castle are ideal for walks, and even for a picnic.

Lulworth cove

One of the main tourist attractions in the area is Lulworth Cove – on the cover – a cove known worldwide for its particular geology. It is precisely for this reason that Unesco declared it a World Heritage Site. In it, visitors can enjoy magnificent panoramic views and, if they visit in summer, dive into a sea of ​​crystal clear waters.

It is an ideal space for outdoor sports. You can go hiking, multiple water sports and, for the more daring, coasteering . For those who just want to relax, at Lulworth Cove they can do so by cooling off in its multiple pools formed in the rocks or simply strolling along the cove eating a tasty ice cream.

Durdle Door

Durdle Door is a stone arch that was formed approximately 10,000 years ago, when the sea broke through the limestone. Its beauty is such that some consider it the most famous stone arch in the world.

The entire area is made up of large cliffs that we must descend to access the beaches. The views from above are undoubtedly spectacular, but go down to the beach to admire Durdle Door from the same height. And, if the weather is good, do it from the sea too.

The bases of the cliffs are lined with caves that have been patiently carved out by ocean waves. It is very tempting to access them, even to take a photo, but this is not recommended, since detachments are very common.

Jurassic Coast

Both Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are part of an area of ​​the British coastline known as the Jurassic Coast. Along more than 130 kilometers, this coast offers us a unique spectacle, because in its rocks you can admire up to three different geological periods: the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous.

For geology lovers, this is an essential visit, since in these 130 kilometers of coastline you can see millions of years of history in a summarized way. It is fabulous to admire, as if it were a movie, the great environmental changes that occurred over millions of years, and even fossils of strange extinct creatures.

Don’t hesitate to choose Lulworth for your holidays!

In Lulworth there are multiple accommodation options, all ideal for relaxing in the quiet of the Dorset countryside. For example, if you want to spend a few days in luxury in the heart of the farm, you can do it in the wonderful rural houses enabled for it.

These are unique accommodations featuring a tennis court, heated pool, movie theater, and most importantly, just a 5-minute drive from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.

If you prefer to sleep to the sound of the ocean waves, you can do so in the fabulous cottages located in Lulworth Cove. In Durdle Door there is a holiday complex with 6 ecologically built cabins in a space where formerly there was a set of buildings used for agricultural activity.

For those of you who do not want to or cannot afford to spend the night in the region, do not worry, because you can get there perfectly by public transport or, if you do it in your own vehicle, there are parking places enabled throughout the farm. Of course, who would argue that Lulworth is not a wonderful destination to disconnect from the routine and rest.