Durdle Door Beach

Durdle Door Beach sits beneath one of England's most iconic natural landmarks, a massive Portland limestone arch rising from the sea on the Jurassic Coast. The beach is a curving sweep of shingle and pebbles below steep chalk cliffs, and the arch itself frames views out into the English Channel in a way that draws visitors year-round. The adjacent Man O'War Bay to the east offers a quieter alternative with its own shingle beach. Access from the car park above involves a steep 15 to 20 minute walk down a gravel path followed by a flight of stone steps, so this is not an easily accessible beach, but the setting is genuinely spectacular.

Dogs are welcome year-round on this dog friendly beach, which is one of its great advantages given how many Dorset beaches impose summer restrictions. The steep access path and uneven pebble beach suit active dogs more than elderly ones, and the descent and return climb should be factored into the day. There are no facilities on the beach itself. Toilets, a small shop and seasonal refreshments are available at the Durdle Door Holiday Park car park at the top of the cliff. The South West Coast Path connects directly to Lulworth Cove, around 30 minutes' walk east along the clifftops.