Lulworth Cove in Dorset, is a world famous horse-shoe shaped cove, at the end of the picturesque village of West Lulworth. It is geologically spectacular and a gateway to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast. At Stair Hole, next to Lulworth Cove, can be seen incredible folded rock strata and natural arches, through which the sea enters.
Lulworth Cove is a very popular tourist destination, with good sea bathing from several beaches, boat trips along the coast and excellent parking and refreshment facilities. Close to the top of the village, is the Heritage Centre, providing free exhibitions and displays about Lulworth geology, history and wildlife. There are lovely cliff top walks east to Mupe Bay and the Fossil Forest. Further east, the walks are part of military firing ranges and are only open at weekends, but are open to the public throughout the whole of August. The South West Coast Path west from Lulworth Cove, leads to the limestone arch of Durdle Door, which at times, becomes crowded during summer weekends.
As with many other Dorset locations, Thomas Hardy, the novelist and poet, was closely connected with Lulworth Cove. In his novel, ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’, he describes Lulworth Cove as a ‘miniature Mediterranean’, but calls it ‘Lulwind Cove’. The opening scene of the 2015 feature film, ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’, shows the beauty of this cove. In 1920, Thomas Hardy wrote the poem, ‘At Lulworth Cove a Century Back’. The first part of the poem is written on the external wall of the Lulworth Cove Inn.
