Golden October on the Jurassic Coast: Our Day in Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is a bay. A perfectly round bay. As if someone briefly dropped a marble onto the earth. It sits right between a hillside on one side and steep cliffs on the other. That’s exactly what we love about England: the variety of nature. So, just like around 500,000 other visitors each year, we made our way to this beautiful spot.

In October you expect a lot of things - just not necessarily beach weather. We’ll explain what we mean in a second. Lulworth Cove in Dorset is a popular day-trip destination and on many people’s bucket list. It surprised us with its very own wild energy.

An adventurous start (and a little scramble)

As soon as we arrived, we realised: it’s not only people moving here - the landscape is, too. The pebble beach that runs around the cove wasn’t fully accessible. In 2024 there was a landslip and a lot of rock and debris came down, cutting off the path halfway around the bay. You’re allowed to cross the rubble, but you’re explicitly warned. We walked past the warning signs and then it was time for us to climb. The scramble over the rocks was worth it, because once we reached the other side, the cove looked absolutely breathtaking.

Important for your planning: If you’re planning to visit, don’t underestimate the cliffs. Watch the conditions carefully and decide whether you really want to climb across, or whether it’s better to skip it. Sturdy shoes are an absolute must here. You won’t get far in flip-flops on these rocks.

Food check - the famous crab sandwich

In what felt like every travel guide we read beforehand, we kept seeing: “You have to eat a crab sandwich in Lulworth!” So we did. Our honest verdict? It wasn’t really our thing - even though we usually like fish. Maybe you have to be a true fan of this particular style.

If fish isn’t for you, there are other options too. We also tried a Cornish pasty, which we liked more. The local ice cream at the kiosk looked amazing as well. Whatever you choose in the end, the view while eating is priceless.

Contrast program: whipping wind and brave swimmers

After soaking up the sun down on the beach, taking plenty of photos and videos, and refuelling with some food, we climbed up to the viewpoint. The contrast is wild: down in the bay it was quite warm and calm, while up on top the wind was properly icy and whipped around our ears. Still, the climb is absolutely worth it for the panoramic view over the whole cove.

Our tip: dress warmly.

And then it got a little crazy. From above we watched people use the mobile saltwater sauna (yes, there’s a mobile sauna!) and then jump straight into the freezing waves. We were shivering just watching. With the wind, it would have been far too cold for us - but people here seem tough.

In 2025, the Saltwater Sauna even won an award for “Best new Sauna”. If you’re into experiences like that, this might be a real hidden gem for you.

Visitor information

From Bournemouth: Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door Day Trip

Discover some of the most beautiful spots on the Jurassic Coast on a bus tour from Bournemouth. Explore Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door at your own pace and take in the area's spectacular views.

Visit GetYourGuide →

Parking fees:

Be prepared: parking here is quite expensive.
(Tip: your parking ticket is also valid on the same day for the Durdle Door car park or Lulworth Castle. Make the most of it!)

It gets crowded:

Even for us in October, the car park was completely full. Lots of people were on the beach or heading out on the walk to Durdle Door. We assume the summer months are even busier. So consider coming in the early morning or later in the afternoon, when most day trippers have already left.

Tide check:

It doesn’t hurt to check the tides beforehand. At high tide, the pebble beach becomes very narrow.

Sturdy footwear:

This is not a sandy beach, so we recommend sturdy shoes such as hiking boots. That way you may be able to climb across the rocks - if it’s safe.

Lulworth Cove is definitely a dream - especially in autumn, but probably in other seasons too. For us it was one of the highlights of this trip. We’d love to come back, maybe in spring.

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Website

Lulworth Cove

Address

West Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5RH (UK)