Lulworth Cove, Man o war or Durdle Door?

[wowsaidtheowl]

Which beach with kids aged 4 and 7? I know we can walk along the coastal path past them all but I like a plan. Which one should be our main spot?!

Man o war bay is the best place at durdle door as its the most sheltered, but it is a long walk down and up especially for a 4 year old. Lulworth cove has more facilities and is easier to access, but isn't as nice I don't think. It is worth a visit, though. If you park at Lulworth you can walk over to the other two, but, again, it's a long walk.

What about kimmeridge?

Oh yes kimmeridge bay, loads of crabbing, really interesting fossils and rocks to climb on and explore. And loads of parking! Although it is £5 a car. It's very beautiful though. No cafe there's just a little seasonal van so take a picnic and crabbing gear. Tons of fossils.

yes to man-o-war. nice shallow water for paddling.
durdle door is great for a walk along the beach.
lulworth cove is good for looking at rock pools at low tide, but it's more a harbour than a beach,

your thighs will burn either way from going up and down the coastal path :o

I've always liked Lulworth Cove, although I've not been in 20 years.
DH grew up swimming in Man' O' War bay but thinks it's less suitable for a 4 year old. Too much seaweed apparently.......

It’s only a few minutes downto man o war, which is usually less crowded than durdle door. My kids made the descent fine at 2.
Lulwprth is not that appealing for swimming to me, as it’s almost a closed pool it never seems as clean. Kimmeridge is great, and the next one along, tynham, but it’s a 15 mom walk from the car park.
Enjoy

Durdle door is next to man of war. Go to Dorset every year. Think my daughter was 7 the second time she went to durdle door. The first time she was a baby and I carried her down. Lulworth is most child friendly. The beach at Arne is our favourite. If you want sand, toilets and ice cream Bournemouth is the place. Dorset is beautiful

Worbarrow Bay (accessed via Tyneham) would be better than any of the ones you listed as it is much more sheltered and is relatively shallow. The shelf at Durdle Door drops away so steeply that it's literally a couple of strides into the sea before the sea is deeper than adult standing height, iyswim, and the waves are pretty strong even on a calm day. Or as a PP has said, Kimmeridge for rock-pooling and fossils. But all of those beaches are pebbly at best. With a 4 and 7 year old - seriously I'd make the effort to go further east to Knoll Beach at Studland Bay so they can actually paddle and build sandcastles. Or Swanage, Weymouth, or Ringstead Bay (although that's more shingle).

Arne is lovely. Yes to kimmeridge (Lovely fossil museum and nice food at the resyaurant opposite)

Id avoid Bournemouth in summer though and aim for studland if you want sand!

Some beautiful coast. View at lulworth is lovely. Ringstead is another favourite further along. Dont do the walk at the top of old hareys rocks. Terrifies me the kids will fall in. Also love durlston for a country park walk - lighthouse, globe, rocks etc!

We use watershoes for pebbly beaches. Kimmeridge was so shallow they played for ages. Forgot about worbarrow - love that and they mighy enjoy exploring tyneham village too. Mine love the empty schoolroom.

Have to check the ranges are open if you want to go to worbarrow and tyneham. The beaches on purbeck side of the harbour are sandy and the water is shallow. National trust, have to pay for parking if you are not a member. Kimmeridge is a definite no on a windy day. Bits of cliff face falling off

There is a part of studland beach which is a nudist beach. Just saying in case OP is bothered

The Ranges are open during the summer holidays and also most weekends. I assumed the OP was heading there shortly but if not, then yes, check the ranges are open.

The nudist part of Studland is a long, long, walk from the car park, so don't worry about stumbling across it inadvertently with small children!

Ha! Might give the nudist bit a miss - not sure I could cope with my kids pointing and staring. We walked along the coastal path from Durdle Doyto Lulworth Cove today and it was lovely. Might try Kimmeridge a go tomorrow. Thanks for the top tips!

Sorry for typos!

Kimmeridge was fantastic! Thank you so much for the suggestion. So beautiful. It was a bit sad to see everyone smashing up the rocks to find fossils though- I hope that something can be done before it’s spoilt.