Three nights is a lovely amount of time to spend in West Lulworth.
It’s long enough to walk the coast, explore Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, have a proper pub lunch, visit the castle and still leave some time to do very little at all.
Here’s how we’d spend a long weekend based at Honeysuckle Cottage.
Friday – Arrive and settle in for a long weekend in West Lulworth
Afternoon
Check in from 4pm, unpack and take your time settling into the cottage.
If you’ve arrived early, you can park at Honeysuckle Cottage from midday and head out for a walk before check-in.
Once you’re settled, there’s no need to get back in the car.
Evening
Walk down to Lulworth Cove — it’s around 10 minutes from the cottage.
Have a look around the Cove, perhaps grab an ice cream, and enjoy the coast without worrying about where to park.
For dinner, there are several places to eat within walking distance in West Lulworth. The Castle Inn is a good choice for a traditional pub supper.
Then it’s back to the cottage for a quiet evening.
Saturday – Explore the Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door walk
Morning
After breakfast, walk down to Lulworth Cove and join the South West Coast Path towards Durdle Door.
It’s around 2.5 miles there and back, although the short steep climbs make it more of a proper walk than the distance might suggest.
The views are spectacular, particularly as you approach Durdle Door.
Take water, wear sensible footwear and allow plenty of time to stop and enjoy the views rather than treating it as a race.
Read more: Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door Walk →
Afternoon
Spend some time around Durdle Door before making your way back towards Lulworth Cove.
You can return along the Coast Path, or take the countryside route near the caravan park for a change of scenery. You won’t get the same dramatic sea views, but it can feel a little easier than doing the coastal route both ways.
Back in West Lulworth, reward yourself with an ice cream or something to eat. Maybe a glass of wine on the patio which has beautiful views overlooking the village.
Evening
You could eat locally again, pick up fish and chips, or simply enjoy the cottage and its garden. You’ll find snack platters, a wine cooler if you want to make a light evening meal.
One of the nice things about staying here is that you don’t have to fill every evening with plans.
Sunday – Castle, countryside and a slower pace
Morning
After a leisurely breakfast, head to Lulworth Castle.
The castle and grounds are close enough to combine with other things in the area, and it’s worth allowing a couple of hours to explore.
If you have some change in your pocket, look out for the peacock food dispenser — 20p pieces come in handy.
Read more: Lulworth Castle & Park →
Lunch
Have lunch at one of the local pubs, or pick up something for a picnic.
The Weld Arms near Lulworth Castle is another option if you’d like to make more of a day of exploring the surrounding countryside.
Afternoon
This is the day to slow down a little.
You could explore more of the countryside around West Lulworth if the range walks are open, head back to the Cove, or simply return to Honeysuckle Cottage and enjoy some time in the garden.
If you’re looking for something a little different, the Saltwater Sauna at Lulworth Cove is another lovely way to spend an hour.
It’s a wood-fired coastal sauna rather than a traditional spa day — warm wood, the sea, the cliffs and an hour to slow down.
Read more: The Saltwater Sauna at Lulworth Cove →
Evening
Have dinner locally or stay in.
By this point, you’ve probably earned a quiet evening.
Monday – One last walk
There’s no need to rush your final morning.
Check-out is at 11am, so you could walk down to Lulworth Cove for one last look at the water before heading home.
If you haven’t already done it, this is also a good opportunity for a final coffee or ice cream before you leave.
If you have a little more time before heading home, Monkey World makes a good final stop – it’s a 15 minute drive from Honeysuckle Cottage. And when you come to stay for three nights or more and book directly with us, two Monkey World tickets are included with your stay.
Three nights, without trying to do everything
The best thing about a long weekend in West Lulworth is that you don’t actually need a packed itinerary.
The Cove and Coast Path are within walking distance, there are places to eat in the village and there is plenty to explore nearby.
Three nights gives you enough time to see some of the Jurassic Coast properly, while still having a morning or afternoon where you can simply slow down.
That’s probably our favourite way to spend a long weekend in West Lulworth.
Staying at Honeysuckle Cottage
Honeysuckle Cottage is a 300-year-old Grade II listed thatched cottage created for two, with private parking and Lulworth Cove around a 10-minute walk away.