If you’re planning to walk beyond Lulworth Cove towards the Lulworth Ranges, it’s important to check the access arrangements before setting out.
The ranges are an unusual part of the Jurassic Coast. They are used by the military for training, but when access is permitted there are some wonderful walks through the countryside and along the coast, including routes to Tyneham, Mupe Bay and Worbarrow Bay.
When can you walk in the Lulworth Ranges?
The Lulworth Range walks and Tyneham village are normally open to the public at weekends, although there are several weekends each year when they are closed.
There are also additional periods when the ranges are open every day, including some school holidays and stand-down periods.
The dates change each year, so we recommend checking the official Ministry of Defence information before you leave.
Check the current Lulworth Range access times →
The MOD also publishes monthly firing information, which is worth checking if you’re planning a walk during the week.
Why does access change?
The Lulworth Ranges are an active military training area.
When firing or other military activity is taking place, parts of the ranges are closed to the public. Access can also change at short notice because of operational requirements.
Never enter a closed range, even if a route appears to be accessible.
Red flags during the day and red lamps at night indicate that live firing is taking place. Range boundaries are marked with red and white poles.
What can you walk to?
When the ranges are open, there are several interesting places to explore.
Tyneham
Tyneham is an abandoned village that was taken over by the Army during the Second World War.
The village is open to visitors when range access allows, and the church and school provide an interesting glimpse into the history of the village.
The Tyneham gate normally opens at 9am on days when there is no military activity and closes at dusk.
Your can read more about Tyneham Ghost Village on our InLulworth website post – an independent guide for all things Lulworth.
Worbarrow Bay
Worbarrow Bay is one of the more remote beaches on this stretch of the Jurassic Coast.
It is reached on foot and is only accessible when the ranges are open and it is safe to do so.
There are no cafés or shops at the beach, so take everything you need with you and allow plenty of time for the walk.
Mupe Bay
Mupe Bay is another beautiful and relatively remote part of the coast.
It’s particularly important to check access before walking here, as the bay lies within the Lulworth Ranges.
There is also a specific safety warning for Mupe Bay: visitors are strongly advised to stay clear of the northern half of the beach because of the possibility of rock falls.
A note about walking in the ranges
The countryside can feel wonderfully wild once you’re away from the more popular parts of Lulworth, but this isn’t somewhere to wander off the marked routes.
Keep to the designated paths, follow all signs and obey any range staff or safety instructions.
Do not touch military debris or other objects you find on the ground. The MOD warns that these can be dangerous.
And, as with all coastal walking around Lulworth, take care near cliffs and cliff edges.
Before you set off
Our advice is simple:
Check first. Look at the latest MOD access information before setting out.
Look for the warning signals. If red flags or red lamps are displayed, do not enter the range.
Don’t rely on an old timetable. Access arrangements change from year to year and can sometimes change at short notice.
Take what you need. The more remote walks have very few facilities.
Allow extra time. These are walks to enjoy rather than routes to rush.
Staying at Honeysuckle Cottage
The Lulworth Ranges are just one of the many places you can explore during a stay at Honeysuckle Cottage.
We’re around a 10-minute walk from Lulworth Cove, making it easy to leave the car behind and start exploring on foot.
For other walks in the area, see our guide to Great Walks in Lulworth →.