Durdle Door (an ancient limestone arch in Dorset)
Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, formed around 10,000 years ago, when the power of the sea erosion pierced the local. This 200-foot tall arch is named after the old English for ‘thirl’ which means ‘piercing door’.
Uniquely, despite being a World Heritage Site, the arch is still owned by a private family, who own the local Lulworth Estate.
Always follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and toxic plants/trees) and on leads near birds, barnyard friends and wild ponies.
At the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel).
Still owned by a private family
Durdle Door is one of the rare places not owned by the National Trust. Instead, it’s still owned by a private family. Who have given over 30 percent of their estate for wildlife, where it homes around two-thirds of England’s rare butterflies, including Lulworth Skippers.
Take your litter home with you
Local volunteers are active in picking up litter dropped from visitors to the beaches and nearby coastal paths. Please help by sticking to official paths and taking litter home with you.
The arch is disappearing (due to coastal erosion)
The sad news is that coastal erosion means that the hard Portland limestone is gradually wearing away, and it’s thought that the roof of the arch may collapse within the next 100 years.
