Durdle Door (a limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast)
Durdle Door is a world-renowned limestone arch, which rises from the sea near Lulworth, on the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site known for its geological wonders and dinosaur fossils. There are walking trails from here to nearby Lulworth Cove, where photographers often flock to see the sunrise.
If walking in nature, always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe. For coastal areas, check tide times and warning flags, and read how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
Believed to be 140 million years old, the name is Olde English for ‘pierced hole’, and was formed by wave erosion of Portland limestone, (just like waterfalls). On a fold in the rocks created when African and European tectonic plates collided.
The walking path from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door is one of the busiest footpaths in south west England (over 200,000 annual visitors). So if you don’t like crowds, visit out-of-season!
Durdle Door is home to five different types of rock, and considered a place to study geology at its finest. The local Lulworth Estate is home to various landscapes and rock types, which offer habitats to plants, insects and wildlife.
The entire estate (including Durdle Door) has been privately owned by one family for hundreds of years. Around 30% of the estate is given over to wildlife protection (for not profit) which means it homes 60% of British rare butterflies including the Lulworth Skipper. Other land is used for dairy farming, supplying M & S with fresh milk.
Litter Issues at Durdle Door
Local litter-picking groups have been appalled at the amount of litter dropped at Durdle Door in recent years. Volunteers report ‘horrendous’ amounts of plastic and glass bottles, cans and other items, along with people ‘wild toileting’ and illegally parking nearby.
One volunteer said ‘we can pick up 100g of litter off the beach at Durdle Door in a single summer’s day’.
