The meeting point for the start of this walk will be the YHA at Lulworth Cove. For those driving, please park considerately on the local streets, or at the main parking in West Lulworth.
The walk will start at 10.00 am, and we’ll take the path up over Bindon Hill, and onto the Jurassic-aged Jewel, the Fossil Forest. (note: due to some recent cliff falls, access to the Fossil Forest itself may be limited). Continuing on the SW Coast path, past Smuggler’s Cave and Mupe Bay, we’ll then climb to rejoin the ridge along Bindon Hill, and onto the Lulworth Ranges. As we descend down to Arish Mell cove, keep your eye out for a variety of MOD toys and contraptions!
We then climb Rings Hill to the Iron-age Flower’s Barrow hill fort. Continuing east along the ridge, we’ll pass Whiteway hill before reaching the summit viewpoint of Povington Hill. A short decent down into the valley leads us to the abandoned village of Tyneham, and conveniently, our lunch stop. This village was requisitioned by the MOD during WWII, and has been preserved in this state ever since. As well as lunch, we’ll spend a little time exploring the village (there are also toilets available here).
We will then leave Tyneham, and take the Hardy Way before rejoining the SW Coast Path, and retrace our steps west back up towards Bindon Hill.
Following the ridge westwards, we will exit the MOD ranges, and then descend down into West Lulworth.
A short stroll through the village leads us to our pub stop for the day, the Castle Arms. From our pub stop, it is about 100 m back to the YHA in West Lulworth.
Sat Nav: BH20 5SA or 50.6251 -2.2400
Grid Ref: SY832806