Page 63 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

DRIVE 4: Hardy Country and the Jurassic Coast 61

Far left Corfe Castle’s dramatic Norman
hilltop ruins Left The peaceful town of
Wareham, located on the River Frome
EAT AND DRINK
SWANAGE
Bull and Boat moderate
Enjoy fabulous beach views from this
modern eatery with a strong seafood
menu. Try the lobster served with
steak and giant prawns or the sea bass
cooked with leeks and mushrooms.
Wareham Boat Hire (01929 550 688; sailing events in the 2012 Olympics. 2 Ulwell Road, BH19 1LH; 01929 422
222; www.bullandboat.co.uk
www.warehamboathire.co.uk; Mar–Oct). To the south, the Isle of Portland,
ª Leave town on A352, turn left on connected to the mainland by a WORTH MATRAVERS
B3070, signed Lulworth Cove, through causeway, has a wild coastline worth The Square and Compass inexpensive
West Lulworth to the cove and car park. exploring – dinosaur footprints have Great pasties and real ales are served
been found here. Northwest stretches at this excellent flagstoned pub with
5 Lulworth Cove the 29-km (18-mile) pebble strand of great views and a small museum of
fossils and other local finds.
Dorset; BH20 5RQ Chesil Beach, a bleak, unearthly Worth Matravers, BH19 3LF; 01929 439
Below the Purbeck Hills with dramatic expanse backed by the Fleet Lagoon, 229; www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk
chalk cliffs lie a series of enticing a nature reserve. CORFE CASTLE
shingle and shale beaches, reached ª Take the B3157 northwest, following
by the coastal path. One of these, the signs to Abbotsbury. Morton’s House inexpensive–moderate
This 16th-century manor house has
nearly circular Lulworth Cove fills with been tastefully converted into a smart
small vessels in summer and offers 7 Abbotsbury hotel-restaurant. Lunch on soups, salads
sheltered swimming. A 15-minute Dorset; DT3 4JT and snacks in the bar, or guinea fowl or
walk west stands spectacular Durdle The only remaining building of a halibut in the more formal restaurant.
Door, a natural limestone archway in Benedictine Abbey, a15th-century East St, BH20 5EE; 01929 480 988;
www.mortonshouse.co.uk
the sea at the popular beach, Durdle tithe barn now houses a Children’s
Bay. Purbeck’s seaboard forms part of Farm (mid-Mar–early Sep & half-term: WEYMOUTH
the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage open daily; early Sep–Oct: open weekends), Old Rooms Inn inexpensive
Site whose geological makeup has where kids can get close to a range of Right by the fishing harbour, with
yielded a rich trove of fossil finds. animals. There is also a garden filled tables outside, this pub offers a range
of snacks from salads to burgers and
ª From West Lulworth, follow signs for with exotic plants, and the Swannery grills, as well as real ales.
Dorchester, passing the turn for Durdle (mid-Mar–Oct: open daily), home to a Cove Row, DT4 8TT; 01305 771 130
Door. Turn left on A352 and left again colony of mute swans, best visited in Crab House Café moderate
on the A353 to Weymouth and the town June, when the swans nest and the On Fleet Lagoon, this simple shack
centre – park at ferry terminal. young hatch. Climb up to the hilltop with a few wooden tables serves
St Catherine’s Chapel for stupendous superb fresh seafood such as Portland
6 Weymouth views (and the path to the Swannery). crab and huge prawns in tarragon
Dorset; DT8 4ED ª Turn right at Strangeways Hall and butter. The Oyster Farm, Ferryman’s
Way, DT4 9YU; 01305 788 867; open
With its sandy beach, promenade, leave via Back Street on a steep, narrow Wed–Sun; booking essential;
Punch & Judy and donkey rides, ascent with great coastal views. Cross www.crabhousecafe.co.uk
Weymouth is a typical traditional over the junction, following signs to
English resort. Sailing, kitesurfing and the Hardy Monument. Turn right onto Below left Traditional seaside facilities at
windsurfing are popular activities, B3159 and left to Dorchester. Park in Weymouth’s sandy beach Below right Sheltered,
especially since the town hosted town centre off Acland Road. horseshoe-shaped bay of Lulworth Cove

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