April 23 (Wednesday) – Exploring Shaftesbury #
Today we visited the charming town of Shaftesbury in Dorset. The highlight was Gold Hill, the steep, cobbled street made famous by the iconic Hovis bread commercial.
We also stopped by:
- Museum and Garden Trust - a small but lovely spot with some interesting English history (Google Maps).
On the way to our Airbnb, we took a quick break at the Cerne Giant viewpoint. Not mind-blowing, but now we can say we’ve seen IT!
Arrived at our Airbnb in Axminster:
April 24 (Thursday) – Jurassic Coast Walk #
Today’s plan: a 4-hour circular hike along the stunning Jurassic Coastline.
Walk plan:
We followed this AllTrails route.
Parked at Ringstead Bay and started our hike.
Hehe 🍑, we all can be kids sometimes.
Ahhh no, look at all those people! We were just getting used to being away from crowds.
Woo, halfway through! Quick break and some well-deserved ice cream, then back on the trail.
Oof, the return hike looks tougher!
Out of breath, but totally worth it.
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind lying down right now too!
Maybe next time, just no more energy left!
The views here are truly world-class, dramatic cliffs and unique rock formations shaped by millions of years of erosion.
Lunch at The Smugglers Inn.
Done with lunch, time to head back to our Airbnb.
What is it with Dorset and a butt theme? 😂
April 25 (Friday) – Rest Day and Coastal Towns #
After yesterday’s hike, our legs were toast. So today we took it easy and visited a few coastal towns.
First up: Weymouth
Climbed all 155 steps to the top!
The original mechanism was replaced with LEDs.
A bit windy up there!
Was too easy, doesn’t feel like I deserve this!
Lunch at Hive Beach Café, great lobster and classic fish & chips. 😋
Stopped at West Bay Cliffs
Ended the day with a hike up Golden Cap, the highest point in Dorset from Langdon Hill Car Park.
Golden Cap under a golden sky.
Was barely a hike, really.
April 26 (Saturday) Jurassic Coastline Walk Day 2
#
Well, the day started with a road accident blocking our way:
Injuries in crash on A35 at Morcombelake | Dorset Echo
Change of plans! More coastal towns and a castle visit after the road cleared.
The Town Mill a working flour mill where you can buy freshly milled flour.
Lunch at Galley Café, delicious lamb sausage roll and Guinness chocolate cake. Unfortunately we have jumped on them too fast to take a picture :(
Then, on to Old Harry Rocks.
Done for the day, now off to eat.
Quick extra Corfe Castle snap on the way back:
And a beautiful sunset. 🌅
Dinner at The Three Horseshoes.
April 27 (Sunday) – Jurassic Coastline Walk Day 2 (for real) #
We liked it so much the first time, we came back!
Breakfast again at Galley Café. This time we got photos!
Back to hiking:
Lulworth Cove
Following this AllTrails path.
There was a small landslide in 2024, the trail has some rough spots.
Oh, there’s a military firing range nearby, best to stick to the marked paths 💣💥
Oh God, that’s just a day light robbery. We stayed just over an hour 😭
- Worbarrow Bay
- Tyneham Village Followed this AllTrails hike.
Some old tanks left on the army testing grounds.
Quack 🦆
Who is in charge of their marketing?!
The Village was evacuated in 1943 during WWII and has remained deserted. More info on Wiki
Cottages
Final stop:
Swyre Head (Google Maps)
You are responsible for my runny nose, sneezing and allergies, woolly sheep! 🐑
The end to an adventure! 🌊
Stuff we didn’t have time for #
- Brown sea island
- Swanage
- Sculpture by the Lake (Google Maps)
- Lyme Regis
- Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
- Beach walk, stroll the Cobb, boat ride(?), fossil museums
- Blue Pool (Google Maps)
- Kimmeridge Bay (Google Maps)
- Nothe Fort (Google Maps)
- Crab House Café