Exmouth to Poole
HIGHLIGHTS
This is the last section of the coast path and it takes in the wonderful Jurassic coast where fossils are exposed as the cliffs erode.
Lulworth Cove- The sweeping Expanse of Chesil Beach
- Pretty Dorset Villages with their many thatched roofs.
- Durdle Door
PHOTOS
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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KEY INFORMATION
Starting point: Exmouth
Finishing point: Poole
Avg. daily distance: 11 miles / 18 km
Total distance: 101 miles / 162 km
Terrain:
Walking grade: Moderate
01326 279 278WHEN TO WALK
ROUTE MAP
Some larger towns typical of the English seaside mixed with the majestic coastal features of Lulworth Cove and the Jurassic Coast combine to make this a superb walk. In 2019 and 2020 we have walked this section of the path and you may find our blogs of the walk interesting. Babbacombe to Weymouth (Babbacombe is a suburb of Torquay) and Portland and Weymouth to Poole .
Day 1: Travel to Exmouth where your accommodation has been booked.
Day 2: Exmouth to Sidmouth (13.1 miles) / 21 km
Day 3: Sidmouth to Seaton (10.4 miles) / 17 km
Day 4: Seaton to Seatown (13.0 miles) / 21 km
Day 5 Seatown to Abbotsbury (12.9 miles) / 21 km
Day 6 Abbotsbury to Weymouth (10.9 miles) / 17 km
Day 7 Walk around the Isle of Portland to Weymouth Pier (13.2 miles) / 21 km
Day 8 Weymouth Pier to Lulworth Cove (14.1 miles) / 22 km
Day 9 Lulworth Cove to Worth Matravers (14.6 miles) / 23 km
Day 10 Worth Matravers to Poole (13.5 miles) / 22 km
Day 1: Travel to Exmouth where your accommodation has been booked.
Day 2: Exmouth to Sidmouth (13.1 miles) / 21 km
The walk starts by taking in England's longest promenade. At the end is a nice café as the path leads upto the top of the cliffs. There is a spire that marks the beginning of the Jurassic Coast, the path is farly gentle to Budleigh Salterton where numerous cafes provide an ideal lunch stop. The then takes a route around "Otter Estuary Nature Reserve" before a steady upward climb through the first of 2 very large holiday parks. There are some more climbs before the path drops down steadily into Sidmouth.
Day 3: Sidmouth to Seaton (10.4 miles) / 17 km
The first half of the day to Branscombe Mouth has some big climbs and great cliff top walking. The café at Branscombe Mouth is then an ideal spot for lunch. The next section has some undercliff walking before climbing back up and then dropping down into the picturesque Devon village of Beer. After this is another climb before various detours caused by cliff subsidence send you back to the beach for the last few 100 metres into Seaton.
Day 4: Seaton to Seatown (13.0 miles) / 21 km
Again the day splits neatly in two, The first section after a climb and a crossing of Seaton golf club drops you down into a nature reserve under the cliffs where subsidence has created a unique otherworldly environment of overgrown trees and hanging plants. This stretches for 2 or 3 hours walking before you arrive in Lyme Regis, a perfect spot for lunch.
The path then follows the road out of the town and eventually across a very smart Lyme Regis golf course before returning to the road to pass through Charmouth and out the other side back up to the cliff tops. Wonderful cliff top walking then after several climbs takes you to the top of Golden Cap, Dorsets highest point. The views are spectacular.
From there it is just a short walk down into Seatowm.
Day 5 Seatown to Abbotsbury (12.9 miles) / 21 km
Some lovely rolling cliff top walking before dropping down into West Bay. From afar not a pretty town but as one walks through the pretty harbour is a pleasant surprise. A stiff climb out is followed by some cliff top walking along the edge of a golf course before arriving at Hive Beach Café. After this the path takes you near Chesil Beach and then you turn inland to arrive in the pretty village of Abbotsbury.
Day 6 Abbotsbury to Weymouth (10.9 miles) / 17 km
Some pleasant inland walking before arriving at the back of the lagoon that sits behind Chesil Beach. A great day for spotting birds.
Day 7 Walk around the Isle of Portland to Weymouth Pier (13.2 miles) / 21 km
A very varied walk that includes a 13th century church, isolated cliff tops, a disused quarries, MOD compounds, a nature reserve and 3 lighthouses. There is an excellent café on the southern tip of the island that makes a perfect lunch stop.
Day 8 Weymouth Pier to Lulworth Cove (14.1 miles) / 22 km
Renowned as one of the very best stretches of the coastal path this section has offers strenuous walking with the reward of spectacular views as you walk along the chalky cliffs. Highlights being the rock formation of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove itself.
Day 9 Lulworth Cove to Worth Matravers (14.6 miles) / 23 km
The first section of this work to Kimmeridge Bay is through an active firing range, however it is not used at the weekend so if your walk can be timed correctly the range is fascinating with fortifications and a fossilised forest. After the range there are some small climbs followed by before one tough summit to attain before dropping down and then leaving the path for a inland detour to Worth Matravers.
Day 10 Worth Matravers to Poole (13.5 miles) / 22 km
This might be the last leg of the path but it is a challenging one with some big climbs, but wonderful views from several headlands. The stroll through Swanage is easy followed by a beach walk at Studland Bay.
WALKING DIFFICULTY: This is a coastal walk, for the most part along quite high cliffs with quite a lot of ups and downs. It will not be beyond the average walker but distance covered per hour will be low.
ACCOMMODATION: Our standard itinerary provides accommodation in either 3 or 4 star bed and breakfasts or small hotels or inns. When quoting for a holiday a draft itinerary is provided showing typical accommodation used on the route.
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS: Weymouth is a good midway point with a lot to do.
NAVIGATION: Navigation is generally straight forward, follow the acorn signs and keep the sea on your right!
BAGGAGE TRANSFERS: All our prices include transfering one bag per person (max weight 20kg) between your overnight stops.
Travel information:
TRAVEL BY RAIL:
Arriving: From London Paddington to Exmouth (via Exeter) (about 3 hours)
Returning: From Poole to London (about 2 hours)
TRAVEL BY CAR:
Arriving: Take the M5 to Exeter then it is just a short stretch down the A376
Returning: The National Express Bus to Exeter (about 4 hrs) and then the bus or train to Exmouth (45 mins)
TRAVEL BY AIR:
Arriving: Fly to Exeter, then take the bus to the town centre and then on to Exmouth
Returning: Poole to Exeter by bus (4 hrs) then a bus out to the airport.
PRICES:
9 Day Walking Itinerary (10 nights accommodation) from £855 per person
Single supplement (for person walking on their own) from £40 per night
Extra nights from £60 per person
Exmouth to Poole
Arne Kambo - July 2023
Dear Tim,
Thanks for another successful walking holiday. Well organized as always. In spite of some rain showers and two of the daily distances exceeding 30 km and were a little bit strenuous, we enjoyed the walk very much. A lot of cliff walking and beautiful view along the coast. The accommodation was mostly excellent, but can be improved in Abbotsbury. We were placed in an annex in the backyard and the facilities and the service were not the best. Except that, friendly and service minded hosts and excellent breakfast all over.
This was the fifth walk and we reached the goal in Poole. However, the walk from Padstow to St. Ives is still outstanding, so this may be the holiday next year.
Thanks again and best regards,
Arne