Durdle Door

Durdle Door is the most photographed feature of the Jurassic Coast, a natural arch of Portland limestone standing at the end of a headland with the sea running through it. Its shape comes from the geology: the rock beds here were tilted almost vertical by the same Alpine earth movements that raised the Alps, so a hard limestone band runs along the coast like a wall, with softer clays behind. Where the sea found a weakness it cut through the limestone and then ate out the soft rock behind, making the coves along this stretch, and Durdle Door is an arch caught partway through that process. It will eventually collapse into a stack. The name comes from an Old English word for pierce. The beach either side is steep shingle.

History

Early written records of the arch are scarce, but its name is probably more than a thousand years old: it comes from the Old English thirl, to pierce or bore, and the late 18th century described the magnificent arch of Durdle-rock Door, while the first Ordnance Survey map of 1811 named it Dirdale Door. In the late 19th century it was also called the Barn-door, high enough for a good-sized sailing boat to pass through; the arch belongs to the Weld family's Lulworth Estate and is open to the public (Wikipedia, Durdle Door).

Highlights

• The arch - a limestone opening with the sea running through it.
• The tilted beds - rock strata standing almost vertical along the coast.
• The shingle coves - steep beaches on either side of the headland.
• The coast path - a walk east to Lulworth Cove over the cliff.

When to go

April to October for the coast path and swimming; the site is exposed and the path steep. Sunrise is the classic light and avoids the crowds, which in summer are severe and fill the car park by mid-morning.

Practical notes

The descent to the beach is a long flight of steps, and the climb back is hard. Jumping or tombstoning from the arch has caused serious injuries and is prohibited. Cliff falls happen without warning and the beach below the cliffs is not safe to sit under. Parking is expensive and the site closes when full.

Nearby

Lulworth Cove is a walk east; Weymouth and Corfe Castle lie either side.

Key facts