Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast

Cotswolds & Jurassic Coast

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Overview

Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Walking Holidays

8 Nights

Prices from: £1265 per person
Transport: Car required. Rental car included (optional)
Availability: Any start date year-round
Best time to go: April - October

Highlights

The Guitings and Guiting Wood

Go on a charming adventure set in the tranquil expanse of Guilting Wood in the North Cotswolds, meandering through beautiful forests, over gentle hills, and along the Guilting Stream – a tributary of the River Windrush.

Lulworth Cove and the Fossil Forest

Lulworth Cove is a beautiful circular cove surrounded by a sweeping arc of pebbles and backed by steep cliffs. When the tide is high it is one of the most attractive beaches in the UK. When it is low, rock pools are revealed, bursting with all sorts of strange and wonderful aquatic creatures. Beside Lulworth Cove is the fascinating Fossil Forest where fossilised treasures can be discovered along the shoreline.

Bourton-on-the-Water, the Slaughters, and Naunton

Starting in the delightful village of Bourton-on-the-Water, this circular walk includes the quintessentially English villages of Slaughter and Nauton, the Rivers Windrush and Eye, as well as historic churches, mills and manor houses.

Portland Bill lighthouse is a historic working lighthouse on the Isle of Portland's most southerly headland. It is painted red and white. Two people, a couple standing on the rocks on the shoreline, with the lighthouse in the background.

Isle of Portland circuit

This coastal walk follows part of the legendary South West Coast Path, taking in spectacular views across the distinctive Chesil Beach, a unique 18-mile-long pebble beach separating the mainland from the sea. Visit Portland Bill Lighthouse at the southern tip of the island and climb to the top for some wonderful vistas.

Castle Combe village

Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, Castle Combe is an idyllic English village often named the ‘prettiest village in England.’ Within the village, you’ll find honey-coloured stone cottages, a historic 13th-century church, and a couple of cosy pubs.

Durdle Door

This magnificent natural sea arch is one of the Uk’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. It was created when the sea pierced through the Portland limestone around 10,000 years ago. Looking west over the beach, isolated stacks out at sea show where an older coastline once lay.

Discover Charming Countryside & Prehistoric Coastline

This exciting multi-centre walking holiday offers the perfect variety, featuring two spectacular locations renowned for their natural beauty, unique sightseeing opportunities, and world-class walking trails.

The Cotswolds: With its lush rolling pastures, pretty stone villages, and bubbling rivers, the Cotswolds certainly live up to its title as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Here you’ll find castles to explore, cosy pubs to visit, local wines to taste, and endless trails to hike.

This itinerary is based in the North Cotswolds, where you can enjoy leisurely ambles through ancient woodland, or stride across fields from one village to the next. Throughout your time here, you will be treated to some of the most idyllic scenery and charming villages in England.

Jurassic Coast: Head down to the coast, where you can explore geological wonders and vibrant harbour towns. This World Heritage Site offers long coastal walks, fascinating galleries and museums, as well as a fantastic gastro scene.

This itinerary is based in Dorset, a particularly dramatic section of the coast with its towering red and chalk-white cliffs. Whether you are rummaging for ancient treasures and fossils buried along the shoreline, relaxing on the beach, or striding across the cliff tops, the days will be filled with activity.

Itinerary

This is a multi-centre walking holiday which requires the use of a car. If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are able to offer this holiday without a rental car.

We design each itinerary around your interests, so think of this as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights or other destinations.

We will provide you with a variety of walking routes and sightseeing suggestions which means you are free to walk as much, or as little, as you please.

Walking Terrain

The Cotswolds: Beautiful, rolling countryside tracks giving way to open, grassy fields.

Jurassic Coast: Superb coastal trails and views along this dramatic coastline. Some steep headlands.

Day 1: Arrive in the Cotswolds

Make your way to the Cotswolds today where your multi-centre walking holiday will begin. This picturesque region is full of endless opportunities for adventure.
Overnight – North Cotswolds

Days 2 - 4: Walking in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds scenery

Walking recommendations include:

Easy: Chipping Campden & Dover’s Hill (4.5 miles / 7.4 km / 225m ascent / 2 hours)
Moderate: The Guitings & Guiting Wood (6.5 miles / 10.3 km / 220m ascent / 3 hours)
Challenging: Bourton-on-the-Water, the Slaughters and Naunton (10 miles / 16 km / 240m ascent / 5 hours)

Sightseeing recommendations include:

Castle Combe village
Blenheim Palace
The Regency town of Cheltenham

Overnight – North Cotswolds

Day 5: The Cotswolds to the Jurassic Coast

Today you will make your way to the Jurassic Coast – a drive of approximately 130 miles. This spectacular section of England’s south coast offers charming seaside towns, dramatic cliff-top vistas, and unique geological sights.
Overnight – West Dorset

Days 6 - 8: Walking on the Jurassic Coast

Durdle Door

Walking recommendations include:

Easy: Lulworth Cove and the Fossil Forest (3.5 miles / 6 km / 250m ascent / 2 hours)
Moderate: Isle of Portland circuit (8.5 miles / 13.5 km / 150m ascent / 4 hours)
Challenging: Otterton, Peak Hill and the Otter (13 miles / 21 km / 400m ascent / 6 hours)

Sightseeing recommendations include:

Durdle Door
Lyme Regis Fossil Beach (Ammonite Pavement)
Lyme Regis Museum
Portland Bill Lighthouse

Overnight – West Dorset

Day 9: Depart the Jurassic Coast

This is when your multi-centre walking holiday of the Cotswolds and Jurassic Coast comes to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 8 nights including traditional English breakfast
9 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive information pack with our list of exceptional walking routes, taking in the best of your surroundings
Guidebook: The Cotswolds (Pathfinder)
Guidebook: Walking the Jurassic Coast: Dorset and East Devon (Cicerone)
Maps for the areas you are visiting
Our sightseeing suggestions - the must-see sights in the region; traditional villages, natural wonders, impressive architecture and cultural landmarks
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of exploring, an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your walking holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

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