EUROPEAN WALKING HOLIDAYS 2018

ENGLAND – : COVE & THE 8-day / 7-night one-hotel guided walking tour based on ’s sunny south coast

Wonderful views and spectacular walking. Discover some of Britain's most exhilarating coastal scenery on a fully guided walking holiday at including the Dorset Coast Path walk to the natural sea arch of . Explore the and the resort of . See charming villages, pubs and tea-shops too. On a typical day you will have a choice of up to three guided walks of varying length and ascent. At the easiest level the pace is gentle and we have plenty of stops to enjoy the views and to rest. Or perhaps choose a more challenging walk – it’s entirely up to you.

Cost from: $1620 per person twin share Single supplement on request

Departs: 23rd April, 25th May, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th June, 6th, 20th July, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th August, 7th, 21st, 28th September, 5th, 12th, 19th October, 2018

Tour includes: 7 nights in comfortable hotel room with ensuite bathroom, full board (breakfast, picnic lunch & dinner), experienced walks leader, 5 guided walks, transport associated with the walks, evening social activities.

Not Included: Transport to/from the accommodation, drinks and any personal expenses.

Accommodation: You stay at West Lulworth House, which has a wonderful elevated location just 100 metres from the sea, overlooking Lulworth Cove. There are expansive views from many of the newly refurbished guest rooms, the garden and the outdoor swimming pool. The house has undergone major renovation including a new lounge and dining room. Premium rooms (with extra space, exceptional sea views or additional facilities) may be available at extra cost – please ask when booking.

Call OUTDOOR TRAVEL on 1800 331 582 for details or reservations Lulworth Cove is a popular destination with day-trippers and holiday-makers alike, drawn by the stunning scenery and natural history. The Cove itself is a near-perfect circle which has been carved by the waves into the soft rocks. A 20-minute walk along the cliff path will take you to Durdle Door, the area’s other geological wonder. This impressive natural sea arch has been carved from the harder chalk rocks. The free Heritage Centre next to the public car park is well worth a visit during your stay.

The Jurassic Coast stretches 95 miles (155km) and is known for its distinctive geology, both its natural landforms sculpted by sea and wind, and its extensive fossil sites which document life on earth during the Mesozoic era – some 185 million years of history spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

A typical ‘Classic Week’ of walking – suggested itinerary:

Day 1 Arrival day – plan to arrive at your accommodation mid-afternoon. Check with us for local transport or taxi transfer options from / to nearby Wool. Meals begin with dinner on the first night.

Day 2-4: Full day walking options

Day 5: Free day. No organised walks. You may like to relax or explore the local area independently – perhaps take a ride on a steam train on the restored Swanage Railway, or visit Thomas Hardy’s cottage.

Day 6-7: Full day walking options

Day 8: Departure day. Tour ends after breakfast.

Possible walking routes may include:

Lulworth Cove - From Lulworth Cove these walks go onto the military ranges with some of the area’s most dramatic scenery. The easier route continues explores the chalk downs above the village of West Lulworth, while the medium and harder walks visit the deserted village of and then follow the onto the ranges and back to Lulworth Cove. (Please note the military ranges are not accessible some weeks.)

Corfe Castle to - The easier and medium walks start at village, and we follow the chalk ridge that runs along the Isle of Purbeck to the coast, with outstanding views in all directions, to the village of Studland. Medium walkers go over Godlingstone Heath and walk along the beach en route to Studland village. The route of the harder walk begins in the village of Kingston, looking down at Corfe Castle. We go over Corfe Common to the village and continue, passing the chalk stacks of Old Harry, to Studland.

Cerne Abbas - The easier and medium walks are both circular walks in rural Dorset, starting from the viewpoint looking at the famous giant of Cerne Abbas. We visit the hamlet of Minterne Magna on the easier walk, or the village of Buckland Newton on the medium walk, and finish our day in Cerne Abbas village. The harder walk follows part of the Wessex Ridgeway long-distance trail to Minterne Magna where we pick up and continue on the same route as the other walkers to Cerne Abbas village. The green and undulating rural Dorset countryside is straight out of a Hardy novel.

South Purbeck Coast - The easier and medium walks start in the heart of the quarrying area. We head south to the coast at , a popular spot for rock climbers, then join the South West Coast Path to Swanage, where we finish our walk. The harder walk begins further afield in the village of Kingston and goes south to join the coast at Houns-tout cliff. From there we follow this dramatic section of the South West Coast Path, passing Chapman’s Pool, a tranquil haven beneath the cliffs, before reaching St Aldhelm’s Head and Swanage.

Call OUTDOOR TRAVEL on 1800 331 582 for details or reservations Durdle Door - All three walks follow stages of the Dorset Coast Path along this dramatic section of the Jurassic Coast west of Lulworth, and walk back to Lulworth Cove via the iconic sea arch of Durdle Door. The easier walk starts in West Chaldon and heads south to join the coast path above . From we avoid the steep switchback of cliffs by staying on a higher level path. The medium walk reaches the coast at to pick up the South West Coast Path. After White Nothe the path follows the roller coaster chalk cliff paths to Durdle Door and then onwards to Lulworth Cove. The harder walk begins at Weymouth and follows the dramatic Dorset Coast Path all the way back to Lulworth Cove.

With its views of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove as well as the dramatic cliffs and crystalline sea, this is coastal walking at its very best.

Kingston to Corfe Castle - These walks start in the village of Kingston and head out to for spectacular views west towards , then diverge to follow different routes. From Swyre Head the easier walk crosses farmland and through the village of to reach the ridge which leads to Corfe Castle. On the medium walk, we descend to the coast from Swyre Head and follow a section of the South West Coast Path east to Houns-tout before looping back to Kingston. From Kingston the route goes over Corfe Common to reach Corfe Castle village.

The route of the harder walk also descends to the coast but we head west towards . From there we track northwards and we come across a ridge which we follow all the way to Corfe Castle village. Corfe Castle is an 11th Century ruin on a hill above the town, and the village is home to a number of quaint pubs, or you may like to stop by the sweet shop, its shelves lined with colourful reminders of childhood.

Footpath Information:

Easier Walks: Up to 7 miles (11km) with up to 1100 feet (330m) of ascent.

Medium Walks: Up to 10 miles (16km) with up to 1400 feet (420m) of ascent

Harder Walks: Up to 12 miles (19km) with up to 1900 feet (570m) of ascent

Outdoor Travel walking holidays – guided in small groups or self-guided with inn-to-inn luggage transfers and meals – are available in many parts of the , Ireland and across Europe including the Coast-to- Coast trail, the Cotswolds, the spectacular coast of Cornwall, the Yorkshire Dales, the West Highland Way in Scotland or Snowdonia in Wales or the Ring of Kerry in Ireland. In France see the Dordogne, Alps, Provence or Riviera Coast, walks too in Austria, Spain or Italy. Walk the Way of St James from Le Puy in France to Santiago in Spain or the Via Francigena – the pilgrims’ Road to Rome.

Contact Outdoor Travel or your travel agent for more details, travel brochures and reservations:

 Call Toll free 1800 331 582 or (03) 57551743 or Fax (03) 57501020  Email: [email protected]  Web: http://www.outdoortravel.com.au  Mail: Outdoor Travel Pty Ltd, PO Box 286, Bright, VIC 3741, Australia