Dorset Coast Discovery Tour 2022 - DHTour

Price

From$2,650 pp

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875

8 Days / 7 Nights

Availability : June 17 and September 2

Start: West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset, England

End: West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset, England

Dorset Coast Discovery Tour: 7 nights based at West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or [email protected] to book.

Discover the dramatic Jurassic Coast and the beautiful chalk downlands further afield. Get ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’ in Dorchester, once home to renowned author Thomas Hardy, and enjoy the calm of Cerne Abbas – famous for its chalk giant. Take a ride on the Swanage Heritage Railway, explore the elegant mansion of Kingston Lacy, view the unique expanse of Chesil Beach and stroll the streets of Weymouth at the coast and Wimborne Minster inland.

Tour Details

Highlights:

Explore the Jurassic Coast and town of Weymouth
Walk in the steps of Thomas Hardy in Dorchester
Wander in Wimborne Minster
Look out to sea at the dramatic Isle of Purbeck

Pick Up Location & TIme

West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset BH20 5RJ (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.

Drop off Location & Time

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward.

Price Includes

High quality en-suite upgraded accommodation at West Lulworth House
Excellent food in our country house, full board (B,L,D daily)
The services of our knowledgeable leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday
Full-day excursions with all transport on touring days in a good-quality, comfortable mini-coach

Meals

7 breakfasts
6 lunches
7 dinners
0 teas

Price Excludes

Airfare
Transfers
Pre / Post hotel nights
Travel to/from the Country Hotel (The nearest railway station is Wool)
Admissions (please allow approx. £10 per day for entrances)
Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
Travel Insurance

What to Expect

Unpack Once!

Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination. Our knowledgeable leaders will provide fascinating detail to bring it all to life. Travel between locations by mini-coach or public transport following a carefully planned itinerary.

Accommodation at a country house hotel
Full Board Meals – from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
Knowledgeable leader
Transport between locations

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day

You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. (D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 2Saxon Wareham & Swanage Railway

We enjoy a visit to the Saxon town of Wareham and continue with a nostalgic trip on the Swanage Railway. After lunch in Swanage and a stroll along the promenade, our afternoon will be spent at Durlston Country Park to enjoy the stunning sea views and cliffs. Perhaps there will be time for a cup of tea at the Victorian folly – Durlston Castle? Our journey back will follow the Purbeck ridge with views over Poole Harbour. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 3Jurassic Coast, Portland & Weymouth

Today we explore the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, taking in the views to Chesil Beach and eventually arriving in Portland with its iconic lighthouse. We finish the day in Weymouth, the base for the Olympic sailing events in 2012. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 4Free day

A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House. Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 5Cerne Abbas & Sherborne

We start our morning with a visit to the historic village of Cerne Abbas, known for the infamous giant resting on the hillside. We then explore Sherborne Castle, the stunning home built by Sir Walter Raleigh, with a Capability Brown garden. The afternoon is spent in Sherborne, a charming country town, with a magnificent abbey, which traces its origins to Anglo-Saxon times. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 6Dorchester & Thomas Hardy

We take a journey back 2,000 years today with a walk around the Iron Age fort of Maiden Castle as it fell to the Romans. Later, there will be time to enjoy the county town of Dorchester with its wide choice of museums. After lunch, we touch on the life of Thomas Hardy with visits to his last home at Max Gate and his local church, St Michael’s, where he was baptised and buried. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 7Wimborne & Kingston Lacy

This morning, we’ll explore Wimborne’s maze of alleyways around the imposing minster. Don’t forget to seek out the chained library! An afternoon at nearby Kingston Lacy provides the contrast of an Italian palace in the Dorset countryside. A walk through to the woods reveals the Japanese Garden and visit the recently refurbished walled vegetable garden. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: West Lulworth House

Day 8Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)

Dates and Prices

Departure Dates	Per person (single or twin)	Single in a double room
2022: June 17	$2,650	$2,930
2022: September 2	$2,650	$2,930

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.

Supplement applied for single in a double room.

Rates are in $ CAD. Rates include room upgrade (better) and membership fees.

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or [email protected] to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.

During your Discovery Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.

Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £10 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Travel Details:
Address is: West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset BH20 5RJ

We recommend getting the train to Wool and then a taxi transfer to West Lulworth House. However if you are planning on driving, please note that you can only park in a public car park. Please check the process below.

By Train:
The nearest railway station is at Wool.

By Taxi:
The 5-mile journey from Wool railway station takes approximately 10 minutes. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Durdle Door Cabs. As a guide price, it costs £12 per 4-seat taxi in 2020. 8-seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. They will arrange shared taxis wherever possible. Please pre-book your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting:

Durdle Door Cabs*
Tel: +44 (0) 1929 444546
Email: [email protected]
The return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the West Lulworth House Manager.
*Durdle Door Cabs is not owned or managed by us.

By Car:
The recommended route is via Bere Regis and Wool – although slightly longer this avoids the traffic through Bournemouth and Poole. From Bere Regis follow signs to Wool. At Wool cross the level crossing and turn left following signs to Lulworth Cove and West Lulworth. Continue for a further 4 miles to Lulworth Cove. As you enter Lulworth Cove Village, there is a slip road on your left to West Lulworth House. Park on the slip road if you would like to take advantage of our bag drop off service, which is available from 10am to 6.30pm, on arrival and departure days. You can then continue to the public car park at the end of the slip road to park your car.

This car park is free for West Lulworth House guests as long as book your car in with House staff within 30 minutes of arriving, failure to do this could result in a fine from the Lulworth Estate.

Hotel Descriptions

4

West Lulworth House

Set just 200 yards from the sea, West Lulworth House has a highly coveted location just above the lake-still expanse of Lulworth Cove on Dorset’s iconic Jurassic Coast. Built in 1881 by the then Mayor of Weymouth, it has been perennially popular with walkers, twitchers and fossil hunters. As well as 22 delightful bedrooms, there’s a south facing garden and elevated terrace with cracking views, an outdoor heated pool and a pair of lovely lounges, perfect for a relaxing walking holiday exploring the Jurassic Coast. Step out the front door and on to the coast path. To the west lies Middle Beach and the picture perfect Durdle Door, with its massive rock arch and gently sloping beach. East lie the beaches of Mupe Bay and Arish Mell. But you’re here for the walking and what adventure you’ll have on the coast path or exploring the interior. Then there’s Lulworth Castle and the famous ruins of Corfe Castle standing guard over the Purbeck Hills to explore.

Address: West Lulworth House, Lulworth Cove, Dorset BH20 5RJ

Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi

Stay in one of the main building’s bright, beautifully presented rooms or in the adjoining cottage. With 22 bedrooms, West Lulworth House has plenty of space and there’s a range of Good, Better and Best Rooms to choose from: each room has an airy feel and the same cosy style. Opt though for Room 4 on the first floor of the main house for its weathered, pastel-painted wood panels and the lovely view looking over the cove, or squirrel yourself away in Room 23 in the cottage to the side of the main house for a large room with more sumptuous views to soak up.

All ‘Good’ rooms are ensuite and furnished to a high standard. There are also several ‘Better’ and ‘Best’ Rooms that are either larger or have a desirable view, a more luxurious mattress, larger television, enhanced toiletries and a fluffy bathrobe & slippers.

Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, attractive garden, outdoor swimming pool, multi-purpose activity room, lounge, library and board games to borrow

After a day walking on the Dorset Coast or hunting for fossils, come back to the house and its specially tailored walkers’ facilities. Relax by sitting in the sunny south facing gardens or take a table on the terrace with matchless views of the cove below. Slip in to the heated outdoor pool then surface in time to retire to the cosy lounge and its squishy sofas and seafaring decorations to read up on the area or the attractive bar with its pretty tiled insets for a sundowner.

Map

Photos

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