10-Day Exmouth to Poole Itinerary — Explorer Pace (SWCP Section 6)

Beginning on Exmouth's Esplanade, the path initially winds along the wide sandy beach before a gentle ascent to Orcombe Point, marked by the striking Geoneedle sculpture, signalling the start of the Jurassic Coast. The trail then meanders through Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, overlooking Sandy Bay, with the South Beach Cafe offering a welcome pause. Continuing along the dramatic red sandstone cliffs, the route descends steeply into the charming town of Budleigh Salterton, concluding on its pebble beach beside the River Otter. After a brief inland detour via the nature reserve, the path returns to the coast, tracing low cliffs and fields past the impressive sea stacks of Ladram Bay, where a holiday park provides refreshments. A challenging woodland climb to High Peak, the route's highest point at 157 metres, yields breathtaking panoramas before a precipitous descent down Jacob's Ladder into Sidmouth, where the Clock Tower Cafe invites tired walkers for a well-earned rest.

Leaving the River Otter, the path meanders through its nature reserve before rejoining the coast, traversing low cliffs and fields of striking red sandstone, passing the impressive sea stacks at Ladram Bay, where a holiday park offers refreshments. A steep woodland ascent then crests High Peak, the route’s highest point, providing sweeping coastal panoramas before a sharp descent down Jacob's Ladder into Sidmouth, with the Clock Tower Cafe for sustenance. From Sidmouth, Salcombe Hill Cliff offers views across Lyme Bay; the path then winds through wildflower meadows, descends to Weston Mouth’s pebble beach, and climbs along Weston Cliff to Berry Cliff Camp’s Iron Age remains. Branscombe Mouth marks the shift from red sandstone to white chalk cliffs, with the anchor from the MSC Napoli shipwreck a stark reminder, and the Sea Shanty Beach Cafe serves refreshments directly on the beach, with a recommended detour inland to the Masons Arms. The dramatic chalk pinnacles of Hooken Undercliff, shaped by a 1790 landslip, create an atmospheric, challenging section before a short walk leads to Beer, famous for its Roman-era limestone quarries, with The Anchor Inn offering coastal views and the village a picturesque harbour. Finally, Seaton Bay’s clifftops guide you to the resort town of Seaton, complete with dining options and the heritage tramway.

From Seaton, the path climbs past Salcombe Hill Cliff with views across Lyme Bay, traversing wildflower meadows and descending to Weston Mouth before ascending Weston Cliff to Berry Cliff Camp. Branscombe Mouth, marked by the MSC Napoli anchor, transitions to chalk cliffs, and the Sea Shanty Beach Cafe offers refreshments before a potential 1.5km detour to the Masons Arms in Vicarage. The challenging Hooken Undercliff, a dramatic landslip, leads towards Beer, known for its historic quarry caves, with refreshments at The Anchor Inn. Crossing the River Axe via Britain's oldest concrete bridge, the route continues past Axe Cliff Golf Course before entering the remarkable Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve, a 7km wilderness shaped by landslips. Emerging for the fossil-rich town of Lyme Regis, the trail now heads inland, crossing the golf course and descending into Charmouth village, renowned for its Jurassic coastline and fossil hunting opportunities along Black Ven cliffs, with the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and various cafes available.

The journey from Charmouth towards Abbotsbury leads inland from Lyme Regis, crossing Lyme Regis Golf Course before a steep descent into Charmouth village, renowned for its fossil-rich Jurassic coastline. Beyond Charmouth, a strenuous climb up Stonebarrow Hill offers breathtaking views towards Lyme Bay before confronting the ascent to Golden Cap, the south coast's highest point, from which panoramic vistas extend across to Portland. Descending Golden Cap leads to Seatown, with The Anchor Inn providing refreshments, before the challenging terrain continues over Ridge Cliff, Doghouse Hill, and Thorncombe Beacon, eventually dropping to Eype Mouth. Following a stream valley, West Cliff offers views towards Bridport's historic harbour town, West Bay, before the path proceeds along East Cliff and ascends Burton Cliff to Hive Beach, a prime spot for seafood. The route then follows Cogden Beach and West Bexington before embracing the iconic 18-mile Chesil Beach, a geological marvel graded by pebble size, which shelters The Fleet lagoon and ends at the celebrated viewpoints near Abbotsbury, home to its famous Swannery and castle.

From Abbotsbury, the path ascends Linton Hill for panoramic views of Portland before descending to skirt Langton Herring, where refreshments are available at The Elm Tree Inn. The route then follows the edge of The Fleet Lagoon, a vital brackish nature reserve, passing Moonfleet Manor Hotel for a break. After traversing MOD training areas, the path heads towards Weymouth. The anticlockwise circuit of the Isle of Portland begins by crossing the causeway to Fortuneswell, offering pubs and cafes. This section covers approximately 10 miles of diverse terrain including clifftops, shingle beaches, and inland lanes.

Setting off from Fortuneswell on Portland, this anticlockwise circuit immediately climbs steeply to Tout Quarry, an open-air sculpture park, before tracing clifftops above dramatically terraced quarry faces, passing old rail tracks and derelict lifting gear. The exposed western shore leads past Wallsend Cove, a climber’s haunt, towards the island’s southern tip, dominated by the iconic forty-one-metre Portland Bill Lighthouse, a landmark and refreshment stop. Here, Pulpit Rock commands attention alongside numerous sea caves. The return north hugs the eastern shore, passing Freshwater Bay and the sheltered pebble beach of Church Ope Cove, overlooked by Rufus Castle ruins. Beyond unstable cliffs now rich in wildlife, the trail follows the old Merchants' Railway alignment back through Fortuneswell, crossing the causeway to skirt the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle and Nothe Point before finally arriving at Weymouth Harbour.

Departing Weymouth's harbour, the path skirts the bay before climbing to dramatic cliff-top walking, though caution is advised between Bowleaze Cove and Osmington Mills due to unstable terrain and potential landslips. Following the coast past Osmington Mills, where the Smugglers Inn offers a refreshment stop, the route ascends steeply through chalk downlands with sweeping panoramas. The path continues over geologically unstable ground near Ringstead Bay, before confronting the dramatic White Nothe headland and a thrilling sequence of climbs and descents over chalk cliffs, passing notable features like Bat's Head and its arch, the sea stacks known as The Bull and its companions, and Swyre Head. The iconic Durdle Door, a magnificent limestone arch, marks a significant landmark before the final approach over Hambury Tout, crowned by a Bronze Age barrow, culminates at the horseshoe bay of Lulworth Cove, a fitting end to this spectacular section.

Beyond West Lulworth, the path enters the Lulworth Military Ranges, its route marked by yellow posts and demanding steep, roller-coaster climbs and descents, with access restricted for firing exercises. This dramatic section traverses cliff edges above Mupe Bay, passing the unique Fossil Forest, before reaching the remote shingle beach of Arish Mell, site of a former Iron Age hill fort at Flowers Barrow, and the evacuated Worbarrow Bay. Exiting the military land, the route offers glimpses of an oil well and clifftop cottages before a descent towards Kimmeridge Bay, dominated by the relocated Clavell Tower. Kimmeridge Bay provides welcome facilities at its Wild Seas Centre and the Boat on the Bay Cafe, with the picturesque village itself, featuring The Etches Collection museum and St Nicholas Church, a further 1.5 kilometres inland.

Leaving Kimmeridge Bay, the South West Coast Path embarks on an undulating journey eastward along Hen Cliff, eventually challenging hikers with steep ascents up Houns-tout Cliff, offering panoramic views. Beyond the wild setting of Chapman's Pool, the route travels towards St Aldhelm's Head, showcasing its Norman chapel and National Coastwatch station. Passing disused quarries, which now serve as wildlife havens, the path reaches the distinctive rock platform of Dancing Ledge. Navigating past nautical mile markers and through chalk grasslands teeming with wildflowers and butterflies, the route approaches Anvil Point lighthouse. The path continues through Durlston Country Park, a nature reserve featuring Victorian attractions like Durlston Castle and the Great Globe, before culminating in Swanage, an historic seaside resort offering ample amenities and stunning coastal vistas of Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks.

The trail climbs steeply from Swanage up to Peveril Point before traversing undulating and spectacular clifftops. Past Winspit Quarry and Dancing Ledge, a natural rock platform, the path continues through chalk grasslands rich in wildflowers before the striking Anvil Point lighthouse comes into view. Reaching Durlston Country Park, home to Durlston Castle and the massive Great Globe, the route descends towards Swanage before a demanding ascent to Handfast Point’s Old Harry Rocks, marking the easternmost point of the Jurassic Coast. Beyond, the path heads towards Studland village and its Bankes Arms pub, then along Shell Bay’s magnificent beach and flat sandy terrain to its conclusion at South Haven Point, marked by the Coast Path monument and a red telephone box.