The beautiful Dorset coastline offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, and picturesque villages, it’s no wonder that this region is a popular destination for a relaxing getaway.
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Lulworth Cove is a stunning coastal gem that’s well worth a visit. Its pebble beach and crystal-clear waters make it a popular spot for sunbathing, swimming, and rock pooling. As part of the world-famous Jurassic Coast, the cove offers breathtaking views and unique geological formations.
At low tide, the rock pools teem with fascinating sea creatures, making it a great place for a family outing. The surrounding countryside is perfect for hiking, with the South West Coast Path providing scenic walking routes.
Lulworth Cove
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Lulworth castle is lately most famous for serving as the iconic backdrop for the Bestival music festival, with its imposing silhouette framing the main “Castle” stage.
It’s foundations were laid in 1588, and the castle was completed in 1609, purportedly designed by the renowned architect Inigo Jones. Commissioned by Thomas Howard, 3rd Viscount Howard of Bindon, a grandson of the 3rd Duke of Norfolk, the castle was originally intended as a hunting lodge. In a letter to Robert Cecil, Viscount Bindon acknowledged Cecil’s influence on the design:
If this little pile in Lulworth Park shall prove pretty or worth the labour bestowed in the erecting of it, I will acknowledge, as the truth is, that your powerful speech to me at Bindon laid the first foundation of the pile in my mind, which ever since has laboured for a speedy finishing for the contentment of those for whose further liking of that place the care is taken.
Over the centuries, the castle has witnessed various historical events, including the English Civil War and World War II.
The castle suffered a devastating fire on August 29, 1929, leaving it a roofless ruin. The family subsequently relocated to a newly constructed residence in the vicinity. Restoration efforts, initiated in the 1970s with the aid of grants, culminated in 1998. The project focused on repairing the existing structure, including the installation of a new roof and the restoration of surviving interior walls. However, no new internal walls or upper floors were added, preserving the castle’s historic ruins.
Lulworth Castle
