Walk stats
- Distance6.4 km · 4 mi
- Elevation+217 m
- Duration1 hr 45 min
- DifficultyModerate
- Route typeLinear
- TerrainRolling downland paths, field tracks and a stream crossing
- Best seasonLate spring to early autumn
- DogsDog-friendly; keep on lead near livestock
About this walk
This 6.4 km section of The Hardy Way sets off from the village of Winfrith Newburgh, passing The Castle Inn as it heads south through gently rolling Dorset countryside. With around 217 metres of ascent spread across the route, it is a moderate outing that rewards the effort with wide rural views and a strong sense of Thomas Hardy's Wessex landscape.
The path drops down to cross the Lulworth Stream before climbing steadily towards the Pepler's Point Monument Stone, a quiet high point marking your progress across the downs. From here the coast begins to feel close, with West Down rising nearby and the famous Lulworth Cove not far beyond the end of the walk.
Allow around 1 hour 45 minutes for the linear route. If you have time to extend the day, the small hamlet of Little Bindon, West Over and the Boatshed Cafe near Lulworth Cove all make worthwhile detours or finishing points before heading back.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
4 waypoints along the way
- 1
Start: Winfrith Newburgh
- Start
The start of the route.
- 2
The Castle Inn
- 3
Lulworth Stream
- 4
Pepler's Point Monument Stone
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
West Down
~320 m off the route
Lulworth Cove
~182 m off the route
Boatshed Cafe
~189 m off the route
Little Bindon
~195 m off the route
West Over
~272 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).