Worbarrow Bay

Worbarrow Bay is situated in the middle of Dorset’s Purbeck coast about a mile from the deserted village of Tyneham. This is the closest parking to the beach and you’ll have to walk the rest of the way, which involves traversing Ministry of Defence land. Access is therefore somewhat limited (mainly weekends only) as the army uses this area for training exercises.

The bay is a sweeping crescent which ends to the east with the headland of Worbarrow Tout - the other end of the bay is named Cow Corner for reasons unknown. To the back of the beach are cliffs of white chalk and sandstone which, like much of the Jurassic Coast, are of some geological importance. Fossilised dinosaur footprints can be seen at Worbarrow Tout and the rocks are also home to various smaller fossils.

Being a little way of the beaten track Worbarrow Bay is unspoilt and never busy. Swimming here is allowed but there is no lifeguard and the beach shelves steeply as you enter the water.