The Best Jurassic Coast Walks in Dorset with a Pub Stop

The Jurassic Coast in Dorset is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers visitors breathtaking coastal walks which take in some picturesque villages along with several charming pub stops.

If you’re looking to combine your hike with a taste of local hospitality, look no further than Palmers Brewery pubs. Here’s our guide to some of the best walks along the Jurassic Coast, complete with a stop at a Palmers pub for a well-deserved rest.

1. Lyme Regis to Charmouth Walk

Start: Lyme Regis

End: Charmouth

Distance: 2.5 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights: Fossil hunting, dramatic cliffs, panoramic sea views

Pub Stop: The Royal Oak Inn, Charmouth

After a scenic walk from Lyme Regis, reward yourself with a visit to The Royal Oak Inn, Charmouth. This family friendly pub offers a cosy atmosphere and a delightful menu. Enjoy the beer garden in fine weather and bring your furry friends as this pub is dog friendly.

For those looking to extend their visit, you can either walk back to Lyme Regis or take a bus.

2. Lyme Regis Circular Walk

Start and End: Lyme Regis

Distance: 4 miles (circular)

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Highlights: Cobb Harbour, Lyme Regis Museum, scenic beaches

Pub Stops:

• Cobb Arms: Located near the famous Cobb Harbour, this pub offers comfortable accommodation, making it a great starting or ending point. It’s family-friendly and dog-friendly with a lovely outdoor seating area.
• The Royal Standard: Situated right on the seafront, it’s perfect for a quick pint while enjoying a view of the sandy beach.
• The Pilot Boat: Recently refurbished, another excellent choice with accommodation available, making it ideal for an overnight stay, or for a cocktail on the roof terrace.
• The Ship Inn: Nestled just behind the town mill, The Ship Inn has a fantastic, welcoming atmosphere and is ideal for a drink on your way into or out of town.

This circular walk lets you enjoy the picturesque town of Lyme Regis, home of famous paleontologist Mary Anning, while having multiple pub options to choose from.

3. Seatown to West Bay Walk

Start: Seatown

End: West Bay

Distance: 3 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights: Golden Cap (highest point on the South Coast), stunning coastal views

Pub Stop: The Anchor Inn, Seatown

Start your walk from The Anchor Inn, a pub with accommodation options and a beautiful seaside setting. This pub is dog-friendly and perfect for a hearty meal before setting off on your hike or enjoy a takeaway pizza from Seatown Slice on the cliffside.

In West Bay:

• Bridport Arms: Located near the harbour with accommodation available. It’s family and dog-friendly with a beer garden.
• West Bay Hotel: Offers accommodation and is close to the beach, making it a convenient and comfortable stop.
• George Hotel: Also provides accommodation and is known for its welcoming atmosphere.

You can choose to walk back to Seatown or stay overnight in West Bay.

4. West Bay to Burton Bradstock Walk

Start: West Bay

End: Burton Bradstock

Distance: 2 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: Coastal path views, Hive Beach

Pub Stop: Three Horseshoes, Burton Bradstock

This charming pub is a short distance from the coast path and offers a quintessentially English pub experience. It’s family-friendly, dog-friendly, and has a lovely beer garden to relax in.

Known for its delicious food, after enjoying your meal, you can either walk back to West Bay or take a short bus ride.

Tips for Walkers

• Dog-Friendly: Most Palmers pubs welcome dogs, especially in outdoor areas.
• Family-Friendly: Many pubs offer family-friendly environments and menus.
• Accommodation: Several Palmers pubs on the Jurassic Coast provide accommodation, making it easy to extend your stay.

Stunning coastline and first-class hospitality.

5. The golden cap figure of eight

Start: Seatown or Symondsbury

End: Seatown or Symondsbury

Distance: 9.59 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights: Golden Cap

Pub stops:

• Anchor Inn, Seatown: A beautiful seaside setting with rooms.
• George, Chideock: A lovely, thatched village pub close to Seatown. Family and dog-friendly with a beer garden.
• Ilchester Arms, Symondsbury: A thatched, quaint village pub with a warm welcome and outside seating.

A fantastic walk which takes in some of the iconic views of West Dorset and some equally iconic Palmers pubs. The walk includes a gentle ascent of Golden Cap, the highest point on the South West Coast Path. A lengthier loop takes in Chideock and could also include local landmark, Colmer’s Hill, which overlooks Symondsbury.

6. Beaminster and back again

Start/ End: As a circular walk, you can start and end wherever you like!

Distance: 8.89 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights: Netherbury and the River Brit

Pub stop:

• Red Lion, Beaminster: Built as an old coaching inn, the Red Lion is a very large pub, where you can expect a warm welcome and hearty, home cooked food.
• Greyhound, Beaminster: A proper pub, with traditional pub games and lovingly home cooked local food.

This picturesque circular walk starts and finishes in Beaminster and takes in traditional village pubs. Between Waytown and Beaminster, the route follows the River Brit past the quintessential West Dorset village of Netherbury. For those who want to stretch their legs a little further, the route can be extended to take in the White Lion Broadwindsor which adds another 2.4 miles.

7. Bridport overhand loop

Start: Bridport bus station or West Bay

End: Bridport bus station or West Bay

Distance: 4.75 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: Pass nine Palmers pubs and the Old Brewery

Pub stops:

• West Bay Hotel
• George Hotel, West Bay
• Bridport Arms, West Bay
• Crown Inn, Bridport: A landmark pub in Bridport, serving food all day from 12pm and with plenty of car parking.
  Lord Nelson, Bridport: A traditional pub in the town, always with a warm welcome and home cooked food offered.
• Ropemakers, Bridport: A unique pub in the heart of Bridport, offering regular open mic and quiz nights, as well as an ever-changing menu.
• Market House, Bridport: Recently renovated, this large family-friendly pub offers an extensive menu and outside seating in the middle of town.
• White Lion, Bridport: A vibrant riverside pub with south facing garden and traditional pizzas all year round.

A circular walk that follows the River Brit and Asker. Taking in the market town of Bridport and Harbour of West Bay, whilst passing nine Palmers pubs and the historic Old Brewery. There are many points to start and finish, you could even find time for a tour of the brewery!