We have improved our walking grade scale. Read more
■ Location: Dorset
■ Duration: 5 nights
■ Board Basis: Full Board
■ Travel Dates: May-Sep 2027
■ Itineraries available: 1
■ Choice of Walking Grades: 4 & 7 details
■ Carbon Footprint: 110kg CO2 details
Non-members From
£1,099
ppMembers From
£1,069
ppMembers Save £30 on this booking and get a whole range of extra exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. details
From September 2026, we have expanded our walking grade scale from 6 to 10 points. While the holidays themselves have not changed (the routes, daily distances and ascent levels remain the same), our newly expanded 1-10 scale offers greater distinction between holidays and clearer grade descriptions, so you can choose a holiday that best suits you.
Gentle walking grade 4
The most active Gentle grade, with longer walks, some ascent, and possible steps, stiles, or off-path uneven ground. Typically, 6-7 miles (10-12km) with around 1,000ft (300m) of ascent.
Moderate walking grade 7
The most active moderate grade. Longer distances and short but steep ascents and descents possible throughout the day. Hill walking experience desirable. Typically, 11-12 miles (18-19km) with around 1,800ft (560m) of ascent.All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Check in at the hotel is available from 3pm. Your leaders will be at reception at 6:30pm to meet the group and to give you a quick introduction to the holiday before dinner.
Distance: 7½ miles (11.5km)
Ascent: 670 feet (205m)
Descent: 1020 feet (310m)
Walking right from our door, we head out to Golden Bowl and Houns Tout for excellent views from St Aldhelm's Head in the east to Portland Bill in the west. We then descend gradually on a new path towards
Chapman’s Pool before making our way inland via the Purbeck Way and Corfe Common to Corfe Castle Village where there will be plenty of time to explore. Relax in sun outside one of Corfe's cafes, watch for steam trains, or visit the romantic ruins of Corfe Castle, before a short ride on the local bus takes us back to our hotel.
Distance: 10 miles (16km)
Ascent: 1,330 feet (410m)
Setting off on our walk direct from the hotel door, we’re treated to a circular route that takes in Swyre Head – the highest point on the Isle of Purbeck – and picturesque Kimmeridge Bay, where a giant pliosaur skull was discovered in 2022. There’s time to take a peek inside the Wild Seas centre, which will reveal what nature to look out for on our walks over the next few days.
Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Ascent: 790 feet (250m)
Walk from the village of Langton Matravers to the coast at Dancing Ledge, a popular spot for rock climbers. From here we head east along the South West Coast Path, with time to visit the Durlston Castle visitor centre before continuing to Swanage. We’ve time to explore this traditional seaside resort with its beach, pier and steam railway.
Distance: 11 miles (18km)
Ascent: 1,590 feet (490m)
Departing from the door of the hotel again today, we’ll head down to the coast towards pretty Chapman’s Pool and St. Aldhelm’s Head. From here the route follows the South West Coast Path, passing old quarries and Dancing Ledge to reach Swanage.
Distance: 6½ miles (10 ½ km)
Ascent: 940 feet (290m)
Enjoy a stunning variety of inland and coastal scenery today. Our walk from Corfe Castle to Studland follows the glorious chalk ridge along the spine of the Purbeck peninsula, with the views getting ever more impressive as we near our destination. Panoramic views stretch north over Poole Harbour, and south to the English Channel.
Distance: 11 miles (17 ½ km)
Ascent: 1,260 feet ascent (390m)
Decent:1,560 feet descent (480m)
Leaving directly from our hotel, we’ll walk over rolling countryside to Corfe with its romantic castle ruins and steam railway. We cross the railway then take a fabulous chalk ridge along the spine of the Purbeck peninsula to Ballard Down and the coast at Old Harry Rocks. On a fine day you’ll see as far as the Needles on the Isle of Wight.
Distance: 7½ miles (12km)
Ascent: 1,200 feet (370m)
There’s a trio of highlights today; the pretty smuggler’s cove of Osmington, the iconic Durdle Door limestone arch, and the teardrop-shaped Cove. The section from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove is a busy one, but we’ll see why when we get there. Be sure to bring your camera for plenty of photos.
Distance: 9 miles (14½ km)
Ascent: 1,770 feet (540m)
Starting from the edge of Weymouth we pass through the smuggler’s haunt of Osmington Mills and follow the fabulous roller coaster coast path all the way to Lulworth Cove. Tick off the geological wonders of Durdle Door and Stair Hole along the way.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before check-out at 10:30am.
Your stay is full-board. This includes daily breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals.
If you wish to travel by public transport, please see below
Travelling from the west: the nearest train mainline railway station is Wareham. Catch the number 40 bus from Wareham station to Kingston, there is a bus stop directly outside the Kingston Country Courtyard.
Travelling from the east: take the train to Bournemouth, then catch the number 50 bus to Swanage, then transfer there for the number 40 bus to Kingston. The number 40 bus stops directly outside the hotel.
Weather conditions in the UK can vary throughout the day, and conditions in the mountains may be cold and windy even in summer. Use the following list as a guide when preparing for your holiday.
Essentials
Suitable waterproof walking boots with ankle support and good grip
Waterproof, wind-resistant jacket with a hood, taped seams and a hydrostatic head rating of at least 10,000 mm
Waterproof overtrousers
Spare warm clothing, such as a synthetic insulated jacket
Comfortable walking clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)
Warm mid-layers, such as fleeces
Gloves and a warm hat, even in summer
Rucksack with a waterproof liner
Water bottle with a capacity of at least 1 litre
Flask for hot drinks
Sunscreen
UV-protective sunglasses
Spare high-energy food
Head torch and spare batteries for holidays between October and March
Passport (if applicable)
Visa (if applicable)
Copy of your travel insurance policy
Recommended
Several base layers, with long or short sleeves
Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters
First-aid kit, including plasters, insect repellent, a midge net and a tick-removal tool
Sit mat
Waterproof pouch for valuables
Rubbish bags
Wallet or purse
Camera
Walking poles
Sun hat
Gaiters
Mobile Phones
Swimwear (please see accommodation information for hotel facilities)
Membership cards for English Heritage, the National Trust or similar heritage organisations in Scotland and Wales, if you are a member. These may be useful when visiting attractions during your itinerary or on your free day.
Walks may be changed for safety reasons and are subject to a maximum and minimum number of guests.
Leaders always consider the safety of the group as a whole, and may need to alter or curtail the walk if the conditions dictate. Your leader may refuse to accept a guest where clothing, equipment or behaviour is unsuitable. In the event of a problem all leaders carry a mobile phone, first aid kit, group shelter, spare maps and a compass.
Please note: If you choose to leave the group your leader is no longer responsible for you.
If you have a particular health condition or disability please put this on your guest registration form. This information will be confidential to your leaders and the house manager, but leaders do need to take account of any issues when planning walks. Please carry a copy of these trip notes with you, or note down the contact phone number for your accommodation (details in the travel section) should you need them in case of emergency.
We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.
Learn moreCode: DOC05-BTB11
Dates & availability
Dorset Guided Walking
5 nights. Trip notes
Non-members
£1,099
ppMembers
£1,069
pp5 nights. Trip notes
Non-members
£1,099
ppMembers
£1,069
pp£1,399
pp£1,369
pp
We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.
Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.
Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent, group and self-guided bookings).
If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday
If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests
We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations
If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday
A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience
Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries
Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members
© 2026 HF Holidays Limited. Registered in England, number 5713R. VAT Number 125 4899 87. All Rights Reserved.
Start your next adventure.
Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to save a holiday to your wishlist.
