A 2-Hour Escape from London: Cliffs, Coves, and Jurassic Calm

Some weekends call for simplicity. No airports, no overplanning — just a train, a coastline, and space to walk until your thoughts slow down.

 That’s how I ended up on the Jurassic Coast.

It only takes about two hours from London Waterloo to Wool Station by train. From there, a local bus (X50 or 31) drops you right at the entrance to Durdle Door, one of the most iconic landmarks on this stretch of southern England.

I packed light: a jumper, camera, bottle of water, and a snack — all tucked neatly into my lightweight expandable backpack. No gear overload, no aching shoulders. Just ease.

The walk down to Durdle Door is gentle but scenic. As you get closer, the limestone arch suddenly appears, rising from the sea like something ancient and purposeful. The beach below was dotted with people, but it didn’t feel crowded — just calm.

From there, I followed the clifftop path to Lulworth Cove, a perfect circle of clear water cradled by green hills. I had coffee at a tiny café nearby, watched a couple of paddle boarders drift by, and just sat for a while. Sometimes that’s all you need.

If you’re up for more, you can continue east toward Old Harry Rocks — white chalk cliffs that catch the light beautifully — or west toward Chesil Beach, where you might spot fossilized sea life if you’re lucky.

No car needed. No fuss. Just a soft, natural reset by the sea.