Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve

The walk along this stretch of Dorset coast is properly dramatic. You're threading through a nature reserve that feels half-forgotten, where the cliffs have collapsed into a jumbled landscape of ravines, dense woodland and tumbling rock - it's nothing like the manicured clifftop paths you get elsewhere along the south coast.

Starting from Axmouth or approaching via Lyme Regis, the trail winds through thick undergrowth and down into valleys carved by ancient landslides. The geology is extraordinary if you're into that sort of thing: you can see the layers of sandstone and shale stacked like a badly arranged library. Wildlife types will appreciate the rare plants and butterflies that thrive in this protected, undisturbed space.

It's not a casual stroll. The terrain is uneven and steep in places, with scrambling involved, so proper footwear matters. Budget two to three hours if you're doing the full route between the two towns - you could also do shorter loops. The reserve is free to access and open year-round, though winter can be slippery and muddy.

This works beautifully as part of a longer Dorset coastal break, especially if you're based at Seadown or Newlands Holiday Parks near Bridport - both are within easy reach. Families with older kids who don't mind getting mucky will love it more than those wanting an easy meander. It's genuinely one of the few stretches of England's coast that still feels wild.