Cliff drive park

The coastal path here delivers proper dramatic views without requiring a scramble up some impossible hillside. Cliff Drive Park runs along the clifftops above Swanage, and it's the kind of walk where you genuinely understand why people relocate to Dorset for good.

It's a nature reserve rather than a manicured park, which means you get wildflowers in late spring, gorse scrub that smells like coconut, and the Jurassic coastline doing its geological thing below you. The cliff face itself tells the story - layers of different rock ages stacked like a geological cake. Most people allow an hour to ninety minutes depending on fitness and how often they stop to look at things.

Walkers will absolutely have their box ticked here. It's exposed when the wind picks up, and comfortable shoes are non-negotiable given the terrain. Families with young children might find the clifftop setting a bit nerve-wracking - it's not fenced, and the drops are real. Geology enthusiasts and photographers will linger longest, especially if you know your Cretaceous from your Jurassic periods.

If you're staying at Ulwell Holiday Park just outside Swanage, this is a genuine highlight within easy striking distance. The walk can be done year-round, though spring through early autumn offers the best light and wildflower display. No facilities on the path itself, so grab supplies from Swanage beforehand. Bring layers - the top can be windier than you'd expect standing at ground level.