Accessible viewpoints in Dorset

There are a number of fantastic viewpoints in Dorset which are accessible to wheelchair users or visitors with mobility problems who find it difficult to walk long distances or on uneven ground.

Located in towns, and along the world famous Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, visitors can see rolling hills, dramatic cliffs and iconic landmarks.

Some of the viewpoints can be reached in a manual wheelchair or standard mobility scooter, and others will need an off-road or all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter. Many of the locations have free Tramper hire when you are a member of Countryside Mobility.

Countryside Mobility membership allows Trampers to be hired at more than 50 locations around the South West (and a few beyond). You can choose from an annual membership, a 2 week membership or a single session. Sometimes Trampers are hired out by the hour at very popular locations such at Lulworth Cove, and advance booking is advised. Please be advised that Trampers are for outdoor use only. To find out more about the vehicles and benefits of membership, you can watch a short YouTube video.

Park Walk and Castle Hill in Shaftesbury

With Shaftesbury being the highest town in Dorset, there are some far-reaching views to be seen of neighbouring villages and the rolling hills beyond.

There are two accessible viewpoints in Shaftesbury – Park Walk and Castle Hill.

You can get access to Park Walk along the pedestrian walkway next to King Alfreds Kitchen café and the Oxfam shop on High Street (postcode SP7 8JS). This tarmac path widens out with Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Gardens on one side and views of Melbury Beacon on the other. There is a panoramic dial pointing towards the different viewpoints in the distance.

Access to Castle Hill is along a public footpath next to the Ambulance Station on Bimport (in between house number 35 and 37), postcode SP7 8AX. There is a flat pavement connecting to here from Bell Street car park, or there is free on-street parking on Bimport at the entrance to the public footpath. There are plenty of benches to sit and admire the views towards Motcombe and Gillingham.

Parking - There is a Pay & Display car park at Bell Street, with 10 accessible parking spaces.

Toilets - Public toilets (including an accessible toilet) are in the Bell Street car park – What 3 Words location: ///expressed.calculate.voters.

Refreshments - There are lots of cafes, pubs and restaurants in Shaftesbury town centre near to High Street. The Grosvenor Arms is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible toilet.

Suitability for manual wheelchairs/standard mobility scooters - Good. Flat routes and dropped kerbs, but sometimes narrow and uneven paths.

Stonebarrow near Charmouth

Part of the Golden Cap Estate, Stonebarrow is managed by the National Trust and has a number of trails suitable for Tramper mobility scooters.

It has views of Lyme Regis to the west and Golden Cap (the highest point on the South West coast) to the east.

Parking - National Trust members and Blue Badge Holders can park in the National Trust car park for free (nearest postcode DT6 6RA or What 3 Words location: ///email.napkins.surpasses). There are designated accessible parking spaces near the Old Radar Station which is where the Tramper is hired from.

Toilets - Free toilets (including an accessible toilet) are open 7 days a week from April to September and weekends in October near the Old Radar Station. They are open when the Crazy Cow kiosk is open.

Refreshments - The Crazy Cow barista coffee trailer is open April to September and weekends in October. This sustainable food and drink outlet sells hot drinks, homemade cakes, ice-cream (including ice-cream for dogs!), has a vegan range and offers discounts on hot drinks when you bring your own reusable cup.

Suitability for manual wheelchairs/standard mobility scooters - All-terrain Tramper mobility scooter required at Stonebarrow. There is 1 Tramper available to hire at Stonebarrow, normally from April to October 7 days a week.

Jurassic Pier at West Bay

The Jurassic Pier at West Bay extends 240 metres out from the promenade which runs alongside the seafront.

It’s a great vantage point to watch the sunsets over Eype in the west, or looking east, you’ll see the famous golden sandstone cliffs of the Jurassic Coast towards Freshwater Beach and Hive Beach.

There are plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the views, as well as accessible picnic benches on the promenade. Beach wheelchairs and a floating wheelchair are also available to hire for free.

If you’re staying at or visiting Highlands End Holiday Park you can hire an all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter and then travel down to West Bay along the South West Coast Path.

Parking - The nearest Pay & Display car parks to the Jurassic Pier with accessible parking are Esplanade Car Park and The Mound Car Park, both are small car parks. There are 3 other car parks at West Bay with accessible parking spaces, located at Quayside car park, Station Yard car park and West Bay Road car park.

Toilets - The nearest free and accessible toilets are located at The Mound (next to Harbour Masters office) – Postcode DT6 4GZ or What3Words location: stiffly.fruits.flaunting. There are also free Changing Places at West Bay Holiday Park and West Bay Road car park.

Refreshments - There are a number of cafes and kiosks between the Pier and the harbourside. The nearest is Windy Corner Café which has wheelchair access at one side, as well as accessible toilets.

Suitability for manual wheelchairs/standard mobility scooters - Very good. Flat routes, easy access and dropped kerbs.

Hive Beach at Burton Bradstock

At Hive Beach you can hire a Tramper mobility scooter to gain access to the South West Coast Path for views towards Golden Cap and Portland Bill. The Tramper is available 7 days a week, from April to October.

Parking - There is a National Trust car park, which is free to National Trust members or Blue Badge Holders (postcode DT6 4RF). There are 8 accessible parking spaces in the car park. The Tramper can be hired from the Welcome Hut in the car park. A gravel path connects the car park, toilets and café.

Toilets - There are free toilets (including an accessible toilet) next to the café, which are only open when the café is open.

Refreshments - Hive Beach Café is located opposite the car park. It has seating inside and outside and has views over the beach.

Suitability for manual wheelchairs/standard mobility scooters - All-terrain Tramper mobility scooter required. At Hive Beach there is 1 Tramper available to hire.

Portland Bill on the Isle of Portland

The red and white lighthouse at Portland Bill is one of Dorset’s most recognised landmarks. The wide flat path from the car park leads straight to the Lighthouse for amazing views of the coast. Please note that the Isle of Portland is not an island, there is a road connecting to it from Weymouth.

Parking - There is a large Pay & Display car park with 9 accessible parking spaces (postcode DT5 2JT).

Toilets - Free public toilets (including an accessible toilet) are located in the car park.

Refreshments - The Lobster Pot Restaurant and Café is opposite the car park and lighthouse. There is a flat path connecting all three locations, with step free access into the café and accessible toilets.

Suitability for manual wheelchairs/standard mobility scooters - Very good. Wide, flat, tarmac paths.

Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole

Perhaps one of the most famous locations on the Jurassic Coast, breathtaking views of Lulworth Cove and nearby Stair Hole are now possible with the use of a Tramper mobility scooter.

Parking - There is a large Pay & Display car park at Lulworth Cove with designated accessible parking spaces (postcode BH20 5RQ).

Toilets - Free toilets (including an accessible toilet) are located next to the car park and Heritage Centre.

Refreshments - There are numerous cafes, restaurants and pubs at Lulworth Cove, most of which have seating inside and outside. The nearest to the car park is Finleys Café which has step free access to one side and an accessible toilet.

Suitability for manual wheelchairs/standard mobility scooters - There is a gravel path connecting the car park to the toilets and Heritage Centre, with a tarmac road leading down to Lulworth Cove. However, if you wish to access the viewpoints, a Tramper mobility scooter is required. There is 1 Tramper available to hire at Lulworth Cove.

Durlston Country Park near Swanage

Durlston Country Park is an award-winning accessible visitor attraction with fantastic views overlooking Swanage Bay.

At this large National Nature Reserve there are 4 accessible routes to choose from including a cliff top trail, woodland trail, meadow trail and lighthouse trail.

Along with Tramper hire, they have a British Sign Language video tour and accessibility guide. The Visitor Centre, Castle and Café are all accessible. There is also an off-road manual wheelchair which can be borrowed for access to the Woodland Trail. Find out about access for all on the Durlston Country Park website.

The Country Park, Visitor Centre and Castle are free entry, however parking charges do apply.

Parking - There is a large Pay & Display car park with accessible car parking spaces (postcode BH19 2JL). A sloping pathway leads from the car park to the Visitor Centre and Castle. Disabled visitors can be dropped off in front of the Castle, or usually Trampers can be brought up to the car park.

Toilets - There are accessible toilets on all levels of the Castle, and also at the Learning Centre near the car park.

Refreshments - Seventh Wave Café inside the Castle is accessible, including access to the outside terrace with wonderful views of the coast. There is an indoor wheelchair available to borrow for the Castle and Café.

Suitability for manual wheelchairs/standard mobility scooters - Standard mobility scooters are able to access the Castle, Visitor Centre and Cafe via the 75 metre sloping path. Manual wheelchair users can also use the sloping path, but will find it difficult to return to the car park, so can be picked up from outside the Castle. If you wish to explore more of the Park, an off-road manual wheelchair or all-terrain Tramper is required. There are 2 Trampers available to hire at Durlston Country Park, as well as a Trekinetic' off-road manual wheelchair.

Old Harry Rocks at Studland

The chalk cliffs of Old Harry Rocks are located at the furthest end of UNESCO’s Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. These rocks are around 66 millions years old and were formed during the Cretaceous period – when Dorset was covered by a warm, tropical sea in which huge marine reptiles swam and hunted for their prey.

These rocks used to be connected to the chalk cliffs on the Isle of Wight (The Needles) which are over 14 miles away.

During the summer, a Tramper mobility scooter is available to hire for access to Old Harry Rocks along the South West Coast Path.

Parking - There is a National Trust car park next to the Bankes Arms pub (postcode BH19 3AU). Parking is free to National Trust members or Blue Badge Holders.

Toilets - There are no accessible toilets at the car park or pub. Accessible toilets are located at Manor Farm Tearoom and at National Trust Knoll Beach Car Park (where there is parking and accessible refreshments). There are public toilets on the track to Old Harry Rocks, but they are not accessible.

Refreshments - There are a number of places to eat and drink at Studland including the Bankes Arms Pub (access inside the pub is via steps), Manor Farm Tearoom, the Sandy Salt Pig at Middle Beach, The Pig on the Beach and Knoll Beach Café.

Suitability for manual wheelchairs/standard mobility scooters - All-terrain Tramper mobility scooter required. There is 1 Tramper available to hire for access to Old Harry Rocks.