Durdle Door

The first record of the name appears in 1811 when it was called Dirdale Door. This appears to be a corruption of a far older name perhaps meaning The hill with a hole.

The natural rock arch is a remnant of the hard limestone cliff which protected the chalk behind. Apart from a few outlying rocks all the limestone west of here has gone and the sea is slowly eating into the chalk ridge. Eventually the bays from here to Lulworth and beyond into Warbarrow bay will merge leaving a remnant reef offshore.

Stay at The Priory Hotel when you visit Durdle Door
Next: Durlston
Sources.