Top 6 Caves in Dorset

Stair Hole is a fascinating and impressive place on the Jurassic Coast in southern England that is definitely worth a visit. The cliffs and rocks that jut out into the sea here are breathtakingly beautiful and provide a dramatic backdrop for photographers and nature lovers. Particularly impressive is the natural rock formation that leads into the water like a staircase (hence the name) – a real highlight for any visitor. The area is perfect for coastal walks, where you can enjoy the fresh sea air and admire the impressive natural surroundings. Stair Hole is a place that combines tranquility and beauty and leaves a lasting impression. An absolute must for anyone who wants to experience the wild beauty of the English coast!

A wonderful area. Breathtaking views of the cliffs and the sea; it's worth coming here for hiking and, in the summer, definitely for swimming. I recommend staying at the nearby Durdle Door Holiday Park.

https://hoofhike.com/

The quarry caves are closed now due to rock falls. And if you weren't aware, there is a bat cave located just off the main path as you go up the steep hill to the east, home to the Greater Horseshoe bat.

Kayakers often drive through the small cave. It is beautiful to look at and the colorful kayaks with the turquoise sea make a beautiful photo opportunity

Old disused quarry

Quirky Dorset 25 – The Smugglers’ Cave – – – Exploring The Countryside and Lanes of Dorset – – – Continuing our theme of quirky things in Dorset – I think this must be Quirky Dorset Part 25 🙂 – we return to the coast, and a very hidden part of the Jurassic Coast too. And we are visiting another part of Dorset with a really adventurous past……..ah, if only rocks could talk! This is the Smugglers’ Cave. The Smugglers’ Cave The Smugglers' CaveThe Smugglers’ Cave The Smugglers’ Cave is situated in a tucked away position in Mupe Bay, or to be more exact, Bacon Hole, which is a tiny bay just west of Mupe Bay. It is rugged and remote, miles away from the nearest town or road. The only way here is on foot and that is no easy walk either, and there is no way down from the cliff top above other than to continue east to access the beach at Mupe Bay and then retrace your steps back along the rocky shore. You could easily miss this cave as it is not easily visible from the coast path and even from the waters edge, it is still not obvious. It is sited a couple of miles east of Lulworth Cove and village and it is fairly clear why this would be a good choice for smugglers to land and store their contraband ready for onward movement inland. Goods such as brandy, wine and tea would have been landed in this sheltered cove and moved swiftly into the cave under cover of darkness. The entrance to the cave slopes at a forty five degree angle because of the way the strata has been crumpled and upturned along this part of the coast. As you enter the mouth, you can spot the false back wall with its small square door in the gloom. It was behind this wall that the contraband would have been stored, protected from the elements.

Cave Hole is a large cave on the south east side of the Isle of Portland, a large peninsular in Dorset, England. It has a blowhole and a wooden crane, known as Broad Ope Crane on the cliff top. It is 1⁄2 mile (800 m) north-east of Portland Bill, has an interior measuring 50 feet (15 m) square and 21 feet (6.4 m) high.[1] The Blow Hole of Cave Hole. Cave Hole was earlier known as Keeve's Hole and regularly featured in recorded history and wider lore of smuggling. It is made up of a series of caves with steep roof sections, tunnels and ledges, and represents the first stage in cave collapse. The cave and its surrounding area is frequently used for deep-water soloing. The cave's blowhole, which stretches far into the solid rock, was formed when the roof of the cave was broken through to the surface. For the protection of people looking down into the cave, an iron grill has been installed across it. Whenever a powerful easterly gale occurs, the sea shoots up through the fissures. Various small craft have been driven into the cave by east and south easterly gales, the largest of which was a 40-ton vessel from Cowes in 1780. Frank and Ann Davison were shipwrecked at the cave in 1949. The pair had set sail for the West Indies. Frank drowned but Ann managed to scramble ashore. A local tale has long reputed that the cave is home to Roy Dog - a black dog, "as high as man, with large fiery eyes, one green, one red". It is said that the creature emerges from the watery depths to seize any traveler passing by Cave Hole and drags them down into his dark watery domain.