Leave London for Dorset’s wild coast, where chalk cliffs meet a bright, wide sea. At Durdle Door, the great limestone arch frames the water like a doorway to another world. We pause at cliff-top view points for sweeping photos and, if you wish, take the stepped path towards the beach. The coastal air is fresh, the light shifts through the day, and there is ample time to stroll, breathe and take it all in at a calm pace.
A short drive brings us to Corfe Castle, a dramatic ruin set on a high ridge above a neat stone village. Hear stories of kings, sieges and secret routes through the Purbeck hills. Wander the lanes, visit the ruins (ticket needed), and enjoy lunch in a classic inn or tearoom. If timings align, we can add a brief look at the vintage station where steam trains sometimes run, keeping the day flexible and unhurried.
In the afternoon we drift into the New Forest, a patchwork of ancient woodland, open heath and quiet hamlets. Look for free-roaming ponies by the roadside, take a gentle walk under tall oaks, and pause for coffee in a village like Lyndhurst or Brockenhurst. Golden light through the trees makes for fine photos before we turn for a smooth return to London.
