When the summer holidays are over it makes like so much easier for us to drive across to West Dorset and take in some of the most beautiful scenery around the UK. Driving around is easier and parking easier also.

One nice day out is to drive to Wareham for a short stop and look around. They have a market down by the Quay on Saturdays, which also as a nice riverside walk as well as bars for food and drink.

There is a fantastic deli called the Salt Pig. We haven't sat down for food or coffees yet as it is fairly small and so busy all the time. They have fresh seafood in the window and quality meat inside.

Next stop is Lulworth Cove. When the sun is out, or as long as it is not wet and cold, sitting down in the cove eating fish and chips and taking in the views is great. For the first time we actually ventured across the pebbles and went round to the left, as normally we take a short right and sit on the wall there. We didn't quite make it right to the end where all the exposed strata is this time, but maybe next. Will need better walking shoes.

So, that was a new view for us since we moved down in 1996. We are a bit slow at this sightseeing thing.

Having already parked up, we chose 2-4 hours option as if you want to take a walk to Durdle Door then you don't want to be rushing back, we headed off with Durdle Door in mind.

Do wear some sensible shoes (big trainers) or boots for walking, even in summer.

They have made the initial path up very robust now so less of an issue with footholding. They haven't done anything with the steepness unfortunately :-)

After not too long you will get to the path near the camp site that leads down to Durdle Door. It is also pretty steep and chalky. If you didn't want to do the walk from Lulworth Cove, there is a car park right by that you can use. Once you have made it down, there was a trailer there serving drinks and snacks that you could could yourself to for making it so far.

You then get to see the two halfs. On the left is a cove called Man of War and then to the right is Durdle Door itself. Make sure you walk down to both and have a good look around.

When we went, the "steps" down to Man of War were holding up and made it easier to get onto the pebble beach. Now here you can get right close up and personal with the strata. Amazing to see the curvature of the layers of rock, which is pretty extreme in places.

Then it is over to Durdle Door. I think I must have previously only looked at it from above as maybe the friends that were with us could not walk down. However, this time we did get down onto the beach. It was late September so not chock full of people, it was also late afternoon on a slightly grey day but it was pretty magical. It's taken 18 years of living down here before I have sat down and stared at Durdle Door from the beach.

The people that were there were just enjoying it as much as we were. Actually more so as they were in the sea, children and parents. That was really nice to see. I wish we had a picnic and champagne!

I'm looking forward to doing it again.