The Channel Coast of England offers an array of natural beauty in the form of evergreen, rolling hills in the countryside overlooking the captivating North Sea that sparkles when the sun shines. After falling in love with London, I was sure no other spot in England would fill my soul with gratitude and awe until I took a trip to the South coast of England to Bournemouth, Swanage, West Lulworth, and Durdle Door. From grandeur castles to freshly baked fish n chips, a part of my heart will always remain in the simple beauty of England's South Coast.
To start my coastal adventure, I began with an early morning hike at Durdle Door (yes, the name is actually Durdle Door). Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset, England. It is privately owned by the Weld Family, who own the Lulworth Estate, but it is also open to the public for hiking and tourist attractions. The natural limestone arch formed when the waves' power eroded the rock and forged a hole through the middle. The name "Durdle" derives from an old English word, 'thirl,' which means to pierce, bore, or drill. To start the hike in luscious green fields that morph into magnificent white cliffs falling over the seemingly merciless North Sea is a feeling that can only come from seeing the sight in person. After a way's hike to the infamous "Durdle Door," I was overcome with pride (for hiking that far on eroded beaches because, unfortunately, I dressed for style and not comfort), and I was fascinated that something so beautiful could have only come from the Earth's natural habitation.
There are very few moments in my life where I have stopped to reflect on a moment because I knew the scarcity of that point in time and its pure happiness -- watching the clouds roll into the cliffs and the boats beating on against the shoreline, it was that moment. I believe that in life, it is very rare to find places that stir up feelings of true, genuine happiness that somehow make all the normal thoughts and worries float away for a few minutes; but when we do find those places, we must cherish that feeling and hold onto it so on the bad days we can remember what life's highs and lows entail. Durdle Door is an amazing tourist location for anyone looking to hike 8+ miles along the coast with a salty breeze or take an Instagram-worthy photo with ethereal colors shining from the sky to the sea. To me, however, Durdle Door was a serendipitous experience that brought me back to my inner core and filled me with sunshine throughout because very rarely do we come across such beauty that comes from some of the darkest days.
After hiking some of England's prettiest trails, I needed to fuel my body with nothing better than the English special: fish n chips! While some fruit and granola may have been more nourishing for my body, freshly caught fish and deep-fried chips are more nourishing for the soul -- plus, when close to the ocean, one must seize the opportunity to eat seafood!
As my trusted colleague and best friend (native to England) told me, British Chippy was the place for fish n chips. With an overwhelming amount of fish selections, I went with the classic cod + chips: freshly battered cod with french fries.
Needless to say, best fish n chips ever! While it may not seem difficult to batter up a fish and deep fry some potatoes, using freshly caught fish with the right amount of batter paired with perfectly crisp chips: chef's kiss. I will forever dream about British Chippy and its delectable fish n chips that provided me with comfort and joy.
On my second day exploring England's South coast, I ventured to Corfe Castle, a village and civil parish in the English county of Dorset. It is the site of a ruined castle, and the village and castle stand over a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. With fallen walls and secret hiding places, there are tales of treachery and treason around every corner of the castle, uncovering the ruins of majestic land. Standing 21 metres tall, and positioned atop a 55-metre-high hill, this gleaming tower of Purbeck limestone could be seen from miles around.
After exploring the castle and its history-rich ruins, I was guided by a local to grab tea and a scone at the Courtyard Cafe and Tea Room, a 17th-century courtyard setting with al fresco dining that offers up-close views of Corfe Castle. Getting the opportunity to sip on tea and pick at a fresh scone while watching the castle tower over the seeimgly endless rolling hills was an unforgettable experience.
To end my coastal tour, I ventured to Swanage, a coastal town and civil parish in the south east of Dorset, England. The coastal town of Swanage is pure nostalgia from its steam train rides through the countryside to its seaside resorts, walks along the Victorian pier and gazing out over Swanage Bay from Durlston Castle. With an abundance of ice cream parlors and local shops to thrift gifts and gadgets, Swanage was the perfect location to relax and unwind from a busy few days.
From sitting on the pier and people watching to sipping a morning tea at Middle Beach Cafe, my trip to Swanage was filled with much-needed downtime and the calming noise of waves crashing along the shoreline.
My coastal expenditure opened my eyes to all that England has to offer. From the hustle and bustle of the streets of London to the open blue skies of Dorset that bleed into the North Sea along rocky beaches, England caters to any type of tourist. Getting away for the weekend, stepping back from social media, and connecting with nature was a pick-me-up that was beneficial for my mental health and well-being. Traveling can be exhausting, and sometimes enjoying simple moments is okay. If given the opportunity, I encourage everyone to explore all of England and eat as many exotic and soul-filling foods as possible, all while exploring the country's local culture.
Author Ashley Corso took all photos.
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