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New Year's Eve Walking Holiday - Jurassic Coast & Isle of Purbeck

Join Large Outdoors and a friendly group of fellow walkers for a four-night walking adventure over New Year's Eve. Spend your days exploring the Isle of Purbeck and the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site with our expert guides. Evenings are for unwinding at our hostel, enjoying home-cooked meals and relaxation time. On New Year's Eve, we'll have a celebratory dinner to welcome the new year together.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 4 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 36
Level: Active
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

 

In a Nutshell: 

  • Scenic Base Location: Four-night New Year's Eve adventure based in the seaside town of Swanage, at the eastern end of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, offering a mix of charming pubs, tea rooms, and exploration opportunities.

  • Sociable and Active Experience: Designed for solo travellers, couples, and small groups looking for a friendly way to welcome the new year, with daily excursions led by expert guides to explore the Jurassic Coast and Isle of Purbeck.

  • Diverse Walking Adventures: Options include exploring the eastern edges of the Jurassic Coastline, visiting nature reserves, and historical sites like Corfe Castle, with walks tailored to weather conditions and ranging from 8-14 miles.

  • Special New Year's Celebrations: A celebratory New Year's Eve dinner with plenty of laughs and optional social activities like pub quizzes and charity bingo, set in a sociable and relaxed atmosphere.

 

Book today…

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New Year's Adventure in Swanage: Exploring the Jurassic Coast and Beyond

The seaside town of Swanage serves as our base for this four-night New Year's Eve adventure. Located at the eastern end of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, the area is renowned for its significant geological history and fossil sites, showcasing the earth's ancient past. Swanage boasts charming pubs, tea rooms, a beach, and a promenade, with nearby Durlston Head offering ample exploration opportunities.

This sociable adventure by Large Outdoors is designed for anyone looking for an active and friendly way to welcome the new year - ideal for solo travellers, couples, and small groups of friends. The trip includes meals, four nights in hostel accommodation, and daily excursions with our expert guides to explore the best of the Jurassic Coast. Swanage is situated on the Isle of Purbeck, featuring picturesque villages like Corfe Castle and rolling downlands with panoramic views over the coast and north to Poole Harbour.

If you prefer to take a day for yourself, that’s entirely acceptable too - it's your adventure, after all.

Lulworth Cove on the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

  • Upon your arrival after 5pm, a Large Outdoors host will welcome you. Once checked in, simply make yourself comfortable with a hot drink. The evening's plan is straightforward: enjoy a brew or a drink of your choice and begin unwinding. This is your chance to get acquainted with your fellow adventurers, who are here for the same reasons as you—to embark on a relaxed, sociable, and enjoyable four-night journey, while we handle the logistics.

    Dinner is served at 8pm, after which our hosts will outline the exciting activities planned. Post-dinner, the evening is yours to relax further.

    We’ll be running a limited number of Pickups at 6:30pm from Wareham Train Station, if you’d prefer not to or don’t drive. As places are limited, please select this optional Pickup/Transport ‘Extra’ when booking, subject to availability. It costs £20 per person and includes transport during the trip, and we’ll drop you back off at Wareham Train Station on the morning of Day 5 too.

  • The exact walks during the trip will depend on the weather conditions. We will announce the next day's walk in the evening, allowing you to find out more and, if a choice is offered, sign up to the one you fancy the most. This trip is rated Active (see Large Outdoors Experience Levels explained here), with most walks ranging from 8-14 miles. Even the shorter walks may include ascents along the undulating coastal paths.

    Walk options may include:

    • Durlston and St Alban’s Head: A circular walk starting from the hostel, exploring the eastern edges of the Jurassic Coastline.

    • Shell Bay & Studland: A journey starting with a short bus ride (fare not included) to Studland Heath nature reserve, a blend of salt marshes and sand dunes, then south along the coast to Studland village. The walk continues up to The Foreland for views over Old Harry Rocks before returning to Swanage.

    • Corfe Castle: Taking the Swanage Railway Heritage line to Corfe Castle, this walk starts in the village and follows the local downs with views over Poole Harbour, then back to Swanage (subject to train timetables).

    • Lulworth Cove: A highlight of the Jurassic Coast, this involves a 30-minute drive to Lulworth Cove, encouraging car sharing to save costs and reduce carbon footprint. For those pre-booking the Pickup/Transport ‘Extra’, transport to Lulworth is included. From here, two similar walks are offered, both visiting Durdle Door, with one being slightly longer.

  • After returning from our walks and adventures, you'll have ample time to freshen up and relax before we gather for a social evening meal. Our venue is conveniently located on the edge of Swanage, close to several pubs if you fancy heading out for a pint. Alternatively, you can unwind in the hostel with your preferred drink. We often organise quizzes and the famous Large Outdoors New Year's Eve charity bingo, which are entirely optional – feel free to join in or sit them out as you prefer.

    On New Year's Eve, we'll provide a celebratory dinner to ring in the new year, sharing plenty of laughs with new friends.

  • All good things come to an end, and after enjoying breakfast together, we'll sadly pack up and head our separate ways, feeling refreshed and energised for the year ahead.

    For those who've pre-booked the Pickup/Transport ‘Extra’, we will aim to drop you off at Wareham Train Station by 10am. Please book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility with the return time, as we (sadly!) can’t control the traffic.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time: from 5pm.
    You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

    Pickup (Day 1): We are offering a limited number of Pickups from Wareham Train Station at 6:30pm. As places are limited, please select this optional ‘Extra’ when booking, subject to availability (£20pp, which includes transport during the trip).

    Return (Day 5): If booking the Pickup/Transport ‘Extra’, we will also return you to Wareham Train Station on the final day, by 10am. Please book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility with the return time, as we (sadly!) can’t control the traffic.

    Meeting Location (if not booking a Pickup/Transport):
    YHA Swanage
    Cluny Crescent
    Swanage
    Dorset
    BH19 2BS

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    Parking: Parking is available at the hostel.

    Public Transport: YHA Swanage is located 11.4 miles from Wareham Train Station, with services to/from London Waterloo and Weymouth.

    Please Note: On some days there could be a drive to the start of the walks, we don't include transport (unless you pre-book the Pickup/Transport ‘Extra’) and people normally car share. 

    Finish Time: There are no walks included on Day 5, so this trip finishes after breakfast, with check-out of the accommodation required by 10am.

  • We’ll stay at YHA Swanage on this New Year Walking Holiday. Within a large, sea-facing Victorian villa, the hostel is situated five minutes' walk from the award-winning beach of Swanage. The hilltop location provides spectacular panoramic views of Swanage town and bay.

    Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    Accommodation Address:
    YHA Swanage
    Cluny Crescent
    Swanage
    Dorset
    BH19 2BS

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room
    Twin/Double Room (en-suite)
    Single Room (shared bathroom)

    At this hostel there are primarily Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).
    There are also some Twin/Double Rooms - with a single bed over a double bed, bunk-style - which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are en-suite).
    Single Rooms are for one participant and have a set of bunk beds (bathrooms are shared with other rooms).

  • Included:

    • 4 nights’ accommodation at YHA Swanage.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

    • 3 days (Days 2-4) of guided walks around the Jurassic Coast and Isle of Purbeck.

    • Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on all evenings, with some extra treats to enjoy on New Year’s Eve!

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Days 2-4. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location (but please see the Meeting Location & Time section for details of the Pickup/Transport ‘Extra’ for those wishing to arrive via public transport)

    • Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door (unless you pre-book the Pickup/Transport ‘Extra’). On some days there will be a drive required - participants normally car share.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

    • Can I attend on my own?
      Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    • I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
      Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

    • What transport is provided during this experience?
      We do not provide any transport for this experience (unless you pre-book the Pickup/Transport ‘Extra’ - see Meeting Location & Time section). On some days there will be a drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.

    • Can I bring my dog?
      Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

 

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.