'Mind your manners' Dorset beauty spot owners post-COVID plea
The Lulworth Estate want us to respect the area when lockdown eases
Last updated 26th Feb 2021
Tourists coming to Durdle Door and other Dorset beauty spots are being asked to mind their manners.
It follows large amounts of tourists leaving litter at the end of the first lockdown, including waste, human excrement and even a mattress.
The Lulworth Estate are launching a petition to ask the government to remind tourists to respect beauty spots once we’re allowed to return to them.
They’re asking visitors to stick to these rules:
Firstly, to take home with you what you bring, including picnic rubbish, clothing, nappies, bags, umbrellas, rugs and more. If it is yours, we thank you for looking after it.
• Secondly, not to light fires. Cold or hot takeaway picnics are welcome, but use flasks or insulated containers, not BBQ’s and open fires that can ignite large swathes of the Countryside.
• Thirdly, be prepared. Wear good sturdy shoes to the countryside and beach. No-one wants their day trip to end with a long ambulance wait for a broken ankle. The NHS are already under immense pressure.
They want the government to make an announcement asking us to act responsibly at beauty spots.
Maddy Pfaff is the Lead Ranger at the Lulworth Estate. She says:
“At the end of lockdown, obviously we experienced a big influx of people to the area. Particularly this beach at Durdle Door was very, very busy and some of the people who came didn’t take their possessions home with them.
“The beach itself and the view is absolutely stunning, and that does attract a lot of people. The arch itself seems to be a big draw.
“The idea that people will come here and then not respect the place as much as we would like, I think that’s down to just their general attitude day to day and we would love it if people could take a little more responsibility, protect the world heritage site, respect our environment and take their litter home.”